Budget, Historic Records Highlight Calumet Village Council Meeting

The Calumet Village Council expects to wrap up their budget discussions when the Financial Committee meets Wednesday.

At their regular monthly meeting Tuesday, the council set a public hearing for March 1st to present the budget, with hopes of passing it at a special meeting immediately following it.

The current fiscal year ends on February 29th.

Several motions were tied up during the meeting, which stretched for over three hours.

At question was whether a simply majority of the quorum was required to pass a resolution or if a majority of the full council was needed.

With one member absent and another seat declared vacant following a recent resignation, it was argued that four out of seven votes were still needed to have a majority, even though there were only five council members voting.

After discussing the situation with the village attorney, the council moved forward with the quorum.

Records that have amassed in the basement of the Calumet Village Hall will be loaned to the Keweenaw National Historical Park for cleaning and organizing.

The documents, dating back decades, will then be archived in a way that will allow for easy access to the recorded history of the village.

A petition was presented to the council to block the Keweenaw House, a planned location that is being described as a substance abuse recovery home.

A representative of Keweenaw House was not present at the meeting but several local residents argued against the home being opened in their neighborhood.

The council will have an attorney look at their ordinance to see if the home is allowed or if special permission is needed.

In other business, the council voted to have the Personnel Committee draw up a Job Description for the Village Administrator.

The Calumet Police Department was asked to do a survey of the intersection at 6th and Oak Street.

Residents complained that motorists fail to stop at the stop signs there and are putting pedestrians in danger.

A report is expected at the March meeting.