Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By RICHARD JENKINS
Ironwood Township — The Ironwood Township Board of Trustees agreed Monday to draft a letter of support for a request from the Gogebic Country Club to reduce the speed limit on Country Club Road.
“It wouldn’t hurt, I think, for us to include a letter of support,” said Trustee Steve Boyd. “I think their reasoning is very good, and it is dangerous.”
According to information at the meeting, the speed limit for the specific section of road is 50 mph.
According to a letter from the club, the organization is requesting the speed limit be reduced to 25 to 30 mph for the section between U.S. 2 and “at least Newport Street.”
“Pedestrians and golf carts cross the road next to the restaurant throughout the year,” said club President Cheryl Carr, in a letter to the board. “During the summer months in particular, (the current speed limit) becomes a real hazard as vehicle traffic cresting the hill is often exceeding a speed which would allow them to stop or slow down for anyone crossing the road.
“The sight distance on the southbound lane is limited by the crest of the hill. Anyone crossing the lanes is hidden behind the crest and likewise, those crossing cannot see vehicles approaching from the north.”
Carr’s letter was also addressed to city of Ironwood officials and the Gogebic County Road Commission.
The request will now likely be studied by the Michigan State Police and the road commission, according to township Supervisor Alan Baron, before any changes are made.
In other action:
— The board approved Ordinance 54 that grants a 0 percent Payment in Lieu of Taxes for the Mill Trace Apartments. The ordinance establishes an agreement between the township and the Upper Peninsula Commission for Area Progress — which owns the apartment complex — where UPCAP pays zero percent of the roughly $245,200 collected in rent from the property in exchange for not paying the $20,390 it currently pays in taxes. Rather, the agreement has UPCAP pay the township a fee of $2,500. The ordinance includes language that requires UPCAP begin planned improvements to the property within two years of signing the agreement or the PILOT is eliminated. At previous meetings, UPCAP representatives said the agreement was crucial to ensuring the complex remains open and the ordinance will allow the group to also seek grant funding.
— The board approved spending $5,000 for security upgrades to the township hall. Trustee Kathy Maki voted against the motion, she questioned whether the planned improvements were the best solution to any potential security issues.
— The board granted an easement for the regional non-motorized trail so users can cross Country Club Road away from U.S. 2. According to information presented at the meeting, the trail authority would carry insurance that should protect the township from liability issues.
— The board established a committee — consisting of Baron, Boyd and Clerk Mary Segalin — to establish a list of capital improvements to township property and set a timeline for the completion of these projects.
— The board approved an invoice of $83,943 for construction work done on Vanderhagen Road this summer.
— The board set a public hearing date regarding the township office for Nov. 23 at 5 p.m.
