National Weather Service to build station at Ontonagon marina

ONTONAGON — Ontonagon residents will be able to get their marine weather information close to home under an agreement signed by the Ontonagon Village Council Monday.

The village agreed to lease village property at the Ontonagon marina to the National Weather Service so a weather station can be constructed there.

The agreement permits the NWS to locate a maritime observation system and equipment at the marina to measure tides, currents, water and air temperatures, barometric pressure and wind along the Ontonagon River 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The station not cost to the village anything and the NWS will do all the maintenance.

On a split vote the council refused the request to waive the Cane Court portion of payment in lieu of taxes for one year as requested by manager Sally Jarvi. The waiver would give the complex approximately $7,500 to purchase items the housing unit needs, Jarvi said.

Several council members said they had not seen the housing proposed budget for the coming year, which Jarvi said had been provided them. The request was defeated 3-2 with Village President Ken Waldrop absent and councilman Junior Marks abstaining because he has family living in the complex. Councilmen Tony Smydra, Donald Chastan and Mike Mogan voted no, and councilmen John Hamm and Bruce Seid voted yes.

Sis Warren requested the village apply for a grant from the Portage Health Foundation to refurbish the equipment area of the playground located at the now abandoned former grade school. Manager Joe Erickson said the old school building and grounds are expected to go on the tax sale the early part of next year and would probably go back to the village. The manager will look at the information and make the application prior to the July 14 deadline.

The village water line was found to be the major cause of the sinkholes on Rockland Road, Steel Street and U.S. 45. The village is responsible for 70 percent of the cost of the repairs coordinated by MDOT. The village share is expected to be $25,000.

In other action, Erickson reported:

—The village has received 15 applications for the utility billing payroll clerk position and will meet  with the personnel committee this week to finalize candidates for interviews.

—The SPORT ride held two weeks ago had almost 100 riders in the village and a bass fishing tournament made a $350 donation to the marina.