QUINNESEC — Breitung Township’s 2026 to-do list has some notable additions, including lights for the Quinnesec Little League baseball and softball fields, along with paving Hydraulic Falls Road south of Breitung Cutoff Road.

The lighting project carries a price up to $130,000 while the paving is roughly estimated at $600,000.

The township board Monday learned that MJ Electric will increase the capacity of the electrical service at the Quinnesec fields to enable lights. Currently, no township fields have lights.

The board plans to use the Sourcewell purchasing system to choose a contractor. It’s hoped the work can be done this year.

In March, a grant application was submitted to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund to also install lights at the East Kingsford field, but grant recommendations won’t be made until year’s end.

Regarding Hydraulic Falls Road, Supervisor Denny Olson said talks are continuing with the Dickinson County Road Commission. Work on South Van Buren Street in East Kingsford is also part of the township’s plans, he said.

Hydraulic Falls Road leading to the Big Quinnesec Falls Dam is now gravel. The board may be asked to make a commitment soon, Olson said.

In another matter, Coleman Engineering of Iron Mountain was selected Monday to provide research and preliminary engineering for connecting the East Kingsford and Quinnesec water systems and developing a new well site. The study is funded through a $50,000 grant from the Michigan Infrastructure Office-Technical Assistance Center.

The planning could position the township to submit an application for Rural Development aid through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. No match is needed for the technical assistance grant, although initial costs could go higher with board approval.

The goal is to connect the East Kingsford water system — beginning near the East Breitung Avenue area and extending along Breitung Cutoff Road — to the Quinnesec water system near Lincoln Avenue. An additional well site would enhance system reliability, capacity and service coverage, according to Superintendent of Public Works Jay Davis.

Olson said the project would allow more development along Breitung Cutoff Road, as well as Hydraulic Falls Road.

Davis recommended Coleman for the study after proposals from Wickwire of Iron River and GEI Consultants of Iron Mountain were also reviewed. “I did talk to all the bidders,” he told the board.

Coleman’s proposal includes up to 10 soil borings and the firm already has water modeling data and is familiar with the township’s systems, Davis noted.

Meanwhile, a two-year $3.6 million project is expected to begin this fall to replace an estimated 368 water service lines in East Kingsford. It’s funded through a Michigan Drinking Water State Revolving Fund package that includes a loan of $1,792,500, plus a grant in the same amount.

Across Michigan, communities are required to replace service lines containing lead — and galvanized lines previously connected to lead — by 2041.

In other action Monday, the township board —

— Awarded a bid totaling $47,416 to Nocerini Construction of Crystal Falls to replace two doors at the Quinnesec fire station, two doors each at the Quinnesec and East Kingsford ice rinks, and one door each at the Breitung Township Hall kitchen and the East Kingsford fire station. Bids were also received from St. George Glass & Window of Iron Mountain and MBM Construction of Kingsford. Nocerini’s was the lowest offer with completion in six to 10 weeks.

— Will expect a recommendation next month from township fire officials on the acquisition of a side-by-side utility vehicle, trailer and fire response skid unit. Bids opened Monday came from Redline Sport and Marine of Norway and Ride North Ishpeming, but none included a trailer. The total cost may be $60,000 or more, depending on trailer quotes.

— Opened bids from G. Brooks Electric and B&B Electric, both of Iron Mountain, to supply a backup power system for the township hall. B&B’s was the lowest offer at $84,774 and the proposals will be reviewed. The request for quotes, including generator and automatic transfer specifications, was 23 pages.

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