Bessemer Township to receive new 2015 Ford truck

RAMSAY — The Bessemer Township board met on Monday night to discuss new business including garbage concerns, health insurance and tax collection.

Communications and reports were put on file and there was no unfinished business.

Supervisor Jeffrey Randall informed the board that the Bessemer Township Planning Commission will meet tonight at 5 p.m. in Ramsay, but that it should be a shorter meeting.

Also, the township will soon be receiving the truck they ordered earlier this year.

Bidding for the vehicle was originally sent out in August, with only one bid response. The 2015 Ford F250 was purchased from Ashland Ford in Ashland, Wis., for $23,738.

The truck is heavy duty, extended cab, has a full-size box and has four-wheel drive. The finishing touches were being put on recently and the truck should be delivered this week, Randall said.

New Business

In new business, Randall said the U.S. Department of Agriculture is requiring the township to get at least a two-year commitment for an auditor. The job will be sent out for bids.

The board will also be publishing a notice of intent to issue revenue bonds. The bonds would help to pay for the sewer project, which will improve the sewage disposal system, the lift station, and additional equipment and improvements in Bessemer Township.

The board also discussed garbage collection truck repairs and holiday schedule. The garbage truck recently had to be repaired, as part of the truck had rusted and subsequently broke. The total cost for repair was $3,214.65. They also will be listing the holiday garbage pick-up schedule in the newspaper soon.

The purchase of a new copier for the township was also approved for $5,640 with no service contract. The current copier has seen over 250,000 copies go through, said treasurer Jerry Grenfell. They will be selling the old copier at some point as well.

Health insurance rates have also increased for township employees. The increases ranged from 1.1 to 6.9 percent.

“Honestly, compared to some of the increases we’ve had in the past, this is very, very low,” said trustee Hope Tarnaski.

No board action was required on this matter.

The Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District proposed to collect summer taxes in the area under the present contract, which indicates a one percent reimbursement for collection of their taxes. The board approved this measure with no opposition.

Historical artifacts

After final business, Randall showed the board and those in attendance three different historical pieces that have been given to the township.

First, he presented a pencil drawing of the Eureka Mine, which was part of the Castile Mining Company. The drawing was done in 1937 by E. M. Jackson and included the mine shaft, mine carts, cars and more.

Randall hopes to get the drawing cut and framed to preserve it.

Second, he showed a township planning map from 1934 that was given by Gretchen Johnson.

Finally, he held up a Ramsay Raiders hockey jersey from 1956 to 1957. According to the individual who gave the jersey, the #13, green and white, long-sleeve shirt was worn by Jr. Luezo and Tom Mackinen.

Randall wants to have the jersey delicately cleaned and framed as well.

After the presentation of the three pieces, there was some discussion about possibly repairing the basketball court in Ramsay.

There will be no meeting in two weeks as there usually is because of the Christmas holiday.

The next meeting is set for Jan. 12.