5/17/13 - The Brighton City Council Thursday night decided to approach the Downtown Development Authority to ask for the funds to have the sediment at the bottom of the Mill Pond tested. The city is looking into the possibility of dredging the scenic Mill Pond, which is a popular attraction in the downtown area. It was reported the pond is becoming choked with sediment, dead weeds and other decayed organic material that has accumulated over the years. The city has dealt with the problem in the past by conducting regular, seasonal weed and algae removal procedures. However, Council Member Claudia Roblee says the pond is becoming choked and the city needs to be, in her words, âgood stewardsâ of the water. Corrigan Oil Co. has offered to dispose of the accumulated sediment at no cost, if the state Department of Environmental Quality doesnât require the city to have it disposed of in a landfill licensed to handle such materials. City Manager Dana Foster says the offer of the in-kind service would save the city $300,000. Potentially, it could cut the cost of the dredging nearly in half, from an estimated $700,000 to $400,000. Foster tells WHMI the sediment testing procedure will enable the city to ascertain the size and scope of a dredging project. When the results of the analysis are in, Foster says the City Council will be able to determine whether it is advisable to proceed with dredging or to take the far less expensive route of weed and algae control. The city has $6,000 left in its weed control budget for the remainder of this year and $10,000 in the budget for the next fiscal year, which starts July 1. It was also brought out that in addition to dredging, the bank of the pond needs to be stabilized and the spillway needs to be rebuilt. City Engineer Gary Markstrom of Tetra Tech told council the samples would be taken to a laboratory for analysis to test for metals and hydrocarbons. It was pointed out that since the Mill Pond is not a navigable waterway, the project is not eligible for grant money. (TT)
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