IronwoodInfo News Magazine

Wastewater Board Passes Budget

Ironwood - June 26, 2009

The Wastewater Authority and Wastewater Board held its regular meeting Thursday morning. The board discussed the Insurance Renewal Quotation it received from the agent, the Hannula Agency. The quote was $33,164. which is actually a little less than the current year's premium. The Board/Authority decided to ask for an additional quote based on alternative deductibles. The Agency/Board is pleased with the current carrier and services of the company, but felt that the current deductibles may be too small.

Mark Bowman discussed possible problems coming up with the sludge deposits on smaller acreage sites. After a while these smaller site become phosphorous sensitive. Mark and board member Bernie Brunello are going to check on other possible sites that could use the sludge for its fertilization qualities. Basically, the sludge remaining after complete treatment at the plant becomes something similar to Malorganite. The sew treatment process goes through several processes, one or more of the processes are similar to a gardener making compost.

Mark Bowman the facility manager, is a pro and is extremely knowledgeable in wastewater treatment. He stays on top of all emerging technologies and is on the lookout for ways to not only make our facility more cost efficient, but is looking to making the plant income producing.

Mark also promotes education of the plant employees. Education through material and seminars are encouraged. Being as remotely situated as we are, cost for services would be very high if we always had to call on outside facilitators. As an example, a digester recently had to be replaced. The unit itself cost $1600. The cost to install it would have at least tripled the total cost. However, since the plant personnel were trained for these situations the cost were kept to a minimum. Continuing education doesn't cost, it pays dividends.

The Board/Authority passed two budgets for fiscal year 2009/2010.

The Boards budget contemplates Expenses of $851,590 a reduction from the 2008/2009 budget of 7/10 of 1%.The Board derives all of its income from the "Authority"

The Budget passed for the "Authority" indicates expected revenues of $1,367,665 and expenses equaling that amount. The Community expense, $1,201,590 is made up of the "Board" expense and "Debt Retirement"

Other Expense Charges of $166,075 make up the remainder of the $1,367,665 Budget.

There you are, slick eh!

Here's the best part. This facility was built with capacity for population growth built in. The plant could easily triple its daily volume, but with only a 20% increase in expense.

So, we need to find some civic minded leaders who are willing to work hard at bringing jobs and people to our community!

UPPCO and Ishpeming Rotary
Plant Trees at Bell Hospital

June 29, 2009

Houghton MI - Michigan’s official Arbor Day is the last Friday in April, but because of the long U.P. winters, it’s better to plant trees in our area in May, says Rob Taggart, UPPCO Forester and Certified Arborist.

So in late May, Taggart joined the Ishpeming Rotary Club to plant trees on the new Bell Memorial Hospital grounds.

"Bell Hospital was very pleased and thankful to be the recipient of five beautiful trees from UPPCO and the Ishpeming Rotary Club," said David Aro, Executive Director, Bell Foundation. "These were the first of what we hope to be approximately 50 trees planted on our grounds over the next few years to help bring out the beauty in our facility as well as the natural benefits that trees provide. Rotarian Kimme Peterson was very helpful with our landscape plan and helped us choose the right trees for the location."

The Arbor Day activities Taggart promotes are group efforts. He works with local nurseries to provide the tree stock, which UPPCO purchases. He also coordinates with local UPPCO sites to select the planting areas, and municipalities, service clubs, or elementary school students to do the actual planting.

Taggart also assisted community tree-planting projects in Munising and Ontonagon.

For More Information, Contact:

* Janet Wolfe, Communications Manager
906-483-4528

* UPPCO Customer Service
800-562-7680

UPPCO SEEKS RATE HIKE

Houghton MI – Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO), a subsidiary of Integrys Energy Group (NYSE: TEG), today filed a request with the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) for permission to increase its overall electric base rates by 12.7%.

If approved as proposed, a typical residential customer in UPPCO's Integrated System using 500 kilowatt-hours of electricity would see an increase of about $11.55 a month. Residential customers in Iron River using 500 kilowatt-hours a month would see an increase of about $12.66.

