·Tom's Time·
March 18, 2010
Sixty-Five Degrees in mid-March! Incredible! This spring weather at the end of winter is spoiling us. I sure hope we don’t pay the price later this spring with cold, wet weather.
For the latest West Branch area weather forecast, please visit www.weather.com/local/48661.
At our most recent City Council meeting, Council approved the MDNR Trust Fund grant application following a public hearing on the proposed Rivertrail project. The project will include construction of approximately 1,400 feet of a new Rivertrail section, going from the bridge at Houghton Avenue to North Fourth Street. The estimated cost is approximately $ 286,000 with the City requesting a grant in the amount of $ 171,600 and applying a local match of $ 114,400. The City has received much community support for the Rivertrail project and we look forward to a successful grant application. The application is due by April 1st.
The City is waiting to hear word on our CDBG ICE grant application. This project included replacement of water main and street resurfacing of five City blocks, including a portion of North and South 8th Street, South Fifth Street, North 3rd Street and North 2nd Street, all blocks adjacent to Houghton Avenue. The City should find out if we are approved for funding for this project by the beginning of April.
The City will soon be taking
bids for the pavement of the alley between North Fourth and North Fifth Streets. This project is part of the water project the City is
completing. A new water main was
installed in the alley this past fall/winter and gravel was put down until
paving could be completed. More
information regarding the bid process for this project will be in next week’s
“Ogemaw County Herald” and also will be available at City Hall.
The sewer main replacement project continues to make progress, especially with the good weather we have had recently. We are looking forward to completion of the sewer main project by end of April assuming we continue to receive good weather. Work continues at the WWTP even with weight restrictions on the local roads. Please check this website for new photos of progress at the plant.
If you have any questions or
concerns or even a comment regarding any City business or issues, please feel
free to contact me at tyouatt@westbranch.com.
I always appreciate hearing from you.
Also, my Spartans open their annual NCAA tournament run tomorrow, so tune in to the always exciting tournament.
Q u o t e
o f t h e W e e k:
“As
sure as spring will follow the winter, prosperity and economic growth will
follow recession.”
-Bo Bennett