Ellsworth council approves school crosswalk signs, fence posts, appointments and routine payments

ELLWORTH — The Village of Ellsworth council unanimously approved a set of routine purchases and administrative actions at its April 13 regular meeting at Banks Township Hall.

The council voted 7-0 to accept several motions including the purchase of crosswalk signs to be placed near the school at a total cost of $1,047, with the school agreeing to pay half; the purchase of fence posts for the village recycling property for $504.99; and payment to Performance Engineering for $6,052.47. The motions were moved and seconded as recorded in the meeting minutes and each carried 7-0.

Separately, the council appointed M. Bennett to replace L. Spearing as president pro tem, approved the Labyrinth Garden Party scheduled for May 2 and voted to pay the bills presented at the meeting. All votes were recorded as 7-0.

The minutes also record departmental maintenance needs discussed at the meeting. The public works report noted the lawn tractor needs replacement and that the village’s pickup truck is out of commission; the minutes list an estimated replacement cost of about $42,000 and note that four-year financing through Charlevoix State Bank at approximately 4% interest is an option. The minutes record that signage near the school needs replacement and that the school agreed to split the $1,047 cost.

The council first approved the minutes of the March 9 regular meeting and the March 18 special meeting, and later adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

Votes at a glance: purchase crosswalk signs (mover: L. Spearing; second: J. Rasmussen) — carried 7-0; purchase fence posts (mover: J. Rasmussen; second: L. Spearing) — carried 7-0; pay Performance Engineering $6,052.47 (mover: L. Spearing; second: S. Dhillon) — carried 7-0; appoint M. Bennett as President Pro Tem (mover: L. Spearing; second: M. Bennett) — carried 7-0; approve Labyrinth Garden Party May 2 (mover: L. Spearing; second: M. Bennett) — carried 7-0; pay bills as presented (mover: S. Sowers; second: M. Bennett) — carried 7-0.

The meeting minutes do not specify which council member will manage follow-up procurement steps or financing arrangements for the truck; those items remain to be addressed in future meetings or by staff.