Wakefield plans Fourth of July celebration

By P.J. GLISSON

news@yourdailyglobe.com

Wakefield — The Wakefield City Council pledged on Monday to commit $2,500 toward the return of the town’s Fourth of July celebration.

City officials and Fourth of July organizer Ann Marie Cooney said that members of the city’s Fourth of July Committee, as well as its Fireworks Committee, are deeply engaged in renewing the celebration.

Last year’s events were canceled due to restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, which shut down this area in March of 2020 and has had lingering effects ever since.

“Hopefully, everyone stays healthy, and people continue to get vaccinated,” said City Manager Robert Brown Tuesday by phone. He added that attendance at holiday events will be “your choice” and emphasized that attendees will be encouraged to follow pandemic protocols.

Cooney said in recent contacts with the Daily Globe that licensing is being sought for 50-50 ticket sales and for food preparation and sales during the town picnic on July 3 in Eddy Park. Fireworks are expected, as usual, at 10 p.m. that evening over Sunday Lake.

City officials also expect to have a Fourth of July parade at 1 p.m. on July 4, along with a children’s parade.

Cooney said committee members are still ironing out numerous details, and she added that additional events are pending decisions by various sponsoring groups.

Those activities that typically occur on or before July 4 are the annual Matt Ahonen Memorial Softball Tournament, the Hometown Variety Show, a street dance with live music, a bean bag tournament by VFW Post 9084, children’s races, a Sunday Lake Walk-Run, and an open house by the Wakefield Historical Society.

Michigan State Police Post 86 in Wakefield has confirmed, however, that its traditional open house has been canceled for the second year in a row due to pandemic uncertainties.

July 4 organizers encourage people to check the city’s Facebook page for continuing updates as the holiday nears.

Brown said that Wakefield Township is expected to donate an additional $500 toward celebration expenses.

In other news, the council also learned that a referendum petition to put to ballot any decision regarding the city’s purchase of new Public Works property has failed.

Brown said that the petition would have required 140 signatures but received only 98.

In a previous meeting, council members already had voted to purchase property in the city’s industrial park at a cost of $400,000.

They then also pursued a related loan for $440,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Division. Brown said the extra amount allotted was intended mainly for financing costs and necessary property upgrades.

The city manager said he is “very excited” to continue moving forward with the bond process. In reference to the DPW’s current three garage sites, he said, “I think it’s going to be great getting our staff (and equipment) out of these dungeons.”

According to Brown, council members also:

—Voted to approve a spring clean-up on June 4 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and on June 5 from 8 a.m.-noon. Details will be mailed to city residents with utility bills.

—Voted to approve funding not to exceed $30,000 for Phase 1 of a sewer project at Eddy Park Campground. “Depending on permitting, that will start in the first week of May,” said Brown.

—Voted to hire several part-time summer workers for the Department of Public Works and the Electric Department at a cost of $10 per hour. Anyone hired must be at least 16 years old.

—Voted to approve a three-year contract with the Gogebic County Sheriff’s Office. The agreement includes a rise of $2,500 for each successive year, for a total of $300,480, which will be split with the partnering city of Bessemer. The contract covers 80 hours per week of law enforcement services for the two cities and will run from July 1 through June 30, 2024.

—Learned that hydrant flushing will start on May 9 and is expected to last about one and one-half weeks. Brown warned that residents may see discolored water when nearby flushing occurs.

—Learned that the city’s main lift station will receive, in Brown’s words, “a very welcome major upgrade” on May 4. The city manager said the work, which could take a couple days, should pose “nothing noticeable for the community.”

—Heard the first reading of a newly-revised fence ordinance. The second reading will occur at the council’s first meeting in May, followed by a public hearing on May 24.

The council’s next regular meeting will be on May 10 at 5:30 p.m. in the municipal building. Persons wishing to attend this hybrid meeting should check the city’s Facebook site or call 906-229-5131 to get the code.