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The town of Markle has received some welcome aid from Wells and Huntington County governments.
Paving of streets in Markle was the major item discussed at Wednesday night’s meeting of the Markle Town Council, and thanks was extended to both Wells County and Huntington County commissioners for assistance they have offered with these projects.
At the April meeting three quotes were discussed for proposed maintenance work on Novae Parkway, Tracey St., Scott St. and Windridge Drive received from Wayne Asphalt, E & B Paving and Brooks Construction Paving.
At that meeting council considered accepting the bid of $87,491, made by E & B Paving. However, it has since been pointed out that as all three bids received were over $75,000, a different, more formal, bidding system should have been used, and so this process has been forced to be restarted.
However, in the meantime, the Wells County Commissioners have provided help from the county highway department with chip and sealing of Tracy Street and Windridge Drive, at a total cost of $15,592.31, and Huntington County has provided CEDIT funds of $44,795 for work on Novae Parkway.
With this assistance, the town will be able to do much of the work that was originally included in the project being bid out.
The formal bids are expected to be made by May 28, 2008, at 7 p.m. The council will hold a special meeting to consider the bids at that time.
It has previously been noted that the work being undertaken at this time is more of a “band-aid” fix than a proper solution, as funding for full repairs is not available. Clearly though, something has to be done as the roads will not survive another winter in their current state.
Long will also be trying to advance the reclassification of Novae Parkway and Tracey Street before his departure. It is hoped that these two streets can be reclassified as rural collectors, which will qualify them for Federal Funding for improvements to the roadway.
Markle Town Manager Darcy Long attended his last town council meeting in Markle on Wednesday evening.
Council members Tamra Boucher, Jeff Humbarger and Mark Hamilton thanked Long for the work he has done for the town since commencing his duties on Aug. 15, 2005. Long’s last official day at work isn’t until Sunday, June 15, so he will still be performing duties for the town for several weeks yet.
Long has accepted a position with the Town of Amery in Wisconsin as a City Administrator. Amery is the largest community in Polk County, with its downtown area on an isthmus between the Apple River and Pike, North Twin and South Twin Lakes.
Bear Trap and Wapogassett Lakes are nearby, as are, apparently, several golf courses.
As yet, the Markle Town Council has not discussed options for finding a replacement.
Town Clerk-Treasurer Carolyn Hamilton advised that the town’s “Summer Sprinkling” is now being applied to water utility customer’s bills. Any Markle residents who wish to be included in the “Summer Sprinkling” plan, and are not already on it, are advised to contact Hamilton as soon as possible.
Town Marshall John Markley has received a revised version of the proposed golf cart ordinance, and presented it to council members. The ordinance, which will restrict the use of vehicles such as golf carts on major roads within the town, will be discussed at the next town meeting.
Markley also advised that he is still waiting for the radio for the new police car.
Markley also made an urgent request for people interested in helping to organize this year’s “Wildcat Festival”. The next meeting is scheduled to be held in the town hall on June 24, 2008, at 7 p.m. The organizing committee is very eager to attract new members.
Council considered two bids for the old 1976 International Fire Truck. The successful bid was that made by Phil Hornish who offered $2,525.25 for the truck.
Town Utilities Superintendant Rick Asher advised that work had been completed on 10 manholes, bringing them up to scratch. IDEM officials also checked the wastewater system over the past month and were very happy with the work that is being done.
In other business council members:
— Approved 117 vouchers totaling $159,281.16 for payment.
— Indicated that the proposed noise ordinance should be ready for discussion at the June council meeting. The inclusion of a specific decibel level, and a method of measuring noise against this level, was required for the ordinance. It was noted that most current measurement devices are very expensive to purchase.
— Appointed Chris Spurgeon as Markle’s representative on the Wells County Government Improvement Task Force. Spurgeon serves as Deputy Town Marshall in Markle.
— Were advised that the town’s tree committee had planted its 13 trees on Arbor Day, 10 of which were planted in front of the wastewater plant. The rest were planted at the intersection of Ind.3 and Ind.224
— Were advised that Longview have begun work on putting up their new satellite dish. Work on this project is expected to be completed by the end of the month.
The next meeting of the Markle Town Council is scheduled for June 18, 2008.
frank@news-banner.com
At Wednesday’s meeting, the Markle Town Council:
Bid farewell to Town Manager Darcy Long, who takes up a new position of City Administrator in Amery, Wis., next month.
Thanked Wells County and Huntington County Commissioners for assistance offered with road improvement projects required by the town.
Requested that residents not currently on the town’s “Summer Sprinkling” program contact the clerk-treasurer’s office as soon as possible if they wish to be included in the program.
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