NORWAY — Norway City Council has approved a proposal to refurbish the Sturgeon Falls Hydroelectric Facility Unit 4 generator.

The board had previously rejected the proposal because it had not been put to bid and its expense would likely push the department over budget.

Norway Department of Power and Light Foreman Scott Hegy revisited the budget and found additional savings and identified projects that could be pushed to next year, showing the council the refurbishment would be funded, City Manager Ray Anderson told The Daily News.

The $89,350 project will cover 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.

The generator first failed in late 2019, the “root cause” being the misalignment of the unit’s head cover and curb ring, Hegy previously said.

The work will be done on site by subcontractor Chris Cutts of Wild Rose Machine Company.

In other business Feb. 1, the council:

— Had a first reading of Norway’s new zoning ordinance. The city was informed in October the township intended to leave the Norway Area Zoning and Planning relationship to form its own planning and zoning commissions. The new ordinance reflects city-exclusive code.

— Also had a first reading of amendments to the solid waste management and fireworks regulation ordinances. The solid waste ordinance added language to require permits for the use of construction dumpsters on private property and allows the city to regulate a timeline of use. The fireworks ordinance includes language limiting the start of fireworks on prescribed days at 11 a.m. Both ordinances will be brought directly to vote at the Feb. 15 meeting without public hearing.

— Appointed Jeff Gilroy, Brett Baij and Mayor Candy Brew to the Utility Infrastructure Committee, formerly titled the Electric Utility Board.

— Authorized the purchase of spare relay, control, synchronizing and breaker switches for use at the hydroelectric facility from Electroswitch at a cost not to exceed $1,352.

— Approved the Strawberry Lake declaration and notice for execution and registration, a requirement from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources that formalizes the city’s commitment to not redevelop the property in any manner other than for public purpose.

— Hired Andy Adams to repair a 2014 Dodge Charger police vehicle at a price not to exceed $1,850. The vehicle has a damaged hydraulic tappet, which requires the engine to be removed for repairs.

— Heard a presentation from Tom Asp of Power Systems Engineering. PSE recently completed a report commissioned by the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development on broadband expansion in commercial and residential settings. Once the report is submitted, Rural Development can be solicited for funding opportunities.