Village of Lake Linden

Village Voice

Village of Lake Linden Newsletter

Edward R. Fisher, President Phone: (906) 296-9911

Robert A. Poirier, Clerk Fax: (906) 296-1044

Jill DuMonthier, Treasurer E-mail: vll@ lakelinden.net Web: www.lakelinden.net

October 2009

The summer we waited for all year seems to have stretched through most of September. I hope we don’t pay for it by having a long, cold winter instead. The Farmer’s Almanac says this winter will be cool with average precipitation. Wow, that’s really going out on a limb.

Fourth of July Events: This year’s 4^th of July celebration was a huge success. More people than ever crowded the streets for the parade and the park for the fireworks than ever before. Thanks to all the people and businesses who supported the event and thanks again to the Lake Linden Fire Department for putting on a great show throughout the weekend.

Grants for the Village: The Village has been awarded two grants this past spring and summer. We received a $14,000 grant from the USDA towards a new police vehicle. We were able to sell the 2005 Explorer, so the new car essentially cost the Village about $3,000. The 2009 Dodge Nitro is already out on patrol. This past month, the Lake Linden Fire Dept. was awarded a grant for $63,316 from FEMA for new turn-out gear. The Village’s share is just over $3,000. The current gear was 30+ years old and second-hand at that so this will be a welcome and needed shot-in-the-arm. Over the past 7 years the Village has been successful in obtaining $1,830,800 in grant money. That represents about 50% of our general fund budget over that time so we have stretched our dollars to move ahead on many worthwhile projects, update our infrastructure, equipment and facilities, and meet the current demands for operating and maintenance budgets during a very trying economic time.

Fall Clean-up dates: Clean-ups will be held on the following Mondays this fall: October 12^th, October 19^th, October 26^th and November 2^nd. This pick-up is for leaves, brush and branches only. Please rake your leaves out over the curb or place them in biodegradable bags. Limbs and branches should be cut in 4-foot lengths. Note: the brush pile gate will remain locked until further notice because furniture and building materials were dumped there without permission.

New Open Fires Ordinance: The Village Council has passed an ordinance regulating open fires set within the boundaries of the village. Below is a synopsis of that ordinance.

BURNING PROHIBITED

General Prohibition. It is unlawful for any person or persons to burn, or cause to burn, assist in burning, permit, continue or permit continuance of the burning of any combustible material within the Village limits of Lake Linden except as listed herein.

Refuse. It shall be unlawful to burn any refuse outside any building at any time in the Village of Lake Linden.

Garbage. It shall be unlawful to burn garbage inside or outside any building at any time in the Village of Lake Linden.

Yard refuse. No person shall cause or permit open burning of yard waste, including leaves, grass clippings, vegetable or other garden debris, shrubbery or brush or tree clippings or similar materials, to occur upon any privately owned premises or public place.

Papers. It shall be unlawful to deposit or leave any refuse or material in such a place or condition that it would be blown by the wind so as to be scattered; and it shall be unlawful to permit the escape of soot, ashes or other solid materials or refuse so as to be windblown or scattered.

Streets, Alleys, Highways, Curbs or Sidewalks. No material of any kind shall be burned or attempted to be burned in any street, alley, highway, or between any curb and the sidewalk adjacent thereto within the Village of Lake Linden.

Proximity to Structures. No fire under any allowable provision herein shall be set within 20 feet of an existing structure or building within the Village limits under any circumstances.

BURNING USES PERMITTED

Cooking fires. Fires are permitted for the cooking and smoking of food provided that such fires are confined to a barbeque grill, barbeque pit, smokehouse or other enclosure and provided further that the emission of smoke and fumes do not irritate, annoy or constitute a nuisance to others living in the neighborhood.

Recreational fires. Recreational fires on private property are permitted and do not need prior approval when in a pit or pile which does not exceed three (3) feet in diameter provided the following conditions are met: 1) Fires are attended until extinguished and ashes are cold. 2) Only clean wood products or commercially produced fuel products are burned. 3) The fire is not set within 20 feet of a building or structure even on private property. 4) Fire does not threaten trees, shrubs or branches that may ignite. 5) Atmospheric conditions are favorable. 6) Fire is in a pit or receptacle that inhibits spread of fire. 7) Prohibit emission of smoke or fumes which irritate, annoy or constitute a nuisance to others living in the neighborhood.

Bonfires. Public or private bonfires in which the material would exceed three feet in diameter require prior approval of the President of the Village and the Fire Chief of the Lake Linden Fire Department. Such approval is granted with complete discretion by said officers and shall not counteract or overreach warnings and/or bans issues by the Department of Natural Resources.

Outdoor fireplaces. Containers commonly known as chimeneas can be used provided they are properly attended by a person of 18 years or older and are used in a manner consistent with their instructions.

Screened Container burning. The burning of small amounts of wood shall be permitted provided they are burned in a covered, screened container during daylight hours, are constantly attended, and are completely extinguished before dusk.

Nuisance and public disquiet. The Village Police may exhibit discretion in determining the affect to other residents and neighbors of open fires of any kind.

The full text of this ordinance, along with other Village ordinances, can be found on the village web site at www.lakelinden.net.

Business Directory: Another feature of the village web site is an on-line business directory of all local businesses. They are categorized and, where known, linked to their own sites for easy access to all kinds of information. The plan is to expand and improve the directory in the coming months and to that end we need everyone’s help. If you are a business owner, or know of a business that is not included on the directory, or have further information for inclusion, please let us know by emailing us at vll@lakelinden.net or by calling the village office at 296-9911. We hope to provide a one-stop information source for visitors and residents alike.

             5K/10K Event:  The inaugural event held on September 12^th exceeded organizers expectations. Over 150 participants walked, ran, jogged or rode (babies on board) around the Village

Sands and through town on a gorgeous Saturday morning. Organizers would like to thank all sponsors, volunteers, and those who participated and hope to see everyone back again in

2010. Results for the race can be found at www.keweenawtrails.com/events.

            Lake Linden Historic District: The Village Downtown area has been approved for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. Our application was largely based on a

thesis written by Stephanie Atwood about the Historic Downtown. This designation allows residents within the district, which includes Calumet St. (1^st to 8^th), Hecla St. (1^st to 4^th),

Schoolcraft St. (1^st to 3^rd), to obtain tax credits for improvements made to those properties if they are done with an eye towards historic renovation. To see a detailed

history and outline of the district, visit     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Linden_Historic_District.

WATCH YOUR KIDS!:  We have had several reports of kids and teens on motorcycles and 4-wheelers going through town at high speeds. All traffic and registration laws must be followed

by ALL ATV (and snowmobile) riders. In addition, they can only be ridden in town if heading directly to the trails. Fines and tickets can and will be issued if this continues. Parents, please

let your kids know they need to be more responsible when riding in town. The Village Police will be keeping a close eye on this issue.

[Posted on the website of the Village of Lake Linden]