Friday, July 6, 2012
Friday, November 4, 2011
Newberry Water & Light Board Meeting Scheduled
The next meeting of the Newberry Water & Light Board is set for Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 6 p.m. in the Newberry Water & Light building, 307 E. McMillan in Newberry.
Newberry Village Council will attend in a joint session to consider a management committee recommendation to reduce duties assigned to the village superintendent. Also on the combined agenda is a proposal to hire a new superintendent to oversee the water and light operations for the village.
The board will also reopen the tabled discussion concerning the apprentice lineman and working foreman positions. Board Chairman Paul List tabled the agenda items during last month's meeting, claiming he had to have input from Village President Terry Webb and Village Manager Bev Holmes, before he would provide any direction to the council from the board on the subject of the two positions. Both Webb and Holmes are scheduled to attend the meeting.
Other matters for consideration of the water and light board include payment of bills, water system improvements, generator options, demand generation reimbursement figures and an invoice submittal from Gourdie-Fraser, Inc., the engineer of record for the water tower project that is currently on hold until spring 2012. The $8,808.73 invoice covers project design, a topographic survey, bidding, administration and construction observation.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
NEWBERRY VILLAGE COUNCIL NEWS & VIEWS
Good Morning everyone - Here's a new blog feature. Get it here BEFORE you see it anywhere else - Village Viewpoints - a measuring stick of progress and issues written by Newberry President Terry Webb.
TERRY WEBB
Village President
Let’s keep on the positive track, and “Let’s Keep Progress Going."
Newberry has many new and exciting happenings in its near future! As I move forward with this missive from the village offices, I hope to highlight the events well enough to spark your interest, support, and comments to ensure they include your visions as well.
The water tower project is essentially underway and will be more obvious this fall. Gourdie Fraser, an engineering firm out of Traverse City, is spearheading this project. I don’t know if we will have a say on a new exterior color, but if you have a suggestion, please submit it in writing at the Newberry Water & Light Office.
We continue to apply and look for a means to improve and complete our water distribution system. We have made great progress on replacing all of the old pipes with lined pipe that will not permit the growth of iron bacteria. An iron bacterium is gross, smelly, and can stain clothing, but it is not harmful to humans or other animals. Working in tandem, the water and light board and the village council continue to return the Newberry water supply, which comes from one of the best aquifers in the country, to its best.
We are working on a grant (S-2 Grant) to develop an improvement plan for the wastewater treatment plant. The plant will soon turn 40 years old. Planning is in the formative stages, with the decision to move forward with a preliminary application already approved by council.
We are ready to close on the purchase of the 41 Lumber Company property. We will use this for safe storage of valuable property that we have stored under minimal security throughout the area. The purchase also allows the village to put some vacant lots up for sale. Approximately $38 thousand of $65 thousand purchase price comes from a village insurance settlement from a collapsed building. The remaining $27 thousand comes from the water and light department, which will use at least one-third of the space. We can also use the property to improve Atlas Park; maybe provide a pavilion, bathrooms, and picnic area – your thoughts and visions are most welcome.
We are pursuing a grant through the Safe Routes to School program. This grant provides 100 percent funding that will allow us to replace and install new sidewalks in town.
We have a local group forming to promote 4th of July fireworks in Newberry for next year. I have been working on this for nearly 15 months, but a person interested in forming a committee recently contacted me with a strong and positive spirit to make the fireworks happen with the help of the village. I know it can happen, and it will be an extravaganza. Those who can be nearby will see great ground displays and those who must view from afar will be able to see a spectacular aerial light show. The fireworks will take a great deal of hard work by our local volunteers, but I have been and will continue to work on a significant contribution from the village of Newberry. We’ve already contacted our insurance carrier and other communities who hold spectacular events each year. There are a couple of sites in my vision such as the ball diamonds on Charles Road, The Indian Spring Plaza, or maybe the new Brownfield Site just north of the tracks in Newberry. We can and will return fireworks to Newberry on the 4th of July 2012.
The Village received the highest rating attainable for its 2010 audit. We are doing very well in 2011, and expect to get through 2012 without tax increases or other unnamed surcharges, taxes if you will, and I continue to work with the village manager and the finance committee to keep the budget balanced. I’m hoping that Gov. Snyder helps us out as well; if not, we’re Yoopers and we’ll thrive even in the worst of times. Newberry’s outlook is good right now.
Please send your suggestions, questions or comments in writing to the water and light office at 307 E. McMillan Ave., Newberry, MI 49868. If you prefer, you can drop your suggestions off at the office during regular business hours. You can also email me directly at terrencewebb@att.net.
