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THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2022
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Three Oaks Village Council approves second round of wastewater testing BY THERESE DONNELLY
he Village of Three Oaks is continuing to look at ways to improve its wastewater system. During their March 9 meeting, the village council heard the results of a high strength wastewater investigation conducted by Wightman and Associates. Wightman engineer Mary Nykamp said the test conducted Jan. 30 through Feb. 5 revealed that only one of the nine sample locations has excessive biochemical oxygen demand levels. The elevated samples came from near the lagoons, she said, while samples taken from locations throughout the village were within acceptable range. This indicates the possibility of infiltration. Nkyamp explained the state wants the village to decide if it will treat the high concentration, or identify and address the source. Finding and correcting the source, she said, could save considerable money over increasing water treatment. The council approved a second round of testing for $13,985, focusing on the north side of the village. At the request of the water/sewer department, the council also approved the purchase of a new sewer/water line locator. Village Manager Dan Faulkner told the council a bid from Capital Surveying Supplies for $6,500 was the preferred purchase. The search for a new administrative assistant and billing clerk is progressing. Faulkner told the council a qualified candidate has been interviewed, but has requested full-time hours, a payrate of $19 per hour and benefits (the job was initially described as 32 hours per week). Faulkner said whoever is hired will take some of the workload off interim treasurer Lois Smith, village clerk Cindy Moynihan and Faulkner. The administrative office is currently open to the public Monday through Thursday. Darlene Heemstra, a former councilmember who has helped with
the interview process, told the council that many residents have expressed a desire for extended office hours. When there is no clerk, Faulkner has to postpone manager duties to handle the administrative tasks. Jim Kramer cast the sole dissenting vote on the motion to extend the employment hours, expressing concerns about making the position full-time before seeing how the future hire handles the workload. Plans for the Hickory Street bridge repairs are slowly progressing. At a previous meeting, Wightman engineer Suzannah Deneau explained the bridge is deteriorating and a superstructure replacement is recommended. She told the council that forming a cooperative with other nearby municipalities could improve everyone’s odds of receiving grant funds. During the March meeting, she told the council that construction costs are expected to go up by the time work begins, as material costs increase. If approved for the shared grant, the village will make a local match of $88,300. The council approved a $1,000 grant application fee, agreeing that there were safety concerns if the bridge is not updated. River Valley Area Schools Superintendent Steven Disney updated the council on plans for the elementary school building on Oak Street. He said the district planned to meet with an architect March 10 to finalize most of the plans to extend the high school building on Three Oaks Road, then go out for bids. When asked, Disney said there are still no concrete plans for the Oak Street building once it is not used for classes. The future of the village’s current administrative building is still being considered, as the council voted to table a decision on an offer for the building at 21 N. Elm Street from Berrien County. Continuing another item of business from January, the Council revisited a proposed vacating of an alley at * in order
to combine adjacent lots into one property. Faulkner said the Planning Commission had determined the village has no future use for the area. Village attorney Charles Hilmer explained that in order to formally dissolve the alley, the landowner will have to get a court ruling. He said the village will need to develop an ordinance in order to vacate. The council agreed there was no reason to oppose the request. Art Attack is April 29 through May 1 in Harbor Country. Tom Pauley told the council this year’s event will include several new locations in Three Oaks, including an opening night Launch Party and Benefit at Acorn Theater, featuring a showing of the documentary “Rothko: Pictures Must Be Miraculous.” Councilmember Tyler Ream informed the council the Village Parks and Recreation Board is considering creating a joint committee with Three Oaks Township. Ream explained this could help both groups qualify for grants. If the committee is formed, both departments would keep separate budgets until a successful millage passes.
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eighbor by Neighbor Executive Director Peg Kohring addressed the council to give a brief overview of what the nonprofit offers for the community, including assistance with utility bills and minor home repair, transportation, emergency food and assistance connecting with other programs. She said Three Oaks is the organization’s second-highest served area. The number one need, she told the council, is affordable housing. She said grants are available to obtain rental housing in rural areas, but Neighbor to Neighbor would need to partner with a municipality to qualify. “We’d love to work with you on housing, if you’re interested,” she told the council.
To be humble to superiors is a duty, to equals courtesy, to inferiors nobleness. — Benjamin Franklin
