News
Brush cleanup will continue, despite snow
Email this story | Print this story
Tuesday, December 2, 2008 9:47 AM EST
OWOSSO - While many residents in the city were still working on cleaning the leaves and brush from the autumn, winter decided to drop in early.
The snowstorm of the last couple of days put a hitch in the city's plans as workers were in the middle of brush cleanup.
During the City Council meeting Monday, City Manager Joe Fivas said residents shouldn't worry, since crews will continue with brush pickup after plowing the snow.
“We are certainly going to do everything we can to do both,” Fivas said. “We probably got around 85 percent of the leaves before the snow hit, but we'll get to the rest soon.”
Fivas added the three snow plows worked throughout the day Monday to clear snow from the streets, and that will continue to be top priority until the snow stops.
As the winter weather creeps in, the city also is seeing the first signs of tough economic times ahead.
The Michigan Department of Transportation sent a letter notifying cities of a decreasing budget.
Mayor Pro Tem Mark Owen asked Fivas if any other warning signs had come from other departments.
“We will probably see more of this from other departments in the future,” Fivas said. “These economic times are going to mean the state is going to have some limits. It's something we're going to need to keep in mind.”
Owen agreed, adding the toughest times for the city may be ahead.
“If we don't see an increase this year, then we will next year,” Owen said.
Fivas said it also was possible the state would cut the budget drastically within the next year, but anticipated not many programs in the city would be cut.
n The City Council agreed to schedule an early time for the Dec. 15 meeting. The council will begin the meeting at 7 p.m. to discuss the annual audit.
n Public Safety Director Mike Compeau said there was only one minor accident within the city during the snowstorm Monday.
“Our guys did a great job of getting those streets clear,” Compeau said. “That's probably why we didn't see much in the way of accidents on the roads.”
n Councilman Gary Martenis asked residents to attend meetings to provide input on the Owosso Walk of History.
- Contact Nathan Bruttell at 725-5136 extension 231 or nbruttellarguspress@gmail.com. Post comments about this story online at www.argus-press.com.