CALUMET - Whether or not the Village of Calumet is selling too much village property to the Keweenaw National Historical Park was an issue of concern by a resident who spoke at the regular meeting of the village council Tuesday.
Peggy Germain, who is vice president of the Friends of the Italian Hall Park, said she was concerned the council has been in discussions about selling a piece of land next to the KNHP-owned Union Building and selling the Italian Hall Park to the KNHP.
Germain said she's concerned the sales may be a step in shifting from the concept of private property ownership in the park.
"The park is predicated on working with private property owners," she said.
Germain said she wonders about the relationship between the KNHP and the village if the sale of the Italian Hall Park is completed.
The site of the Italian Hall Park, which stands where the original building was on Seventh Street, was given to the village by the property owner for the village to keep and maintain.
Village President Tony Bausano said no decision on the sale of the park has been made yet, and talks with park officials are continuing.
Bausano said KNHP Superintendent Jim Corless wants to talk to all interested parties about the Italian Hall Park, including the Friends of the Italian Hall Park, which owns the two lots on either side of the park.
Before the sale of the Italian Hall Park would take place, Bausano said three appraisals would have to be done
The Calumet Village Council is still waiting to get those.
There are many details to be worked out before a sale of the Italian Hall Park could be done, Bausano said, and he thanked Germain for expressing her concerns.
"You've brought up many important points," he said.
However, Bausano said KNHP officials have no say in how the village is run, but rather the park is an interested party for some issues.
On another issue, village Police Chief Dave Outinen said he expects to take possession of the police department's new vehicle in April, and he wanted authorization from the council to sell the old vehicle for $2,110, which was the high bid received. Council approved the sale unanimously.
Kurt Hauglie can be reached at khauglie@mininggazette.com.