By Douglas P. Marsh
dmarsh@cherryroad.com

At their regular meeting June 3, the West Branch City Council discussed the potential benefits of making permanent the temporary 4-way stops at the intersections of North First and State streets as well as Wright and South Fourth streets. The temporary 4-way stops were installed as construction shifted from phase one to phase two during the past couple of weeks.

“We’ve been requested several times to consider 4-way stops that are at North First and State, to leave them as permanent,” said city manager John Dantzer. “We’ve also started to get some at Wright and South Fourth.”

“I think they’re both good decisions,” said councilor Ellen Pugh. “Especially the one by the school.”

“With First and State it has been a huge benefit,” agreed councilor Rusty Showalter.

“And people are used to it now,” added Pugh.

Dantzer said he would begin the process to make the changes permanent. He also asked the council to consider which would be preferable between a full or partial closure of Houghton Avenue between First and Fairview streets in phase three. A full closure would potentially accelerate the project timeline. Kim Mullins, an MDOT senior transportation technician, provided details as to the potential benefits and drawbacks of the two options.

“It’s an interesting project and I know there’s a lot of different opinions about it,” said Mullins. “We’re just trying to get it built and get it back.”

Mullins and West Branch Police Chief Ken Walters traded expressions of gratitude handling a difficult transition from phase one to phase two the Tuesday after Memorial Day.

“Ken and his troops have helped us out tremendously,” she said.

Chief Walters said Mullins’ local ties have made managing issues around the construction project easier. The council agreed unanimously to plan for a full closure of Houghton Avenue between First and Fairview streets in phase three. Mullins also responded to a council comment about the south terminus of Fairview Street being worked on yet again.

“Last fall Fairview was shut down because of AT&T’s contractor—they hit the water main,” said Mullins. “Somebody said, ‘Well why didn’t you guys just do all your work then?’ Unfortunately we didn’t have the time or the equipment and it was an emergency situation.”

The council also approved sole-source bids for downtown benches, mower parts and an insurance policy renewal. They agreed to mow a city property that belongs to the Ogemaw County Land Bank and approved special event permits for the Classy Chassis Car Show June 29 and Orange Barrel Polka July 20.

The next meeting of the West Branch City Council is scheduled for 6 p.m. on June 17 at West Branch City Hall, 121 N. Fourth St.