City street projects out for bids; deadline May 16

by Peter Jakey-Managing Editor

The Onaway City Commission is moving forward with street improvement projects as they approved a resolution to start the bidding process.

City manager Joe Hefele said the commission went over a priority list at a recent planning workshop and looked at multiple sections throughout town and discussed which ones to do this year.

Hefele and the commission are focusing on (listed in priority order) North Elm between Spruce and Cedar; North Veterans between State and Spruce; along with North Veterans between Spruce and Cedar.

“All three are in rough shape, which is why they were at the top of the street capital improvement list,” said Hefele. The city committed to reconstruct and pave North Elm last year, having done the southern section of North Elm several years ago.

The plan will be to utilize the contractor doing the milling on 638 and Glasier Highway for the Presque Isle County Road Commission. The 638 and Glasier work may begin as soon as the frost laws come off.

Gravel would be hauled in and spread over the road in advance by Rob Northcott. The gravel and existing blacktop then would be crushed up together to produce the new road base.

“We would have to install some storm drain,” said Hefele during Monday’s city commission meeting.

As for the fine grading and paving, the city manager will bid the three sections of road separately and collectively to give the flexibility to eliminate a section if need be, “while also giving us the opportunity to get the best possible price,” stated Hefele in his manager’s report.

“Once I get the bids, I will be able to bring them back and then we would actually be awarding the job,” said Hefele.

The deadline is May 16 at noon. The motion was approved 4-0. Mayor Gary Wregglesworth was absent.

IN OTHER business:

• The Onaway Area Fire Department plans to burn down the houses acquired as tax foreclosures (South Third and South Veterans) on April 26. City staff asked the department to contact neighboring property owners.

• A small section of water main froze

and broke April 14. The DPW used valves to shut the section of pipe down and repaired the main the next day.

Because of the elimination of all pressure on the main, 12 households in this area were on a boil-water advisory until they could get two clean samples 24 hours apart.

Hefele said it was the first boil-water advisory in his dozen years.

Some commission members commented on other leaks; however, Hefele said that does not always necessitate an advisory. The DPW attempts to make repairs “under pressure.”

“Communities all over are going to experience problems,” said Hefele.

• Spring 2014 leaves and brush pick-up has been scheduled the week of May 12.