TERRY WEBB
Village President
Let’s keep on the positive track, and “Let’s Keep Progress Going."
Newberry has many new and exciting happenings in its near future! As I move forward with this missive from the village offices, I hope to highlight the events well enough to spark your interest, support, and comments to ensure they include your visions as well.
The water tower project is essentially underway and will be more obvious this fall. Gourdie Fraser, an engineering firm out of Traverse City, is spearheading this project. I don’t know if we will have a say on a new exterior color, but if you have a suggestion, please submit it in writing at the Newberry Water & Light Office.
We continue to apply and look for a means to improve and complete our water distribution system. We have made great progress on replacing all of the old pipes with lined pipe that will not permit the growth of iron bacteria. An iron bacterium is gross, smelly, and can stain clothing, but it is not harmful to humans or other animals. Working in tandem, the water and light board and the village council continue to return the Newberry water supply, which comes from one of the best aquifers in the country, to its best.
We are working on a grant (S-2 Grant) to develop an improvement plan for the wastewater treatment plant. The plant will soon turn 40 years old. Planning is in the formative stages, with the decision to move forward with a preliminary application already approved by council.
We are ready to close on the purchase of the 41 Lumber Company property. We will use this for safe storage of valuable property that we have stored under minimal security throughout the area. The purchase also allows the village to put some vacant lots up for sale. Approximately $38 thousand of $65 thousand purchase price comes from a village insurance settlement from a collapsed building. The remaining $27 thousand comes from the water and light department, which will use at least one-third of the space. We can also use the property to improve Atlas Park; maybe provide a pavilion, bathrooms, and picnic area – your thoughts and visions are most welcome.
We are pursuing a grant through the Safe Routes to School program. This grant provides 100 percent funding that will allow us to replace and install new sidewalks in town.
We have a local group forming to promote 4th of July fireworks in Newberry for next year. I have been working on this for nearly 15 months, but a person interested in forming a committee recently contacted me with a strong and positive spirit to make the fireworks happen with the help of the village. I know it can happen, and it will be an extravaganza. Those who can be nearby will see great ground displays and those who must view from afar will be able to see a spectacular aerial light show. The fireworks will take a great deal of hard work by our local volunteers, but I have been and will continue to work on a significant contribution from the village of Newberry. We’ve already contacted our insurance carrier and other communities who hold spectacular events each year. There are a couple of sites in my vision such as the ball diamonds on Charles Road, The Indian Spring Plaza, or maybe the new Brownfield Site just north of the tracks in Newberry. We can and will return fireworks to Newberry on the 4th of July 2012.
The Village received the highest rating attainable for its 2010 audit. We are doing very well in 2011, and expect to get through 2012 without tax increases or other unnamed surcharges, taxes if you will, and I continue to work with the village manager and the finance committee to keep the budget balanced. I’m hoping that Gov. Snyder helps us out as well; if not, we’re Yoopers and we’ll thrive even in the worst of times. Newberry’s outlook is good right now.
Please send your suggestions, questions or comments in writing to the water and light office at 307 E. McMillan Ave., Newberry, MI 49868. If you prefer, you can drop your suggestions off at the office during regular business hours. You can also email me directly at terrencewebb@att.net.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Respect for the Fallen - Memorial Day 2011
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| Uncle George |
Residents of Newberry pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country (see photo essay below). Of special note, World War II veteran, "Uncle George," who turned 99 years of age last week, proudly wears a cap signifying his service.
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| Presenting the colors. |
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| The Newberry High School Band plays "The Star-Spangled Banner." |
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| Newberry High School Band begins the march from the high school to Forest Home Cemetery. |
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| Memorial to those from Luce County who made the ultimate sacrifice. |
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| Newberry Engine #1 escorts the NHS Band to the cemetery. |
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| Honor Guard members from Newberry American Legion Post 74 pay tribute to their comrades-in-arms. |
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| Amanda Scott reads the essay she penned for ceremonies at the local cemetery. |
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| The color guard stands at rest during Memorial Day ceremonies at Forest Home Cemetery. |
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| The veterans section at Forest Home Cemetery. |
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| Jessica Scott reads the essay she wrote for the 2011 Memorial Day observances in Newberry. |
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| Desert Storm veteran Randall Griffis gives an emotion-packed message that honors service men and women past and present, putting special emphasis on those who died for their country. |
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| Decoration of the graves. |
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| Post Commander Kim Eddy, is master of ceremonies at the graveyard. |
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| The Honor Guard offers a 21-gun salute. |
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| "Taps" is played while the Honor Guard stands at attention. |
The Bugler plays a sorrowful rendition of "Taps."
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