IRON MOUNTAIN — Five new automated dialers that aid in monitoring and managing Iron Mountain’s water and sewer utilities will be installed at an initial cost of $20,500, with an expected payback on the investment of about 2 1/2 years.

City Manager Jordan Stanchina explained at a council meeting this week that AT&T will discontinue service to all copper telephone lines in the next few years. The current cost for the city’s copper AT&T lines is $200 per month at two sewer lift stations, a storm water lift station and a well site.

As approved by the council, those four sites, along with another lift station, will be serviced soon by cellular dialers provided by PJ Kortens & Co. of Appleton, Wis. After installation, the monthly fee per line will fall to $15.

In another matter, the city renewed its existing contract with PJ Kortens for telemetry services for water and sewer systems. The quarterly fee for the upcoming year will be $1,760, an increase of $60.

In other action, the council:

— Renewed the city’s property and liability insurance coverage through Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority, at an annual premium cost of $122,555, an increase of 11.2%. Premiums have gone up in recent years as insurers account for higher property replacement costs, Stanchina said.

— Opened bids and approved the following purchases, provided they meet specifications: a Walker rear-discharge mower for the cemetery from O.K. Rental Sales & Services of Ishpeming at $23,986; a John Deere tractor-style mower for public works from Northland Lawn, Sport & Equipment of Ishpeming at $15,036 and a John Deere zero-turn mower for public works from the same vendor at $6,743.

— Accepted, if specifications are met, the low bids from Bill Neuens Landscaping of Iron Mountain for 2,000 tons of winter sand at $19,480 and 1,500 tons of 22A gravel at $17,625.

— Agreed to hire PK Contracting Inc. of Troy to provide line striping on major streets, along with pavement markings. The rough estimate for this year’s services is $23,500. PK is the only contractor doing this type of work, Stanchina said.

— Approved replacement of an emergency generator for a fire department and public works radio tower. The purchase will be through Northwoods Electrical Contracting of Niagara, Wis., at $8,800.

— After receiving no bids, authorized Stanchina to seek quotes for the purchase of a modular aluminum trench box. The equipment provides safe and flexible shoring protection for workers during excavation and trenching operations. The budget is $12,000.

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Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.