City Hears Sewer Lift Station/Grinder Solution

By DIANNE ALWARD-BIERY

Cleaver Senior Staff Writer

HARRISON – The Harrison City Council heard a proposal at its April 20 meeting which could solve an ongoing problem of required grinder stations, their prevalence and maintenance.

Visiting the meeting was Vikki Paulus, who had sought assistance and voiced concern regarding a cat which had been left to its own devices after its owner passed away. The cat had refused to be approached, went missing for a while, and eluded capture. Paulus came to inform Council that the cat had finally been caught, taken to the animal shelter, and had been adopted by a local woman. Happy ending, right? Actually...that’s when things shifted to the left. When the adoptive parent got home to Dodge City, while removing the cat carrier from the car, it had opened and...yeah...the cat bolted. So, once a free spirit, always a free spirit.

Also attending was Brian Rowley, engineer with Fleis & Vanden Brink Engineering, who addressed council with a that could be undertaken using the contingency money left over from previous project. It involved lift station No. 9 at Budd Lake and Maple Street. He had taken a fresh look at an alternative that’s a plus for residents and the City. It involves building a new lift station 300 feet down the road to the city owned parcel with a gravel drive, where MDOT has a storm sewer pipe. Rowley explained that all the existing gravity lines would remain the same, and that it would minimize the impact to residents as there would be no institution of individual grinders.

He said USDA is requesting it be done this year, and he was working on getting plans revised and permitted, adding that the project can be done as a change order with the existing contractor Sterling….which would require no additional USDA funds.

Rowley said the plan would be submitted to EGLE, then also would learn in August or September if a potential 50% EGLE State Revolving Fund would be awarded.

Sam Russell, DPW superintendent, explained that it would be much safer for workers who would no longer have to work in a confined space deep underground. The controls would all be above ground.

Fire Chief Barry Wallace Jr. reported 147 runs year-to-date. He noted his department had assisted with the Evart water rescues, and having rescued a couple people and a whole lot of animals. He noted that previous Friday water had been peaking at 16 feet, which meant chest-high water on the roadway. However, it was an opportune training moment.

Wallace listed the various events his department had participated in, including the egg drop at the airport and the fire extinguishing demonstration at the Harrison VFW. Also, all contracts had been received from the townships.

Wallace then went on to describe his intention to do some soft billing by hiring a third party to pursue fire billing from insurance companies, i.e., homeowner policy companies. He also noted that Consumers Energy is not currently being billed for all the time the HCFD spends guarding downed power lines or for assists to MMR Ambulance Service, adding that a policy is needed to state who and when. Wallace assured it was his intent to exhaust all options for residents before considering any increase to the fire millage.

Russell reported that the leaf truck – “everybody’s favorite toy to watch” – was out and about, and that the park was almost cleaned out and ready to go. He also sought and received approval to replace the troublesome multi-meter with a UIS with SCADA programing for Lift Station 2, which he said will make it easier to work on. He also noted work on Maple Grove Cemetery in preparation for Memorial Day.

Justin Cavanaugh, city manager, informed there would be a special meeting at 5 p.m. May 4, and that he would be getting an EMCOG update. He also said there would be a May 1 ribbon cutting at the new concessions building in conjunction with the opening day of Little League. He also informed of the benefit City vs. County Softball Game slated for May 16. Another ribbon cutting is planned for 5 p.m. May 21 for the new pickleball courts at the park.

Cavanaugh also spoke of the previous Harrison Planning Public Hearing attended by five citizens who offered suggestions. He emphasized that such public input would not be possible if the bills before the Lansing Legislature (Michigan House Bills 5581, 5582 and 5585) are passed, as they would soundly change what is and is not allowed for zoning by taking that authority away from local units.

Also noted was the recent closing of the doors at the Harrison Area Chamber of Commerce, which has led to the City taking on the Memorial Day Car Show and the Fourth of July parade. He closed by saying it will be a busy couple of weeks, and that it will be busy until September.

Under New Business, Council moved to:

-Adopt Resolution 2026-10 approving a special beer festival license for The Lynx.

-Adopt Resolution 2026-11 stating the City’s opposition to Michigan House Bills 5581, 5582 and 5585.

Council also heard a first reading of Ordinance 2026-01 designating compensation of the Mayor and Council Members.

Harrison City Council meets next at 6 p.m. Monday, May 4 (preceded by a 5 p.m. hearing as noted above) at City Hall, 2105 Sullivan Drive.