Morrice OKs $8,500 gas line to park building, sets Oct. 31 Halloween

The Morrice park building is getting natural gas. The village council voted 5-0 on Aug. 25 to spend $8,500 to have Consumers run a gas line to the building, with the work expected in mid-October, according to minutes approved Sept. 8.

The gas line is the first piece of a bigger job. Village President Todd Scott told the council that running the line and installing a new furnace and air conditioning unit would cost about $20,000, and he suggested putting the furnace and air conditioner on the next budget. The minutes say the council discussed costs rising if the village waits, and getting more quotes on the furnace and A/C.

Voting yes on the gas line were Philip Hruska, Maggie Saint Amour, Robert Peterson, Jacob Saint Amour and Scott. No one voted no and no one was absent. Jacob Saint Amour was seated on the council in June after a resignation, as The Current reported.

The council also voted 5-0 to accept an $835 bid from DeFrenn Windows & Doors, LLC to take the air conditioning unit out of the library's block wall, frame a wood jamb, install a window and finish the opening inside and out. The roll call was the same five ayes.

Trick-or-treat in the village will run Saturday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. The council approved those hours unanimously on a voice vote after Scott raised the subject under new business.

On the village's 150-year celebration — which the council was told on Aug. 25 was 18 days out, putting it on Saturday, Sept. 12 — Maggie Saint Amour reported she was confirming with vendors and had announced Dave Roberts as grand marshal on the village's Facebook page. She said the reaction was positive. The minutes note that R. Reynolds asked whether children could touch equipment controls as part of Touch-a-Truck, and that the council discussed liability; the minutes record no decision. The Current reported separately that cars left on Main Street after 5:30 p.m. Saturday will be towed for the celebration.

Other business from the half-hour meeting: Police Chief Matt Balsley reported school is back in session and going smoothly. Scott said the transfer station ramp is finished and the village will add high-visibility marking and step grips. The Department of Public Works is still working in the park and is waiting on a call back from T. Parmalee about the drain behind Jewel, where the minutes say there is a discrepancy over who is responsible. A rotted light pole at the park building needs replacing, the mural there is almost done, and the council discussed timers for the pavilion lights.

Two property items were reported without a vote. Scott said the closing on 131 Main Street is set for Sept. 15 at 1 p.m. at Gormely's office in Fowlerville, and that all the paperwork on the Morrice Senior Center was signed the week before. The minutes do not describe the terms of either deal. The Current reported in June that the Morrice Area Schools board voted to buy the Senior Center for $1; the village minutes do not say whether that is the same transaction.

What happens next: the 131 Main Street closing is Sept. 15 at 1 p.m.; the Budget Committee meets Sept. 29 at 6 p.m.; Consumers is expected to run the park building gas line in mid-October; and trick-or-treat is Saturday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m.