IRON RIVER TOWNSHIP—If there are problems getting the beetle population settled in at Iron Lake, don’t blame the neighboring states.

That was the gist of the update from Jason Wicklund, DNR conservation officer, at the Iron River Township Board’s July 8 meeting.

“People on the lake are residents,” said Wicklund. “They’re not coming from Wisconsin; they’re coming from the lake. This lake doesn’t see a high use in the summer.”

He said that there are better lakes in Iron County now for fishing.

Wicklund told the group of residents at the meeting that he has been patrolling the lake, both on the water and on the shore.

“Just because you don’t see me, doesn’t me I’m not there,” he said.

Regarding the beetles, which the Iron Lake association recently had installed to combat the growing infestation of Eurasian milfoil, Wicklund noted that the lake association didn’t approve a buoy permit to section off the area where the beetles where planted to keep boats away.

I’m not seeing an ingress of people coming in. The boats I’ve checked, all are from Michigan.”

Resident John Makela noted that he believed the milfoil was coming in from water fowl and wading birds.

“But it spreads a lot more with boats,” said Makela.

Two other residents, Carol Dallavalle and Greg Kramer, both noted seeing boats and trailers from Wisconsin.

“A month ago, there were two trucks and two trailers in the parking lot,” said Kramer. “One from Wisconsin, one from Illinois.”

Dallavalle added that twice she noticed a trailer at the boat landing from Wisconsin. She also said she had found an old blanket and an old sewing machine at the site.

“We’ll do our part,” said Supervisor Mark Polley. “The signs are up. We can’t be out there 24.7. From what I see, it’s got to be people from the lake.

“I’ll tell them to go and look,” Polley told Dallavalle. “We’re trying to do our part, Carol.”

Dallavalle noted that the lake association would not be meeting until August.

A popular and proud landmark in the township is seeing some signs of aging and residents are looking for some financial help to get the Beechwood Hall back in shape. One area of obvious concern is the hall’s windows.

Polley and Trustee Dennis Turner have been talking with Harold and Marcia Bernhardt about possible grants and historic site designations, but both Bernhardts noted there isn’t much in the way of grant funding available at this time.

“We can get on the historical list, but there’s no grant money available at this time,” said Polley. “It’s up to the Beechwood residents.”

Polley said he would like to talk to STS Consultants to look at the building to see if it’s structural safe, “before we spend a lot of money on it,” he said.

Turner noted that the building is structural safe.

“When I was on the board before, we put a new roof on it,” said Turner. “When was the last time the township spent any money on it. I know the Amvets spent some money there.”

“We painted and also purchased the paint,” said Makela, a member of the Amvets organization.

He added that the organization has some $1,200 designated for hall work.

“We got volunteers from out of town who said they would come up to help,” said Makela. “The Beechwood Hall is used 10 times more than this hall.”

Polley repeated that he would like someone to look at it first.

“All I’m asking is someone who knows what to do. A carpenter, insurance adjuster… come up and look at it,” said Polley, who suggested the township’s insurance company be called in to give an opinion, so that work could begin before the cold weather makes an appearance.

In other action, the board, by a 4-0 vote, approved $50 to the West Side Veterans Council for fireworks and then added another $50.

Makela told the board that the West Side Veterans had sent the township a letter last year regarding donating to the organization.

“And no action was taken on it,” said Makela.

The board noted that it had not received any letter from him or the West Side Veterans. Makela said he knew the township had received the letter and questioned why it had not been brought before the board for action.

“I know it was delivered here,” said Makela. “To me, it’s a federal offense not to bring it to the attention of the board,” he said.

The board approved the purchase of two new Michigan Township Officials book, at $27 each, and also two new planning and zoning books, at $45 each, when the updated books are available.

In his report to the board, Public Works Foreman Ron Froblom said the crew had an emergency shut-off call when a home was discovered with water coming out of the siding of the home.

“I don’t know if it’s been leaking since spring,” said Froblom. “It’s not occupied now and was empty this winter, but you’d think the owner would have checked on it this spring.”

Kramer, a member of the zoning board, noted that this home also had a couple of buildings that were ready to fall down and needed to be taken down or repaired.

“It’s a blight issue,” he said.

Dallavalle continued her quest to have work done on North Iron Lake Road.

“Not this year,” Polley told her. “We’re trying for a road millage and we have set funds aside,” he said.

“Why not put two requests on the ballot,” Dallavalle told Polley. “Two mills for five years or 1 ½ mills for three years,” she said.

Laturi said she didn’t know if the township could do that, but would check with the county clerk.

“If you give them a choice, they will vote for one or the other,” said Dallavalle.