The Croswell City Council met this past Tuesday for their second meeting of the new year, hearing from one local resident.
Leah Merrill kicked off the evening with public safety concerns about a possible hydrogen sulfide leak.
“On December 22nd, when going outside, the smell of gas or rotten eggs was overwhelming. I immediately contacted SEMCO and they found no immediate evidence of any significant leak . . . I was told the sugar factory was having a persistent problem with a pipeline.”
Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless gas that can produce a distinct “rotten egg” odor. Even in low concentrations, the gas is generally considered both toxic and flammable. Merrill further emphasized her concerns on the matter, asking for the council to provide citizens with level readings.
“I’m not asking about how much I’ve been exposed [to] but for how long. I would like to know the levels of gas and those readings since July.”
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, in lieu of recent weather developments, the board made a motion to approve the purchase of two used trucks. The two vehicles currently owned by the city are used for both snow removal and salting; however, one is in a state of disrepair with the other being deemed unsuitable for wintery conditions. The total cost of the combined vehicles is expected to be $36,650. Some questions were raised by fellow council members on repair costs in light of Croswell’s recent budget constraints.
“Where is this money coming from?” Council member Sal Hernandez asked.
“It would be funded through equipment rental if we had to purchase them outright,” City Administrator Dave Tait responded, “but we’re counting on the cost of the sale [of our trucks] to cover them.”
The next city council meeting is scheduled for February 5, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.
