SHELBY - Monday, March 9, the Shelby Village Council approved resolutions related to the sale of village property, a memo of understanding with the fire department, a donation for the annual Hazardous Waste Collection Day and two road closure requests.
Orchard View Drive resident Tom Kirk, whose property adjoins a small plot of village land and an unused village water tank, has offered $5,000 for the property and to remediate it at his own expense. The tank has been out of service since 2018. However, before the sale can be finalized, EGLE (Energy, Great Lakes and Environment) is requiring the village to fully disconnect and cap the line attached to the water tank.
The council considered quotes from three local contractors that evening, ultimately approving a quote from White Lake Excavating for $8,000. The quote would also include the installation of a flushing hydrant to improve the DPW’s ability to flush the line in that area.
According to Village Administrator Phil Morse's memo to council, the removal of Tank Hill was listed in the village’s Capital Improvement Plan for FY29-30. “Completing the disconnection now would advance that timeline and allow the village to transfer the property to an interested buyer sooner, at a significantly less cost, than undertaking full removal in the future.”
In order to align with one of the adopted recommendations from the recent Water and Sewer Rate Study conducted by the Michigan Rural Water Association, the Village of Shelby and the Shelby/Benona Fire Department have agreed to enter into a Memo of Understanding (MOU) regarding the assessment of Ready-to-Serve (RTS) and usage charges.
The MOU states a water meter will be installed inside the fire department to measure water usage for laundry, restrooms and supply sinks. The fire department will be billed for water and sewer RTS fees and accompanying inside water usage. The water line outside, used for filling trucks and washing equipment, will remain unmetered.
“We’re not picking on the fire department. The village only wishes to identify accounts not currently assessed at an RTS fee and implement appropriate billing for water and sewer usage,” Morse added.
Finally, council approved their annual contribution to the 2026 Manistee, Mason and Oceana Conservation District’s (MMOCD) Household Hazardous Waste collection held annually in August. While the MMOCD recommended $978.75 for this year’s donation, using the most recent census data of 2,175 people at $.45 per resident, the council approved donating the amount they have for the past couple of years, $550.
In preparation for events happening later this summer, council approved two road closure requests. One for July 9, when The Ladder will be holding a 10th Anniversary celebration. Maple and Second streets will be closed from 4-8 p.m. that evening to more safely and comfortably accommodate extra outdoor events they have planned. The other street closing will be on July 10 and 11, when the village will hold its second annual Chainsaw Festival. Michigan Avenue between Third and Fourth streets will be closed from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. both days to allow carvers plenty of room to work on sculptures and the public space and safety to enjoy the downtown area and all that will be taking place during the festival.
