Wakefield Township hopes for more enterprise soon

Wakefield Township hopes for more enterprise soon By P.J. GLISSON news@yourdailyglobe.com

WAKEFIELD – Wakefield Township might get an economic boost soon if all goes well with negotiations on two acres of land on Planter Road, near N. County Road 519. Township supervisor John Cox told the Globe Wednesday that negotiations are underway to work out a price and related conditions. Once those matters are settled, he said he will share the business’s name, which he said is local. “Then, it’s up to the owner to develop it,” he said. “They approached us,” said Cox of unnamed company officials, but he made it clear he’s pleased about the possibilities. Although he said the proposed operation will be small, he added, “There’re a lot of reasons why this is going to be good for the township.” Regarding other concerns, Cox said members of the Wakefield Township board had a productive monthly meeting Tuesday evening. He said they voted unanimously to opt out of purchasing disaster insurance via the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “We have no flood plains in Wakefield Township,” said the supervisor, who added that FEMA’s insurance is quite expensive. Cox said he and county treasurer Joan Dalman attended an informational session regarding FEMA last year in Wakefield, but decided using the insurance was not the right decision for the county. “We’ve never participated,” said Cox, who added, “Our building inspector (Butch Saari) said there’s no areas where anybody’s in danger.” Finally, Cox said he plans to attend a listening session today with representatives of the state’s 38th senatorial district and its 110th house district. Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Vulcan, and Rep. Greg Markkanen, R-Hancock, will be in Gogebic County to host several sessions with local citizens. “There’s a lot of things we need to get done in this county, and Lansing can help,” said Cox. The board also: –Voted to hire the Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region to process the county’s new master plan at a cost of $15,000. “We’re just waiting for them to drop the contract on that,” said Cox. –Voted to recognize Denise Engel as having retired from her position as library director of the Wakefield Public Library. The county will send her a letter of appreciation and a certificate. Joel Laessig is the new library director. The Wakefield Township board will meet next on March 5 at 5:30 p.m. at the Wakefield Township Building at 414 N. County Road 519. A public hearing on the county budget will be held first, followed by a regular meeting. The public is welcome.