Three Oaks Village narrowing down sources for nondomestic use of wastewater system

Three Oaks Village narrowing down sources for nondomestic use of wastewater system

The Village of Three Oaks is narrowing down possible sources for nondomestic use of its wastewater system following a program to test samples at nine locations throughout the village.

Analysis indicates industriallevel waste is entering the system from the north end of the village. At the village council’s April 13 meeting, Mary Nykamp of Wightman and Associate told the council that numbers indicate an unidentified release at the start of the sampling period causes a surcharge that caused backflow into other areas of the wastewater system.

While the issue seems to be coming from one source, she said, because the village does not supply water to sewer customers north of Kruger Road, it is difficult to determine the source of the wastewater.

Nykamp told the council that if the village is able to identify the source of the release and work with the users to bring levels down, the village may be able to avoid needing to create an Industrial Pretreatment Plan (IPP) for the state. When asked by the council, Nykamp said she could not speculate on what caused the surge. She said levels dropped after the first few days of sampling, possibly because the source of the discharge noticed the sampling trucks in the area and ceased discharge.

Further investigation will need to be done to determine how many properties near the impacted line are connected to the village wastewater system.

Later in the meeting, Three Oaks Village Manager Dan Faulkner informed the council he had identified two candidates for the water superintendent position. Both have relevant experience, he said, but one has experience in IPP management and the other has treatment licenses. The council instructed Faulkner to tender an offer letter to the candidate with IPP experience, with a contingency that the candidate obtain relevant licensing within 365 days of hire.

During the meeting, the council approved the vacating of an alley, which had been discussed at previous council meetings.

The council also welcomed Theresa Schmaltz as the new utility billing clerk for the village.

The council further discussed the possibility of acquiring the building at 21 N. Elm Street, which currently houses the village administration offices, as well as a State Farm Insurance office. The building is currently owned by Berrien County, which has offered to sell it to the village for a nominal amount.

After gathering quotes, Faulkner told the council it would take several thousand dollars for repairs and needed upgrades to the building. One major issue is asbestos in the basement. Faulkner said he had not been down to inspect it himself due to safety requirements, but a professional in protective gear had evaluated it.

Councilmember Steve

BY THERESE DONNELLY Graziano noted the costs might not be burdensome over time, if the village can acquire the building under market value. He said that while he is not interested in “flipping” the property, the village would have the option to later sell if costs for renovation and upkeep proved to be too much. He suggested speaking to board members with a real estate background to find an approximate value for the building.

The council also pondered the potential future of the building, and the village offices, if the county sells to another party. Faulkner said he would ask county officials what possible plans were if the village declines their offer.

Flag Day Weekend will be June 11 and 12. The council approved a request from organizers to close streets for the Sunday parade, as well as the Saturday 5k route. All closures were approved pending review by police chief Carl Krause.

In a separate action the council approved a request from Krause for the purchase of firearms for the police department. Krause explained that the state firearms program the department had been using has been discontinued so he located a firm with a representative in Buchanan. After credit for trading in old firearms, the department will purchase five new handguns, four holsters and tactical lights, practice ammunition, and duty ammunition for $846.30. The council approved a purchase up to $1000.

As part of an annual requirement by the Michigan Department of Transportation, the council approved an MDOT performance resolution that establishes the right of way along the state highway for utilities.

On the recommendation of the Zoning Board of Appeals, the council approved two zoning ordinance amendments that will amend or remove verbiage to clarify the ZBA’s criteria for the approval or denial of a variance.

Sections of side streets in the village are slated for resurfacing work. The council approved a $64866.50 bid from Reith and Riley to resurface Cherry Street between Buckeye and Butternut streets, the Tulip Street extension and Nels Drive. Councilmember Colleen Newquist asked if the village should go for competitive bid on the project before accepting Reith Riley’s bid. Village attorney Charles Hilmer said while it is village policy to seek multiple bids, it is not required.

The submitted bid expires April 26 and Graziano noted construction costs are continuing to rise. The council agreed to accept the single bid, with Newquist stating she would like to observe policy in the future.

After some discussion, the council approved the addition of a spring holiday for village employees. The new holiday will follow the county pattern of falling on Good Friday every year. Newquist expressed concerns over attaching the date to a religious holiday, but councilmember Tyler Ream said in addition to no business happening at the county level, River Valley School District is closed on Good Friday, so the employee holiday will help employees with children avoid childcare issues.

