City Stuck in A Rut –– Road Repair Needed on Cadotte
By Karen Gould

Ruts forming in the new asphalt on Cadotte Avenue, between Market Street and the French Outpost, may be caused by a shifting base, City Council members were told at their meeting Wednesday, August 3, but repair will be the responsibility of the city, the paving contractor said.

City Engineer Dennis Dombroski reported the matter to Council, because the street had just been repaired this spring and there was a question as to why the rutting was occurring and whether it will get worse.

“Is it done rutting? We hope so,” said Terry Peacock from H & D of Petoskey, whose company did the work.

“This was a band-aid fix. You knew that going in,” said Mr. Peacock. He explained the that the asphalt is only as good as what it covers and suspects the base under the asphalt is shifting.

He explained that all roads experience a rolling load from vehicle traffic, except on Mackinac Island, where horses produce a pounding load. The pounding load is more wearing on the road, he said, and can crack the surface, but since he is not seeing any cracking, he believes the rutting is coming from underneath the asphalt.

He reminded Council that when it ordered the road repair, the city wanted to avoid a major expense, but that is what would be needed to completely eliminate the rutting.

Council took no further action and made no decisions on the rutting issue, other than Mayor Doud thanking Mr. Peacock for the explanation and for coming to the meeting.

Police Chief William Lenaghan reported 21 arrests and 38 tickets were issued during the Chicago and Port Huron yacht races, which were held on back-to-back weekends in mid-July. He said the Island received 256 mutual aid hours from area police departments, which assisted with patrols at no additional cost to the community, other than $1,195 for food for the officers.

Island police logged 521 hours during both race periods, including 140 hours in overtime.

In other business, Council members were update on the new ambulance and were advised papers were signed and it should be on the Island by early November.

Alderman Armin Porter suggested Council amend the sign ordinance to allow businesses to put their name on their doors rather than have it be a part of the current maximum allowance of two signs per business. Mayor Doud agreed the sign ordinance needs to be revised, but postponed further discussion for a future meeting.

Mackinac Island received $15,000 from Coca Cola Bottling Company under an agreement that allows the company to be the official soft drink here. For the time being, the money has been placed in the General Fund. Mayor Doud reported that final placement of the money has not been determined, but a report would be presented at the next meeting.

The city has had the agreement with the soft drink company for several years.

Alderman Frank Bloswick said he believed a tree has overgrown an area near the Beaver Dock on Main Street making it difficult for the fire truck to get through. The Mayor said she would have it checked out.

A temporary motor vehicle permit was denied to RaddcomComm and Dodson Cellular of Whitehouse, Texas, to use a Ford Escape to hold equipment that would do emergency 9-1-1 wireless calibration testing. Council felt the vehicle is not needed and the work can be done using a horse-drawn dray.

Council gave its approval for a request from Pat Pulte of Murray Hotel for the Wheelman’s Association that is coming to the Island August 11 through 14. The group would like to string a rope from the light post on Main Street just west of the Murray Hotel to a hitching post east of the hotel to hang their bikes for display and safety between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. The City had granted the request two years ago. Also, group wants to park their antique high-wheeled bicycles in the courtyard by City Hall, which they had done in the past as well.

Council gave approval for a temporary motor vehicle permit to Belonga Plumbing of St. Ignace that had already taken place owing to an emergency situation. Mayor Doud advised Council there had been an sewer line rapier needed in the Forest Brook area and a backhoe from the Island’s sewage treatment facility was used.

A tool crib removal by dray was granted to Cliff’s Painting, which is moving it off the Island.

Council tabled a decision on reprinting the city’s zoning ordinance until it has a chance to study a quote received. The issue will be brought up again at the next meeting, which is Wednesday, August 17, at 6 p.m. in City Hall.