NORWAY — The Norway City Council on Monday rejected a proposal to refurbish the Sturgeon Falls Hydroelectric Facility Unit 4 generator.

The generator first failed in late 2019 for a number of reasons, the “root cause” being the misalignment of the unit’s head cover and curb ring, Norway Department of Power and Light Foreman Scott Hegy said.

The $89,350 project would have covered boring and threading new holes for alignment purposes and the fabrication and installation of new bushings, thrust washers and wicket gate pins, among other things.

Norway Mayor Candy Brew, along with council members Jeremy Oja and Scott Popp, voted down the proposal because the project had not been put to bid and its expense would push the department over budget.

Hegy and Hydro Consulting and Maintenance Services, Inc. Business Development Manager Scott Klubunde described the specialized nature of the work, which subcontractor Chris Cutts of Wild Rose Machine Company would have performed on site.

“Quite frankly, there isn’t anybody as qualified,” Klubunde said.

Council Member Jeff Muraro, who had stressed the difficulty of approving costly projects without competitive bids, nonetheless expressed frustration the proposal had been rejected.

“I do believe the number one asset this city has is that dam,” Muraro said. “I’m very disappointed this was shot down.”

Klubunde discouraged the generator’s use, saying the risk of catastrophic failure and injury to city employees was too high.

In other business, the board:

–Approved a traffic control order that established parking spaces at the electric vehicle charging station on the 600 block of Main Street be used only for charging electric vehicles. Non-EV drivers parked in those spaces will be subject to ticketing and/or the removal of their vehicle.

–Authorized the 2021 sale price list for city of Norway properties. All lots in the Oak Crest subdivision are reduced from $25,000 to $19,900; lots 26 and 32 in the Norway Spring subdivision are priced at $4,900 each.

–Retained Ryan Gordon of Stephens Real Estate to provide marketing and sales assistance for city-owned properties for a commission of 6%, or $2,500, whichever is greater.

–Hired Superiorland Electronics of Escanaba to install a smoke detection system at the hydroelectric facility at a cost not to exceed $5,646.

–Released Dr. Victoria Jakel from a deed restriction that required her to build a structure on land purchased from the city two years from the closing date. Jakel negotiated a sale with a buyer willing to assume the deed restrictions and build on the property.

–Approved the purchase of replacement parts for a front end loader for the Department of Public Works at a cost not to exceed $1,867.52.

Brian Christensen can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 229, or bchristensen@ironmountaindailynews.com.