Faulkner said some duties, including water department monitoring, cannot be skipped and employees who are required to work will receive holiday pay plus hourly pay.

The Planning Commission is making recommendations to the council regarding a shortterm rental policy. As liaison between the commission and council, Newquist reported that at this time the commission does not recommend setting a limit on the number of shortterm rentals registered in the village, but does suggest raising the annual registration fee and standardizing the renewal date.

The council took no immediate action but did discuss the impact short-term rentals could have on housing options. Ream stated even without short-term rentals, affordable housing is an issue and second home owners who do not rent out their property play a large part in the market.

The Parks and Recreation Board is conducting a survey as part of its joint master plan with Three Oaks Township. A link to the survey is available from the village Facebook page and paper copies are available at village hall during business hours.

Councilmember Joe Hinman reported the farmers market has already received more than 20 applicants.

SPORTS

From the Bleachers

COLUMN BY KURT MARGGRAF IN CHICAGO

Summer is coming. I can feel it

in my bones.

But tonight, April 17th, the weather guys and gals are telling us to be patient. At least one more snowfall, probably tonight, is in our near future.

This winter was slow to develop and I sure hope it decides to leave soon so that we get a little springtime. I actually believe that a clear cut majority would be in favor of spring arriving as soon as possible. At least the baseball season is in full swing.

After nine games, the White Sox are 6-3 and the Cubs are 5-4. The Sox are residing comfortably in first place and the Cubs are in second, only one half game behind those pesky Saint Louis Cardinals.

So far, the season has gone better than anyone had a right to expect for the Cubs. Seiya Suzuki, the clubs free agent signee from Japan looks like he is a budding superstar. Surprisingly, the pitching has been holding up, and even though there are still 153 games to play before the season ends, it looks like the Cubs have a decent chance to remain competitive.

Once again last week, a couple of former Cubs made news.

Joe Maddon, now managing the Los Angeles Angels, made one of his more unusual moves, intentionally walking Cory Seager with the bases loaded. This is the second time Maddon has done this, and since 1950, it has been done only one other time.

I always liked Joe Maddon as he was never afraid to try things that weren’t conventional. He kept his team loose, or at least, I always thought so.

Jake Arrieta took Maddon to task for walking in a run, and tweeted that Joe should send the pitcher right to the minor leagues if he didn’t think he could get the hitter out.

Come on Jake, lighten up. A few years ago you were having fun when you had one of the greatest seasons ever. Cub fans will forever admire you, just don’t turn into a hater.

Another Chicago team played better than the experts thought they would.

The Bulls overcame a rough start and played the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks almost to a standstill before finally succumbing to the Bucks 93-86. The Bulls, who had really been struggling at the end of the season, played defense ferociously and almost pulled off a huge upset. Before the series began, I would have been happy if the Bulls had won just one game.

After todays game, I’m not sure what to expect. I won’t be surprised if the Bulls lose four in a row and I won’t be surprised if they hang tough and actually beat the Bucks.

Kenneth Branagh said, “How many times do you read about ‘the Cinderella story,’ the story of the underdog, the story of the ordinary human being, often subjected to cruelty and ignorance and neglect, who somehow triumphs?”

Talk to you next week. Peace, love, and happiness.

Chase ends outside New Buffalo

BY STAN MADDUX

AChicago area man is facing charges related to a highspeed chase on Interstate 94 that The front right tire on the fleeing vehicle was punctured by stop sticks tossed onto the sixlane highway. Police said the driver was ended outside New Buffalo.

Fontain Plummer, 35, was being held in the Berrien County Jail on charges of fleeing and eluding and no valid driver’s license.

According to LaPorte County Police, after receiving a reckless driving report at about 5 a.m. Saturday, April 16, an officer in Burns Harbor, Indiana, attempted to stop a 2013 Nissan SUV operated by Plummer.

Plummer, though, allegedly refused to stop, triggering the pursuit that was later joined by Michigan City Police and LaPorte County Police. slowed down but he kept traveling eastbound at 50 miles per hour despite a flat tire. According to police, Plummer traveled into Michigan and turned onto Exit 1. After leaving the ramp, the SUV went straight across Michigan 239 and stopped in a grassy area near the Four Winds Casino above ground water tank, where he was taken into custody without incident. Berrien County Police Undersheriff Chuck Heit said Plummer is also facing similar charges in Porter County, where the pursuit originated.

