COVER PHOTO: New Wayland Police Chief Scott Mattice (right) was presented with a plaque from Sheriff Frank Baker for his 27 years of service as a deputy, sergeant, lieutenant and captain of the Allegan County Sheriff’s Department. Baker told the City Council, “He (Mattice) will serve you well because he served us well.”

Some residents of the City of Wayland may be encouraged to learn that the City Council Monday night adopted a resolution to seek Category B funds for delayed street projects in the northwest part of town.

City Manager Josh Eggleston said improvement and paving projects for Park, Church, Elm and Vine streets had two be mothballed several years ago because of lack of funding and being replaced by the Main Street project.

A number of citizens have complained about the condition of the four streets, which in recent years have only received patchwork.

There is, of course, no guarantee the city will be rewarded any grant funding, which would apply to the year 2024.

Meanwhile, council adopted a resolution to sell about $1.2 million in bonds to pay for the Main Street project currently under way. South Main is being reconstructed and repaved for installation of a middle third lane for left turns from Sycamore Street to the south city limits at 133rd Avenue.

Eggleston insisted the stretch of road is impassible, yet some motorists have attempted to cross the street, prompting him to comment, “For people who have tried to cross, it didn’t turn out very well for them.”

In other business at Monday night’s meeting, the council:

• Approved spending $4,000 over three years to subscribe to a tech service that enables the public to get timely public notices about city developments, which Eggleston called, “a good communications tool.” Citizens will be asked to sign up to receive the information.
• Learned from Gail Hollinger that the Tree Board formed several years ago has fizzled out and as far as she knows, she’s the only member.

“The last one (board we had, had no budget and no authority.”

Furthermore, the Tree Board has never had a meetings.

She told the council she would be willing to recruit new members and begin the serious business of having meetings attempting to help set policies.

• Approved street closures of Main and Superior for next weekend’s start of the Summerfest celebration.