Bruce Mayor Rudy Pope told the board of aldermen at Tuesday night’s meeting the city has been approved for a $200,000 grant to install a turn lane for Weyerhaeuser along Hwy. 9.
Bruce Mayor Rudy Pope
Pope said he believes an additional $250,000 grant for the project is forthcoming, and the city is obligated to contribute only $10,000 for the work.
“It’s more money than we thought to get this done, but it’s important,” Pope said.
The board unanimously approved the project and the city’s obligation with alderman Steve Nelson, a Weyerhaeuser employee, abstaining.
Rose Wells, director of the local Dog Lovers League, said they would like to get started building the shelter as soon as possible on city property. Mayor Pope said the land swap with PEPA for property adjoining the city lagoon is nearly complete.
“There is plenty of land there for our shelter and lagoon needs,” Wells said. “We have people willing to donate to make this a first class shelter – concrete floors for the pens, storage facility and more. Our donors just want to make certain the money will stay with the dog shelter, and the city in a few short years won’t turn around and claim that land for another purpose.”
Wells requested a 30-year lease from the city. “If we’re not successful, the land would go back to the city,” she told the board.
Alderman Nelson questioned whether the dog shelter would pay for its water usage, citing the board policy that they don’t provide free water to anyone any more.
Mayor Pope said the board would have to look at that while it prepares final paperwork regarding deeds and to protect the city from liability issues.
No timetable was given on when a decision would be made on the terms of the lease.
In other news, Mayor Pope said he didn’t think the city should do another two month cleanup again as it just completed, citing high costs to keep staff at the city shed on Saturdays for no more than a few citizens to come down there to drop off debris.
Mayor Pope also clarified city policy that if a contractor cuts limbs, the city doesn’t pick them up. The city only provides that service to homeowners who cut limbs themselves.
Alderwoman Ellen Shaw presented a list of volunteers’ names to the aldermen to consider for the Arts Council. The names were not made public and taken under advisement by the board.
Shaw said they have checked on renting a movie to show in the theater, and the cost would be around $300 if charging no admission, and it can only be shown once. Intentions are to show one during Sawmill Festival week.
Shaw said all of the concessions equipment in the theater is in good condition except the popcorn machine. That will likely have to be replaced, she said.
Andrew Tims, with C-Spire of Oxford, told the board they are looking at locating a C-Spire representative in Bruce one day a week to assist Bruce customers and potentially evolve into selling phones in Bruce.
They are currently looking for a place to rent. The mayor and board welcomed them to get started.
Mayor Rudy Pope recognized Bruce policeman Corey Alexander for finishing first in his class at the police academy.
Bruce Chamber Secretary Carol Shoemaker gave a report on the upcoming Sawmill Festival and said it appears every spot on the square will be sold out.
“We’ve done a lot of advertising, and we’re getting an incredible turnout already,” Shoemaker said.