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QUINNESEC -- Breitung Township is making administrative changes, including hiring former Norway City Manager Ray Anderson to serve as interim township manager.
As the township transitions to a permanent manager, it must also replace Township Assessor Justin Murawski, who has accepted a position in Marquette County.
With Anderson attending his first meeting Monday, the township board accepted Murawski's resignation notice with regret. Murawski, who came to the township in April 2021, has been a great asset, Supervisor Denny Olson said.
"We got him away from Marquette County and they got him back from us," Olson remarked.
Anderson, meanwhile, will fill a void after the departure seven months ago of Superintendent Steve Mulka, who had served as township superintendent since May 2019.
The township earlier this year contracted with Randell Girard of Marquette -- a consultant and former Marquette Township manager -- to offer staffing recommendations. After Girard's study wrapped up, several changes were implemented at a June 29 special meeting.
The moves included several new job descriptions and a 3% wage increase for salaried employees retroactive to Jan. 1.
A new township manager description was approved as well, along with contracting with Anderson as interim manager. Holli Hehn, deputy assessor, was assigned to an additional role as deputy supervisor.
Olson on Monday said he was glad to see Anderson come on board and Hehn provide support, adding, "We're making progress."
Anderson served nearly 23 years as Norway city manager, retiring in 2022. He has since worked as a management consultant.
In other action, the township board --
-- Will continue to review a $124,170 bid received from BS&A Software for municipal software services. The township is seeking a cloud-based municipal software system to replace its current on-premises system with funding through the federal State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program. Also under review are proposals for cybersecurity services from Timber Ridge Tech Consultants and Pursuit Markets Inc.
--Noted that lighting projects have been completed at the Little League baseball and softball fields in Quinnesec. The work was done through Musco Sports Lighting LLC of Oskaloosa, Iowa, at a cost of $146,652.
-- Learned that a portable electronic traffic warning sign is ready for use in the township to encourage speed limit compliance. A speed limit increase to 40 mph is set to take effect on Breitung Avenue east of the Kingsford city limits after a study done by Michigan State Police. The Kingsford section of the road will remain at 25 mph, including at the north entrance to the Grede foundry.
-- Has referred to the Dickinson County Road Commission a request from Jeremy Remondelli to abandon the undeveloped portion of McKinley Street in East Kingsford between Withworth and Sagola avenue.
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Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.