Hurley water rates to increase

By IAN MINIELLY

[email protected]

Hurley — The junior varsity covered the Hurley city council meeting and normal Daily Globe reporter Ralph Ansami’s absence due to vacation was noted by the council. The city council was surprisingly jovial and even has nicknames for all the members on the council, which was a surprise to discover.

The council agreed to award Ross Peterson the 2017 utility project in the amount of $906,219, contingent on the receipt of funds from the Army Corps of Engineers and a follow on financial review by Stacey Wiercinski. The contract includes Base Projects 1-3 and Optional Projects 1-2, but does not include optional project 3 to replace the water tank for $68,255.

The Department of Public Works has received patching material and repaired the street sweeper, so the roads of Hurley can expect attention soon. Mark Bluse, street commissioner, also said there are only two small leaks left to repair and those should be repaired soon.

The police reported the initial round of blight letters went out and the deadline has passed. The second round is happening now with officers making personal visits to homes and informing the residents they need to remediate the blight on their property or face a fine.

Kathy Koski received approval to continue pursuing the installation of a dog park on the property adjacent to city hall. The proposed plan exceeds the recommendation from the American Kennel Club and will cost approximately $10,000 for the fencing, to include installation of a double gate. Koski will begin fundraising and forming a committee to enable the necessary purchases while the city engages with the neighboring property owners to see how they feel about having a dog park opened in the residential community.

Eagle Waste asked the council, and was approved, to bring in a bid for trash removal. Mayor Joe Pinardi challenged Eagle Waste to drive around Ironwood and see the number of trash and recycling cans laying on their side around the city and how it is an eyesore. Pinardi also mentioned how, with the current provider, residents can put one bag on the curb or they can put 30 and it all costs the same — which would not be the case with the trash cans.

The city modified the Title 7-1-23 regarding nuisance birds to facilitate the eradication of pigeons from Hurley. Residents of Hurley are now required to use pigeon-proof feeders and any birds found to be a nuisance in the community may be trapped or destroyed under the supervision of authorized municipal officials. It was not a good evening to be a pigeon in Hurley as public war has been declared on the species, as well as starlings and english sparrows.

The city agreed to raise their water rates 3 percent to keep up with the 5 percent increase Ironwood recently laid on the city and also agreed to buy flowers from Giovanoni’s to the tune of $634.