IRON RIVER—Interest in forming a fuel co-op is gaining speed for the Iron County Road Commission, west side municipalities and the West Iron School District.

At its April 15 regular meeting, ICRC Superintendent Doug Tomasoski reported on meeting with interested city and school officials on April 4 to discuss the feasibility and cost of a co-operative gas and diesel fuel facility. Attending were representatives from Iron River, Caspian, Gaastra and West Iron schools.

Above ground and underground systems were compared, with a vendor and a local business which currently uses a bulk fuel system adding input. Tomasoski said above ground tanks would cost from $100,000 to $120,000; the vendor felt an underground system would be less expensive, at approximately $50,000 to $70,000. Those estimates don’t include a dispensing and accounting system.

It was estimated a co-op would use about 100,000 gallons of fuel a year, with savings of about 12-15 cents per gallon realized by purchasing gas and diesel in bulk quantities.

“We’re getting the figures as to expense and savings now,” Tomasoski said. Other factors he is looking into is insurance, and, he said, the “how and who” of the proposal—how much would each contributor be responsible for financially, and who would administrate the program, as well as where the bulk facility might be located.

“All were interested,” said ICRC Chairman Wayne Wales. “If there’s a way to make this work, let’s move forward.”

in other business, the board continues to solicit comments and suggestions for a countywide road millage, even though, as Wales noted, “if the cities are going to shoot this down, why bother?”

Crystal Falls Township Supervisor Tom Lessandrini suggested the road board approach the county allocation board. Following discussion, the road board approved sending a letter to the allocation board requesting ½ mill.

--The Bates-Amasa Road project, which will include a section from the Bates Cemetery to Paulson Road will be bid out in August. The Road Board, along with Bates Township Supervisor Ernie Schmidt are particularly interested in the Lake 15 intersection, which was the scene of a near accident with a school bus on Feb. 11.

A logging truck, driving at a high rate of speed approached the school bus, which was stopped, with its lights flashing, picking up children. The school bus driver managed to pull the bus off the road and avoid a collision. The poor visibility at this intersection is due to trees and a hill blocking the view, which will be corrected with the road project.

--The sale of the ICRC’s Crystal Falls properties can move ahead. Environmental reports have been received indicating below-level readings for contaminants. Wales suggested that revenue from the sales be used to purchase crack sealing equipment.

--Discussion of implementing a no-smoking policy in all trucks, tabled from last month, was reviewed. The board felt the decision should be made by a majority of the employees.

--Bids for culverts, pavement marking crack and chip sealing materials and cold patch were opened and given to Tomasoski to review and award.

--The board approved renting equipment from James Spicer for screening road sand, at a cost of $6,475 per month for a total of 176 hours maximum.