QUINNESEC — Beck’s Ornamental & Turf Management Inc. has been chosen to resurface Breitung Township’s soccer field in Quinnesec and install an irrigation system.

The Norway company bid $77,804 for the project. G & J Site Solutions Inc. of Calumet submitted a bid of $239,999, leading the Breitung Township Board to question the difference in costs.

John Beck, the owner of Beck’s, explained to the board Monday how he would complete the project.

First the current vegetation would be completely removed. “It has to be as brown as the desert,” he said.

The field then would be built back up with compost and top soil for better water retention. The irrigation system would be wired to the concession building.

Hydro-seeding would be added so the field would have grass like the St Mary’s Soccer Complex on Pine Mountain Road.

The board indicated they want to see the field completed by Oct. 31.

In other business, the board:

— Approved a resolution to name the “tot lot” playground in Quinnesec the Mary Dixon Tot Lot in honor of her years of dedication to children’s recreation. She headed the Quinnesec School Playground Association in 1996 to establish the park/playground for children when the Quinnesec School was demolished. Dixon, who passed away in 2021, managed the Quinnesec Ice Rink for 38 years and was instrumental in the creation of the “Christmas in Quinnesec” program. An outdoor aluminum plaque will be purchased.

— Agreed to send a survey to fire department members on their preference for a new chief. There are two candidates.

— Authorized sending deputy clerk Deborah Hansen and potentially clerk Hannah Chrivia to a Clerk’s Professional Development Retreat set for Sept. 29-30 in Frankenmuth. It is sponsored by the Michigan Townships Association. Cost would be $367 per person for the retreat, and $516 plus tax per person for three nights of lodging, with some additional costs for meals and mileage.

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Marguerite Lanthier can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 85242, or mlanthier@ironmountaindailynews.com.