"We understand that our customers are already stressed by the poor economy, so we've done what we can to control costs internally," said Keith Moyle, UPPCO Vice President & General Manager. "Despite our efforts, and three years after our last rate increase, our current rates no longer reflect today's costs to provide retail electric service."

The major drivers in UPPCO's 12.7% request are:

* Hydroelectric facility upgrades
* Cost of capital
* Low sales growth
* Increased meter reading costs
* Increased costs for injuries and damages
* General inflation

In the absence of a commission decision, interim rates (subject to refund) will go into effect January 1, 2010. UPPCO expects the MPSC to make a final decision by June 2010.

UPPCO customers will learn more about the proposed rates in information included with their August bills.

For More Information, Contact:

* For more information contact
Keith Moyle, UPPCO Vice President & General Manager
906-485-2408

The L.L.W. Class of '94
Planning Class Reunion

Ironwood - May 25, 2009

The Luther L Wright Class of '94 is having a multi-event reunion July 17-18, 2009. Find us on Facebook by viewing: www.myspace.com/ironwood94, or contact us at IHSclassof94@gmail.com for more information.

Regional Hospice and
Gogebic Range Band Hold Dedication

Ironwood - June 24, 2009

Last night the Regional Hospice along with The Gogebic Range Band held the annual Memory Garden dedication, at Longyear Park in Ironwood.

The “Plant a Memory” Garden is one of three fundraisers Regional Hospice holds each year. Flowers were purchased for $5.00 in honor or memory of a loved one, friend or other significant person. Kathy Maki and Alane Verbos, Hospice volunteers planted the flowers surrounding the flag pole near the band shell.

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Gas Leak Turned Off

At approximately 8:30 PM this evening the gas leaking from a ruptured 16" line was finally shut off The Gas company had brought in Tankers to supply natural gas to the homes effected by the leak. According to a gas company employee, the equipment needed to repair the line ruptured by the explosion will be on the scene by midnight.

This information was confirmed by the Ironwood Township Volunteer Firefighters on the scene and guarding the cordoned off area. We met up with the Volanteers at Cinnabar and N. East Street. Earlier in the day the Vols were distributing water to those effected by the explosion.

While interviewing the men of the ITVFD a call was received that the leak had in fact been turned off. The purpose of the tankers filled with natural gas was to keep gas flowing in the effected zone, so that pilot lights would not have to be re-lit when the repairs were completed. The sound emanating from the leak was very loud and described by most as the sound of a jet plane. Close enough. While at the scene the Ironwood Township Volunteer Firefighters noticed that the noise was getting dimmer. It was shortly after that the noise was gone.

Evacuees interviewed by IronwoodInfo suggested that as many as eight families were told to evacuate. The Ironwood Township Volunteers showed us an aerial photo that indicated just four homes were in the evacuation area. Those who have been evacuated will be spending at least one night away from their homes.

Elane Verbos was also told to leave her home. When she told the officials that she was staying she was told "don't light or turn on anything!"

Scouting Report

Story and photos by Bruce Jendrusina

June 24, 2009

The Boy Scouts of Troop 337 Ontonagon, Bessemer, and Wakefield have been busy lately with all sorts of activities.
To start with the scouts learned how to repel and belay in preparation for their Climbing
Merit Badge which they were going to be taking at Michigan Tech in a couple of weeks.

Upon arrival at tech they taught the safety rules and techniques before starting to go up on the climbing wall. the scouts enjoyed the adventure of climbing and learning different techniques, there is talk of going to the McKinley range and climbing Mt. McKinley in 2012 and this is the time to start learning for such an undertaking.

On Saturday mornings you can find the scouts at GCC pool practicing their swimming techniques to be able to earn the swimming merit badge.

They all can swim but they need to improve their styles and forms and it does take a lot of time and hard work. But with perseverance they will accomplish their goal.

A Day at the Great Lakes' Renaissance Faire

Ironwood - June 23, 2009

This past weekend was typical of beautiful Northwood's summer days. Perhaps to much to do and too little time in which to do it all. It seems as though our very short summer becomes a constant compromise as to what we can do and what we can't do.

This past weekend was really full of worthwhile events to see. One of Ironwood's great attractions is the annual Great Lakes' Renaissance Faire

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