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IRON MOUNTAIN -- A pre-construction meeting is scheduled for Friday as Bacco Construction Co. of Iron Mountain prepares for a $3.6 million project to replace an estimated 368 water service lines in East Kingsford.
Breitung Township Public Works Superintendent Jay Davis said he expects to learn whether any work will begin this fall, although the bulk of it will take place in 2027.
Across Michigan, communities are required to replace water service lines containing lead -- and galvanized lines previously connected to lead -- by 2041.
According to Davis, the service lines being addressed come under the state's order due to "gooseneck" connections that contain lead. Even though galvanized steel lines are not made of lead, corroded galvanized pipe over time can act as a "collector" for lead released upstream, according to the state's order.
Bacco in June was awarded a $2,881,517 contract for the East Kingsford work after being the low bidder among seven firms that submitted proposals. Coleman Engineering Co. of Iron Mountain, the project engineer, has indicated the goal is to bring all of East Kingsford into compliance.
The project is funded through a Michigan Drinking Water State Revolving Fund package that includes a loan of $1,792,500, plus a matching grant. In addition to covering engineering and construction costs, the funding allows $215,000 for contingencies.
Restoration such as roadway paving, as well as sidewalk and driveway repairs, is included in the project cost. In December, the township board approved a $10 monthly increase in fixed water charges to help meet its service line replacement obligations.
In Quinnesec, the township has identified 176 service lines for replacement due to lead gooseneck connections. On Monday, Davis informed the township board that about a third of that project has been accomplished to date.
Bacco is also currently at work on an $18.4 million sewer and water project in Iron Mountain that includes an estimated 426 water service replacements. Bacco's Iron Mountain project, which began in the fall of 2025, will continue into 2027.
Also in Iron Mountain, Five Star Energy Services of Waukesha, Wis., has been awarded a $4.1 million contract for water service line replacements that will continue through 2028. It's one of three multi-million projects undertaken in Iron Mountain to meet Michigan's revised Lead and Copper Rule adopted in 2018 in response to the Flint water crisis.
In other action Monday, the Breitung Township Board --
-- Heard Interim Manager Ray Anderson report discussions are taking place with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy on reaching the state’s benchmarks for recycling access. Curbside recycling is the goal for platted areas within the township, although the state has yet to introduce penalties for communities that miss the mark.
-- Is advertising to hire an administrative assistant-code enforcement clerk after accepting the resignation of Julia Miller with regret Oct. 12. The acceptance included an offer of a letter of recommendation from the township. The position was initially posted internally for seven days.
-- Received an update from Mindy Urban, executive director of the Dickinson Area Economic Development Alliance, who encouraged participation in the alliance's housing needs survey at https://www.daeda.org/post/dickinson-county-housing-needs-assessment. Urban also responded positively upon hearing the township's plans to develop a list of township-owned parcels that are suitable for new homes. The DAEDA, she noted, has a Board of Directors with 20 members and benefited from the services of 108 individual volunteers over the past year.
--Took no action after being informed an order had been placed through the clerk's office to provide T-shirts for elections workers at a cost of $1,250. Trustee Michael Day said he would prefer that the election chairperson simply enforce a policy requiring appropriate attire with no political wording or graphics. Trustee Ben Peterson had objected to the spending, before learning the order had already been placed. Trustee Sharon Reuter said the board had at one time OK'd such a purchase, although no one had designated that the shirts shouldn't be blue or red. The shirts now ordered are black.
Anderson explained he had put the item on the agenda, but noted the purchase is within the office's spending authority.
-- Approved an additional 15 hours of work by the Central Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Regional Commission to assist with an audit of the township's zoning ordinance, including language that meets statutory requirements introduced in the past five to 10 years. The initial price was based on 25 hours, including 10 free hours as a CUPPAD member. With the additional hours, the not to exceed price will be $3,300.
-- In response to a citizen's request for signs to prohibit engine braking on a section of East Breen Avenue, recommended a discussion with the Dickinson County Road Commission. Supervisor Denny Olson said he will also look into it.
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Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.