Notes from Ortonville’s Feb. 24 meeting

At the Monday, Feb. 24 Ortonville Village Council meeting:
w The council was informed that Brandon Township will receive sealed bids for Old Mill repairs.
The work to be done will be overseen by Donnellon Swarthout Associates, Inc, Village Manager Paul Zelenak, and Historical Society President Tom Stowell, but funding will come from some of the township’s 2002 community development block grant allocation.
Repairs estimated to be valued near $20,000 will include some structural work, some beams and columns, siding material and finish painting.
w Council approved up to a $500 yearly membership fee to Traffic Improvement Association, a traffic safety service which provides data to municipalities, law enforcement agencies, school districts, courts, businesses and citizens, the Road Commission for Oakland County and the Michigan Department of Transportation, in order to help solve community traffic problems.
According to Village Manager Paul Zelenak, the association has done an extensive amount of work for the village in the past year, and he plans to continue using TIA’s assistance in the future. Projects will include traffic detours for the South Street Bridge repairs and justifying a traffic signal at Oakwood and M-15 to cut traffic volume through the village.
w Council decided not to attend Mayor Exchange Day this year because of the expense.
“I think it’s great, but since we are in a crunch I suggest we not attend this year,” said Council Member Mary Kasuba.
w Village President Sue Bess and President Pro Tem Kay Green will attend the 37th annual Michigan Municipal League conference in March. The conference is designed to give community leaders access to decision makers who shape the policies that govern how communities are run.
w Council appointed village resident Roxanne Strom to the planning commission. Strom said it will be her pleasure to fill the seat, which has been empty for more than a year. The appointment now completes a full nine-member commission.
w Council approved purchase of a new air compressor for the DPW. According to Zelenak, in addition to inaccessible replacement parts, the village insurance company has fire concerns, for the 40-something-year-old compressor.