Rail-trail resurfacing project in the works

The refurbishment of 70 miles of rail-trail from Cheboygan to Alpena, which skirts the City of Onaway and could bring added economic benefits and improved recreational opportunities, was discussed at Monday?s meeting of the Onaway City Commission. City manager Joe Hefele has been active in the planning process of the project for several years and attended a meeting April 1 with Northern Lower Peninsula Trailways coordinator Emily Meyerson and Jim Conboy of Citizens National Bank to discuss a possible DNR grant application to surface the Cheboygan to Alpena trail.

The anticipated budget of the project is about $3.2 million. It would include six inches of compacted crushed limestone the entire 70-mile stretch, 10 feet wide with two-foot shoulders.

The project would be funded through federal dollars distributed by the Michigan Department of Transportation, Department of Natural Resources funding and a local five percent match from all the entities along the trial, including the city.

?THEY LOOKED at all the assets along the trail and what needs to be done to this trail to get year around use,? said Hefele, in providing some background on the project. ?The number one recommendation in that plan is it needs a better surface.? Hefele helped present the plan in Lansing.

?Asphalt is massively expensive, and it isn?t good for snowmobiles,? said Hefele. ?It is nice for biking, hiking and horseback riding. The trail would continue to be used by snowmobiles in the winter, but would be much, much better for non-motorized uses during the spring, summer and fall.?

Hefele, Meyerson and Conboy will be visiting 21 governmental entities with trail frontage to explain the project and seek their support. The trail crosses through three counties, two cities (Onaway and Cheboygan), the villages of Millersburg and Posen, along with 14 townships.

Hefele said the sooner the city knows how many entities pledge support the sooner it could be built into the budget, so it doesn?t come with one financial hit. ?I see this as great for both residents and visitors to our area,? said Hefele. ?I also see it as something that those who may choose to retire into our area might take into account when making their decisions.?

IN OTHER business:

? Commissioner Mel Perkins, who commended the Onaway Fire Department for the job they did in burning the structure along North Elm Street, wants to know if the city could accept offers for additional controlled burns. ?We have other houses in town we would like to see gone, they would like to see gone,? said Perkins. ?It is an easy way to get rid of eyesores, plus it helps the fire department train our people. It is a win-win situation.? Fire chief Eric Rose was not at the meeting to answer questions.

? A motion was approved to schedule a public hearing at the next meeting April 21 to consider a special use permit for Alysha Higgins, who would like to operate a daycare at the residence she rents at 3571 North Lynn Street. The hearing was approved on a 4-1 vote. More details of the proposal will be discussed at the hearing.

? Treatment plant operator John Palmer provided a report after attending a lagoon seminar hosted by the Michigan Wate

r Environmental Association in February. The commission also approved a motion for Palmer to attend the first annual Northern Michigan Wastewater Operators seminar in Gaylord. The cost to attend is $85. In addition, the board will allow DPW staff to attend the annual spring regional water meeting in Gaylord, which will be hosted by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and American Water Works Association.

? Businesswoman Kerry Rogers? request to establish a parks and recreation committee for the purpose of updating the parks and recreation plan, which was last updated in 1994, was granted.

? Commissioner Jerry Robinson was reappointed to the fire board. Mel Perkins had served the city in his place, since Robinson would not be in town to attend the fire board meetings for the first three months of the year.

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