Volume 1, Issue 2 JUNE 9, 2023
Construction has been ongoing along Sessions Road in the Village of Shelby as part of its large-scale civil works project • Amanda Dodge/Echo
Shelby breaks ground for summer construction By Nathan Kroon The Oceana Echo Volunteer Correspondent
Downtown Hart was buzzing with excitement Friday, June 2 as the Tin Man made his debut by Hart Lake. A few days later the much anticipated Main Street Market shops were installed. “It is so exciting to see this project come together after a year of fundraising, grant writing, community input, and coordination. We are already seeing the “huge” impact the tin man and new market are having downtown. My appreciation goes out to everyone who help to bring this idea to life,” H.E.A.R.T.Community & Economic Development Director Nichole (Steel) Kleiner. • Contributed
PERMIT NO 62
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The Hart girls and boys track and field teams had plenty to celebrate Saturday as the girls took home their second consecutive Division III State Title, and the boys earned third place. • Brendan Samuels/Echo
Emma Woller was crowned the 2023 Asparagus Queen at the West Michigan Research Station in Hart. Chelsi Walicki earned first runner up for the second year in a row. Mackenzie Leedham was second runner-up • Amanda Dodge/Echo
Hallack Contracting uncovered the water distribution system in portions of Shelby Village this week. The project is a proactive one and not a response to any known issue. Village Administrator Brady Selner volunteered answers to reassure residents. “The work is preliminary in nature and our water system is and continues to be a safe supply. In 2018, Michigan passed a law which stated that over the course of 20 years communities need to replace service lines, [including] galvanized service lines that were previously connected to lead service lines.” This Lead and Copper Rule required the village to inventory its water distribution system. Although no lead was identified, the presence of 260 galvanized lines subjected Shelby to the new law. Selner, together with consulting engineering firm Fleis and Vandenbrink, applied in 2021 to the Michigan Department of Environment Great Lakes and Energy and was awarded $2.07 million. $621,000 was granted directly. The balance is described as a State loan guaranteed to be forgiven. The village must match funds, boosting this project to $4.4 million. All 425 lines installed before 1980 will be replaced, totaling 11,500 feet of water main. Selner, who has administrated for Shelby over the past two years, maintained his clarity. “This effort is preventative. We have safe potable water that is consistently tested on a weekly and monthly basis to ensure there is no danger.” Selner offers to keep the public informed in this major undertaking. “Hallack started on Sessions Road, Hawley and Rankin Streets, and just started a second crew on Second Street. On top of the mains project, several roads will be getting a mill-and-fill. We intentionally coordinate water work with road replacement. Much, if not all, of the work should be completed by late fall.” To connect water to residences, Hallack will bore horizontally under properties. Contractors must coordinate with homeowners to make the final connections. Affected residents were mailed a contact information form, but sadly, only 25 percent of homes responded. Uncertain residents are invited to call the village office at 218 N. Michigan Ave., where forms can be reprinted. One resident whose information is certainly on file is Village President Paul Inglis, who said he was pleased by the excellent quality of the extensive excavation running through his otherwise immaculate front yard. “Hallack has done a great job on the work they have completed so far. I’m happy to see the work is finally being done to protect the public safety and utilize the funds.”