NORWAY — The Norway City Council reversed itself Monday and approved electric foreman Tim Brew’s request for a compact excavator.

Council members turned down the purchase May 6 but reconsidered after Brew explained his reasons for needing the nearly $35,000 machine.

The excavator, Brew said, is essential for digging in confined spaces, such as between houses, where a backhoe with a larger bucket can’t fit or would be too damaging to property.

City Manager Ray Anderson said the machine also would be heavily used when the city replaces service lines to comply with Michigan’s new lead and copper regulations.

In other business, the council:

— Approved a new zoning ordinance developed by the Norway Area Planning Commission and already accepted by Norway Township. The new ordinance reflects changes in state code, clarifies passages and removes redundancies, among other things.

— Also approved an ordinance regulating the sale and use of fireworks, conforming to new state laws. The ordinance states no person shall ignite, discharge or use consumer fireworks within the city unless on Dec. 31 until 1 a.m. Jan. 1; the Saturday and Sunday preceding Memorial Day until 11:45 p.m. on each day; June 29 to July 4 until 11:45 p.m.; and the Saturday and Sunday preceding Labor Day until 11:45 p.m. on each day. A fine of $1,000 is possible for each violation.

— Authorized VanOss Forestry Services of Crystal Falls to continue to provide forest management planning for city property in Wisconsin near the Sturgeon Falls Hydroelectric Facility, at a cost not to exceed $1,200.

— Accepted a special events application for Music in the Park that reserves the parking spaces in front of the band shell for vendors selling food and beverages during performances.

— Agreed to continue renting city property to the Iron Mountain Iron Mine for a billboard, at a monthly rate of $50. The Iron Mine plans to replace the current sign with a larger 8-by-24-foot billboard on the property.

— Allowed CCI Systems and Mpower Innovations of Iron Mountain to update a map of the city communications system, at a cost not to exceed $15,220.