CASPIAN—Combining forces might be the only way for local municipalities to deal with the increasing cost of diesel fuel and gasoline, Caspian City Manager noted at the city’s April 9 meeting.

Frighetto gave a brief review of a recent meeting held at the Iron County Road Commission where discussions centered on local government agencies, including West Iron County Public Schools, the cities of Iron River, Caspian and Gaastra, the Road Commission and perhaps the townships to organize a co-op effort to purchase diesel fuel and gasoline in bulk to lower these costs in the future.

Frighetto noted that some said there could be some 30 to 35 centers per gallon savings if purchased in bulk.

He added that Road Board Supervisor Doug Tomasoski would be putting an article in the paper to see if there what kind of interest there would be for bids.

County Board Chair Rosalie King suggested that the Iron County Sheriff’s Office be included in the plan.

The demolition status of two city buildings was among agenda items at the Caspian City Commission’s April 9 meeting.

Updating the commissioners on the structures, attorney Dennis Tousignant noted one building should come down by June 1 or the city could take down the structure and attempt to recover the costs from the owners.

The other building continues to be a problem with the high cost of getting rid of the asbestos. An inspection done again by Pearson Asbestos Removal of Escanaba put the costs of isolation and removal of the substance would cost the city from $33,000 to $38,000. The remainder of the debris then could be taken to a regular landfill, the commission was informed.

However, City Manager Richard Frighetto noted that this would put the total cost back to the original $61,000 as submitted by Ryan Excavating.

Frighetto said a telephone conference with State Rep. Mike Lahti, Steve Polich and Tammie Marinello of the city’s DDA (Downtown Development Authority) was set for April 23 to see if the Lahti could assist with removal of the building at a more reasonable cost and in a quick time frame.

Frighetto reported that the new police vehicle should be available about April 28. Also, he said, both of the city’s First Responder grants have been approved.

Later in the meeting, the commission approved the bid from Oshkosh Fire & Police Equipment for the new foam system for $7,492, and the bid from El-Com Services Inc. of Marquette for the portable radios and equipment for the two fire trucks for $2,362, including installation.

Under new business, Frighetto reported that the city charter representative change group is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, May 13, at 5 p.m. at city hall. Approximately eight individuals will be on this committee, said Frighetto, to review the city charter and to propose any changes.

Frighetto said the 2008-2009 budget was being prepared and asked commissioners that they submit their input before the public hearing on Wednesday, May 14, at 5 p.m.

The budget does not change much from previous years, said Frighetto, as revenues are fairly stable but rising expenses are creating the challenge. The city, he said, will have to look at all areas to obtain cost reductions in the future.

Nominating petitions for the three commissioner openings will be due in his office on Tuesday, June 3, at 3:30 p.m. Commissioners whose terms end in January 2009 are Leo Remondini, Gary Sabol and Mark Stauber.

A request from the U.P. Rodeo Championship Committee was tabled to allow the city manager to ask the DDA make this contribution. The manager was also instructed to check on the dollar amount the city gave last year.­

The city manager will report back to the commission at its upcoming special meeting.

Stauber said his company, Northeastern Products, is interested in purchasing a parcel of land from the city, west of his existing facility along Museum Drive, as part of its continued expansion.

Frighetto has requested surveyor Gary Pisoni to furnish a legal description of the property before the commission puts the parcel out on bids and sets a minimum price.

The commission approved a logging contract with Rich Shamion of RRBR Wood Products Inc. to log poplar and hardwood off of the Spring Valley subdivision and property west of the water tower down to M189.

Frighetto said Commissioner Joe Sabol and Mayor Stauber looked at the area and a buffer zone was ensured west of 5th Street atop of the hill to minimize any possible complaints for clear-cutting close to residents’ lots.

Shamion said he should get about 200 cords of wood from the area and the city would get $21 per cord for poplar pulp and hardwood pulp. The city would get $26 per cord for poplar bolts and hardwood bolts.