Chikaming Township board tables library agreement, adopts operating millage proposal resolution

Members of the Chikaming Township Board of Trustees approved tabling a library services agreement with New Buffalo Township Library, Three Oaks Township Public Library and Bridgman Public Library in favor of adding certain items to it at their Thursday, April 15, meeting.

Before the agreement is revisited next month, it’ll be ensured that there’s a reciprocal agreement with all three libraries, a listing of the number of patrons who pay the $25 fee at both New Buffalo and Three Oaks libraries, and a concluding date on the agreement (which will be for one year).

At a special meeting last month, the board approved reaching out to the three libraries with a request to revert to their original agreement with the libraries of $30,000 plus penal fines split equally and that New Buffalo and Three Oaks libraries charge Chikaming residents $25 annually.

The reciprocal agreement could allow those who choose to get a card for the Bridgman library to be able to go to the other two libraries without having to pay the $25 fee.

Trustee Rich Sullivan said that in December, the board had voted “unanimously” to make Bridgman the township’s library of choice.

He said that what “precipitated” the meeting in March was a “passive aggressive” letter that was written by New Buffalo Township Library and signed by Three Oaks Township Public Library that was published in the paper and sent out to Chikaming residents who have cards at the libraries.

Sullivan added that he was told the special meeting was held to explain how the board came to their decision and for representatives from the libraries to “air their concerns; however, only ones from Bridgman showed up. Revisiting the December agreement with the libraries was not on the meeting’s agenda.

“The only reason we had this meeting was, in effect, we were thrown on the defensive and we wanted to defend ourselves,” Sullivan said, adding that they had been “deceptive to Bridgman” as well as to the public.

Clerk Paula Dudiak said that she’d received several calls from residents saying that “nothing was reciprocal and now they couldn’t use any library.”

“In my heart, I really did, after the fact, feel that that was really a hardship for everyone to do…It was a hardship that we had taken it away from Bridgman people, we’d taken it away from everything for doing that contract,” she said.

She said she felt that, if the township paid $30,000, then “everyone would be able to use every library.”

Chikaming Township Supervisor David Bunte said that the March meeting was a “public information campaign” on the township’s spending to support the library systems.

He added that he’d wanted to “alleviate the pain to our residents from $50 to $25 (nonresidents of New Buffalo Township and City are currently charged an annual $50 fee to use the library), still continue at $30,000 and it gives us a year here to evaluate exactly how many residents are using and paying the fee and whether or not – now that the public knows and all the cards are on the table - we will continue funding at that level.”

Board members adopted a resolution for an operating millage proposal, which would restore the township’s current operating millage from .367 mills to 1 mill and increase revenues by approximately $452,435.73 in the first year, to appear on the Aug. 2 ballot.

Bunte gave an update on seven potential drain projects, which would begin at the end of this year and into 2023, and then continue into 2024.

Drain projects include improvements to the Union Pier Drain; the Streed Drain, the Tiffany Drain as well as an expansion of it to the north; the Lakeside Drain, which will have a branch along Hawthorne that will be paid for the by homeowner’s association; the Harbert Drain; the Sawyer Drain; the Wolcott Drain; and the establishment of a new drain called the Emery Drain, which will be off Red Arrow Highway and just south of Browntown Road.

Current estimates are coming in at approximately $20 million.

“If they all come in at once, bond issues and everything else, through the drain commission our responsibility from the township is going to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 to 20% of that $20 million - so anywhere in the $2 to $4 million range,” Bunte said.

Dudiak swore in reserve officer David Waskevich.

The amended sewer ordinance was approved.

The amended water ordinance, which Bunte said includes a 4% increase in monthly charges for water uses for one year from the effective date of the ordinance and 4% annually for the following three years, was approved.

A resolution stating that the township will support any future maintenance costs of its portion of the linear park along Red Arrow Highway was approved.

The 2022 road projects agreement from the Berrien County Road Department was approved. Bunte said that, due to the numerous drainage projects, it was agreed that the road projects in Union Pier, which include Berrien, Center, Goodwin, and Nolan, would be delayed until 2023.

Board members approved the purchase of the 2022 Dodge Durango for the police department at a cost of $38,000.

Board members approved a quick claim deed on the former Sawyer fire station property. The deed reflects the request of the Kohns, who donated the property to the township, to add a 4-foot section to their parcel to do some parking on the western side of it.

Board members approved Bunte to sign a petition to the road department to do a speed study on Harbert Road from Red Arrow Highway west to the lake.

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA