Wayland City Manager Josh Eggleston Monday night told the City Council he expects cleanup and removal of brush will take at least another week in the wake of the fierce summer storm Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
High winds caused considerable damage with felled trees and branches, which now grace the sides of many city streets.
Eggleston said the city’s one-ton dump truck is hauling away the debris and he asked residents to be patient with the operations.
Councilman Joe Kramer praised the efforts of emergency services personnel and Department of Public Works employees to handle the problems.
Councilman Rick Mathis added his appreciation to New Life Church on Pine Street for offering electronic recharging services to local residents who lost power during two consecutive days of storms and outages.
In other business at Monday’s meeting, the council:
- Fielded a request for 10% of anticipated American Rescue Plan funding to help restructure the new Allegan County Community Mental Health facility in the former Shopko building in Allegan. Executive Director Mark Witte said he is asking every city, village and township in the county to help with the project.
- Noted there will be a retirement party from noon to 2:0 p.m. Sunday at the fire station for retiring Fire Chief Joe Miller, who is stepping away after 49 years with the department
- Adopted a resolution thanking students from the Wayland Carpenters and Millwrights Training Center for helping with constructing a new pavilion at City Park.
- Agreed to let New Life Church to use the parking lot on the north side of Pine Steeet for its back-to-school celebration Wednesday, Aug. 25.
- Approved Mayor Tim Bala’s suggested appointments to a Master Plan Steering Committee.