Agenda, water notices, fire & safety reports, Lake Effect, and snow snake.
NOV 17, 2025
Thursday’s Agenda
A reminder that this month’s meeting is at noon instead of 7, because at 6 on Thursday night there’s a presentation at the Life Saving Station from the recommended developer for the State Land Bank property.
At the November Planning Commission meeting, chair Jon Ottinger mentioned that he would not be seeking to renew his membership on the five-member commission after December. Under New Business No. 3 we have a Planning Commission resignation. A quorum for this important commission is 3 members, so it’s important that someone(s) step up for vacant positions to make sure the commission can do its work in case one or more people are absent. You can always apply for a position on any Village committee or commission with this form. I dropped off my application for Planning & Zoning and the Code Review Committee on 11/4.
Note that, per Arlene Sweeting of Elberta Heritage Center, whom I reached today, that NB5 about the gaming license will be struck from the agenda because she says it’s not necessary (EHC will not be holding a raffle as originally thought). But there will be a silent auction at their December 7 “WUWU Whoop-Dee-Doo” fundraiser at the Oliver Art Center, intended to raise money for the acquisition of the Elberta Library/Mercantile for the heritage center and radio station studio. The local band the Handstanders will be performing.
Fire & Safety Reports and Tips for October to November
Here are the materials provided by Chief Michael Cederholm for this month’s council meeting, including the Elberta Fire & EMS run reports. Thanks, Chief!
Two Water Notices
The two notices many residents received this month are related to water-test reports our water operator, Chris Pritchard, is required to file. According to President Wilkins via email today: “The recent violation [noticed November 10] occurred because a sample was taken one day earlier than the EGLE-required date. It was retaken within the correct timeframe, and results from the accurate testing dates were reported in September as required. The issue was with sampling timing, not water quality results.”
Chris Pritchard today said the first notice, posted on the Village website on November 6, had to do with reporting from last year in August, in which the water testing laboratory used by us and several communities locally, SOS Analytical, failed to submit the test to EGLE the way they usually do. Pritchard said the snafu may have been related to the test results getting lost in the shuffle around the time the person tasked with submitting the results was running for sheriff. He said Benzonia was also among the communities affected by the paperwork slipup, with a reporting violation at the time for the same reason.
As of Justin Towle’s resignation in September, we have just one DPW staff member, Chris Cervantes, and no DPW Superintendent. Justin was seeking his water license last year before he left. I asked Wilkins what the plan was to fill the DPW positions and whether the water operator role might be brought in house, as it has been occasionally in the past, for example under Ken Bonney. She said “DPW and the water operator are separate roles. The recent violations fall under the water operator’s responsibilities. We are currently accepting applications for DPW positions.”
In September, council adopted updated job descriptions for DPW Superintendent, and DPW Assistant, and Streets Administrator.
Lake Effect to Close Its Doors This Friday
If you get a chance during this busy week (and you didn’t spend all your money across the street at the rummage sale Saturday), stop on by Lake Effect Consignment & Resale at 703 Frankfort Avenue (the former Thomas’s store and Shear Class Salon and Spa & Affordable Art) to get some deals.
Art Down in Manistee
I still can’t believe it’s not summer anymore, so I was pleased to learn that one of the most charming fourth of July weekend cultural events is being re-created indoors to warm my cold blood. Kristine Harvey, FEAS art educator, is part of the team that makes the Snake Around Portage Lake, and this event at the Ramsdell. Works by local visual-art luminaries, including Mrs. Harvey, are on display in Hardy Hall Gallery until December 14. The Hardy Hall Gallery is open from noon to 3 pm, seven days a week, unless otherwise posted.
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