Street repair, resurfacing costs less than expected

“We sure could use a little good news today.” — Anne Murray.

Wayland City Manager Josh Eggleston reported to the City Council Monday a little good news about the estimated cost of street repairs and resurfacing for Park, Mill, Elm and Church streets on the north side of town.

Eggleston said the cost estimates came in at about $475,000 that what was anticipated, originally a more than $3 million price tag. The city a couple of months ago learned it had won a $250,000 Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) grant to resurface, repair and repave Mill, Elm, Church and Park streets.

Residents in that area had been clamoring for something to be done because of a plethora of potholes.

Even Mayor Jennifer Antel commented Monday night that she had noticed the rough terrain on her many running exercises.

Eggleston added that it was possible, but not likely that the grant amount could be reduced slightly.

In other business Monday evening, the City Council:

• Adopted ordinances permitting solar panels on residences’ roofs and rezoning the parcel at 795 Reno Drive from PERC to industrial. A proposed ordinance too allow accessory buildings in residential areas was tabled because the size limit hasn’t they been determined.
• Adopted a resolution to apply for a $5,000 PAR insurance grant partially to pay for barricades to protect from unwanted motorist intrusion in the downtown four corners at Summerfest.
• Approved distribution service materials inventory and asset management program from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) for a water study.
• Approved the rehabilitation of Water Well Pump No. 5.
• Learned from City Clerk Lee Ann Clausen there were only 47 citizens who participated in the early voting period for the presidential primary. She added that the early voting system will not be used for4 the special Wayland Union school district election May 2 because it is strictly a local election.
• Was told by Police Chief Scott Matice that the local department already has handled 151 calls more than this time last year, the first two months.