CRYSTAL FALLS TOWNSHIP—At the Crystal Falls Township’s informational meeting held on March 27, Supervisor Tom Lesandrini reported that the township s looking at future objectives, and hopefully more grant money will become available to do some of them.

The biggest concern though, is the township’s sewer system, which is very old and has some serious problems, he said.

He is also concerned with the lagoon system and future DEQ mandates.

“I have been getting calls from residents concerning the requirement to replace old galvanized water lines,” Lesandrini said. “When the township entered a contract with (funding source) Rural Development, RD wanted all of the old galvanized lines to be replaced with either copper or plastic because they are safer and would have less leaks.”

Residents are being given until October to change them over, and Rural Development has a low-interest loan program available for those who qualify based on income. Loan packets are available at the township hall.

“Copper costs about $3 a foot and plastic costs about $1 a foot,” Bal said, “and generally, copper is buried seven feet deep and plastic is buried eight feet deep. Copper has been used successfully for years, and plastic is proving to be good. There are pros and cons to using each.

“The township, during its water project, has been changing its galvanized lines over, too

“The township went into this project with about 50 to 60 percent leakage,” Bal continued, noting “most of that is on private services lines. Once they are fixed, residents will save thousands of gallons of water a day, so it is worth it to get them changed over.”

Lesandrini noted a hole as small as one quarter of an inch can leak 30,000 gallons a day.

“I know it’s a hardship for some people,” he said, “but in the long run they know it’s better to replace them.”

Concerning the water meters, he said staff will begin reading meters in October and will be contacting residents if the numbers seem high. This will give them two months to take care of any problems before billing begins in November.

Turning to roads, Lesandrini noted Crystal Falls Township is “probably the most aggressive when it comes to roads, spending an average of $200,000 per year. We are working with the Road Commission to gravel and ditch several roads this summer, using the township’s gravel supply from Peterson Creek.”

The township spent about $36,000 in chloride last year and plans on putting $40,000 into this year’s budget for chloride. It is used for dust control, plus it keeps the road solid and in place, for less run off and wash outs.

This summer, Bible Camp Road will be completed during the water project. Next year, parts of Idlewild and Lind roads will be done. They are primary roads under the Road Commission’s jurisdiction.

“Using the budgeted $200,000, the township will do a section of road each year until they are completed, and will then move on to other roads and complete them in sections,” said Lesandrini.

He noted road work is done with Act 51 funds.

“When we purchase gasoline,” he explained, “the taxes stay in the county where the gas was bought. So if we buy our gas in Iron County, the tax dollars stay in Iron County.”

Lesandrini and other township supervisors have approached the Road Commission about contracting road work with private construction firms, and only using the Road Commission to administer the projects.

“They are open to listen to us about the issue,” he said.

Before the meeting closed, Clerk Joanne Seppala shared information about upcoming elections. The last day to register to vote in the May 6 school election is April 7. To vote in the August primary, register by July 7 and to vote in the November general election, register by Oct. 6.

To run for office in the primary election, residents must fill out three forms, all available at the town hall. The first is an affidavit of identity, the second is candidate committee information and the third is a petition for gathering signatures. They must be returned to Seppala by May 14.

If anyone is interested in being an election worker, applications are also available at the hall. Election workers begin the day at 7 a.m. and end around 10 p.m. They make $9 an hour.

The next Crystal Falls Township Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 8, beginning at 4:30 p.m.