NORWAY — A nonprofit group that oversees baseball operations at Marion Park continues to make improvements at the complex, including plans for a second concession stand and a press box for Mike Maule Field.

Tony Adams of the Diamond Boosters gave an annual report on the group’s activities and finances to the Norway City Council on Wednesday. The report is part of an effort by the council and the parks and recreation committee to have more participation with the Diamond Boosters.

Adams said projects completed in the past two years include updating most of the scoreboards, improving the sound system at Mike Maule Field, constant infield care, adding concrete to the batting cage, painting the restrooms, rebuilding some of the pitcher’s mounds, fixing the bleachers and new dugout benches.

Current projects include new dugouts for Mike Maule Field, along with fencing, winterizing and preparing for spring launch.

In the future, in addition to the improvements eyed for Mike Maule Field, the group wants to apply infield conditioner at the top and middle fields.

Adams reported $48,421 in revenues last year and $37,311 in expenses. He stated that 60% of revenue comes from concessions and 40% from advertising.

In other business, the council:

— Authorized City Manager Dan Stoltman to pursue a grant from the Norway-Vulcan Lions Club to complete work on the softball field at Marion Park, including building the dugouts, realigning the foul poles, fencing and grading adjustments. Concrete slabs have already been poured for the dugouts and they would have the same design, but be slightly smaller, than the new dugouts at the Mike Maule Field. The city currently has about $11,000 in funds restricted for use at Marion Park and the park and recreation department. Stoltman estimates the cost of the project to be around $20,000.

— Approved spending $20,640 to relocate power lines on Oak Crest Drive. Dickinson County Road Commission will soon be starting work on Oak Crest Drive near the DTE Energy station going 1,800 feet west. The city’s power lines need to be moved to the edge of the easement, about 20 feet.

Department of Power and Light Foreman Scott Hegy said that due to the swampy conditions and amount of trees and vegetation that would need to be removed for aerial lines, he was recommending that they run the lines underground. Hegy further recommended that while they are installing the line, three more conduits should be added in the event the city needs to later put in a well. Hegy said adding the conduits in the future would be difficult, if not impossible. No outside labor needed to be calculated as Florence Utilities of Florence, Wis., is willing to come and do the underground boring.

The project was not in the budget, but money can be moved from the hydro capital budget to the distribution capital budget.

— Approved a $5,000 bid from the Dickinson County Conservation District to perform an invasive species study. The study is required by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy every two years.

— Approved a pay raise from $15 to $17.50 per hour for the Jake Menghini Historical Museum director. Stolman noted that while the city pays the museum’s utilities and donates $2,000 per year to their general operations, most of the museum’s funds come from donations and memberships so money for the raise would not necessarily be coming from the city.

The raise would cost about $300 for the remainder of the year. The raise required an amendment to resolution 2023-12 regarding pay rates for non-union employees.

— Appointed Corky DeRoeck to one of two open seats on the planning commission. The term will expire in December 2025.