Spring Clean Up In Houghton Begins

Spring is here and so is the time for Spring Clean-Up.

Houghton City Manager Eric Waara told the city council at their regular meeting Wednesday that the public works department has been busy cleaning up after the winter season.

Waara said a cleanup at Kestner Park is also being done in preparation for the upcoming Bridgefest in June.

April 14 to May 29 has been designated as the dates for pickup of residents’ trash.

The city will accept smaller items between April 10 and November 1.

The city has planned a hosing down of Shelden Avenue after the MTU Senior Walk on April 17.

Police Chief John Donnelly said tentative plans for a homeless shelter are ongoing.

The City of Marquette, which already has a shelter, is being consulted on the matter.

Donnelly also spoke about an old hockey stick that had been donated to the city.

Donnelly said the stick has a date of 1902 on it, and has been signed by some notable local hockey figures, including John “Doc” Gibson.

In other business…the council agreed to donate up to $20,000 for building of a skate park in east Houghton.

There are matching state funds available for the project.

The council also approved a resolution that will give Houghton more leverage dealing with zoning in the city.

Mayor Robert Backon commended the city’s planning commission for their work in putting together the resolution.

A joint meeting of the Houghton and Hancock city councils is scheduled for May 16.