From left, George Eakin, Justin Marier and Jeff Hill discuss potential changes to the upcoming winter's snow policies. Once the write up is completed the official policy will be debated and voted on during the next council meeting. (Ben Garbacz/Daily Mining Gazette)

SOUTH RANGE — Winter preparations are underway in South Range.

The Village of South Range’s DPW reported that their trucks, plows and other equipment are ready for snow removal to the village council during its meeting on Thursday. However, they have hit a snag when it comes to costs.

The sand the village is looking to purchase is likely to cost $2,400, which would be an increase from years prior. 

The upcoming winter will see other changes, including a new snow policy, which would allow for a request to push back snow banks per house during the winter. This is not set in stone at the time of writing, and Trustee Justin Marier has been tasked with creating a write up before any further action is taken.

“I’ll try to write up a little policy for our next meeting, and then we’ll discuss it,” Marier said, “and see where we go from there.”

Trustee Jeff Hill suggested possibly allowing residents one request of snow bank removal for every 100 inches of snow, which would likely allow for two snow removal requests per winter. Marier suggested that could lead to complications, as residents’ requests would add up to a large order made all at once when the 100 inches accumulates.

Further council discussions are planned to address vehicles left parked on the sides of the roads all winter, which causes problems for plow vehicles.

The council also discussed potential future ownership of the ball fields. The council must come up with an offer to bring to the South Range VFW Post so that the post can discuss it in a future meeting.

Marier said the parks and recreation committee should meet and discuss details of a proposition, which would have to come back to the council in a future meeting for approval.

Staying on the topic of the ball fields, flooding was also brought up, and the village is continuing talks with Marcia Goodrich of Wild Ones Keweenaw to work on placing plants in problem ditches to soak up excess water.

The village is also trying to rid itself of a pickup truck, which will be advertised for bids. The council determined the truck’s worth is at least $500.