Ortonville- The Old Mill should have a fire suppression system installed by this fall, courtesy of Community Development Block Grant funds.
‘It needs to be done this year,? said Village Manager Ed Coy. ‘There is a chance we will lose the money if we don’t get it done.?
The village recently began accepting bids for the work, which Coy expects will be fully covered by the CDBG money, of which there is $12,618 from 2004 for the fire suppression system, as well as an additional $5,209 in 2005 funds and $2,500 in 2006 funds, both for historical preservation.
In other work on the Old Mill, Department of Public Works employees have been excavating land behind the building in preparation for a new addition. Coy said that since the land is being excavated, a little more digging would be done and the septic system for the building will be checked to see if it is failing.
The new addition will display a 1928 Ford Model T fire truck, part of the original fire system for the village, said Ortonville Community Historical Society President Dean Salley. Other fire department artifacts will also be displayed.
Coy said for safety reasons, a fence will be placed around the excavated area during CreekFest, planned for June 9.