It was the swan song meeting for Wayland City Manager Josh Eggleston, who received a lot of farewell wishes Monday night from members of the City Council 

Eggelston will finish his duties here until Monday, Aug. 5, when he leaves to become the first-ever township manager for Zeeland Township. He already lives in Zealand, which was one huge reason why he took the post after serving as Wayland’s city manager for six years.

It’s kind of bittersweet, Eggelston told the council. “But I’ve enjoyed my time here.”

“This city owes you a great deal in herring our finances in order,” Mayor Pro Tim Joe Kramer told Eggleston. 

However, Eggleston will leave a task for Interim City Manager for the street reconstruction and paving project on Park, Church, Clark and Mill streets on the northwest section of town.

Though trees have been cut down to make way for sidewalks, there has been some question about West Elm, brought up earlier this month by an Elm Street resident.

Eggleston said Elm never was never a part of the project plans, but said for an extra $150,000 the city could apply two inches of asphalt on a small area in the middle of the street to make ends connect, which will give the street another five to seven years of life.

Council members were not sold.

“Will two inches of blacktop stand up to truck traffic?” asked Kramer.

Council Steve Stepek said he didn’t think the patch job was a good idea, especially when there are other street projects that need attention.

Mayor Jennifer Antel said not doing patchwork on the small section “What we’re not doing is the worst section of the road.”

Eggleston said the interim manager could request of Brenner Construction a price bid when he arrives in the first week of August.

The project is backed by a local capital improvements bon and a state grant.

In other business Monday evening, the City Council:

• Approved a five-year extension for the city police department’s wages and benefits. Eggleston said officers will get raises of 5.75, 5, 3 1/2 and two and a half in the first years of the pact.
• Noted a couple of letting of bids for the city’s upcoming sale of surplus goodies because they are worth more than $200 apiece. The items are an old fire truck and skate park equipment. It was estimated that the old truck might bring in $20,000.