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EDWARDSBURG — The Edwardsburg Village Council met for their final meeting of the year on Monday.

Continued progress was reported on the iron filtration plant, with walls constructed and the roof expected to be completed in the next week, depending on weather. $3,775 was approved for the replacement of rusting galvanized pipes with rated PVC piping. This change will allow staff to maintain the use of an existing pump and, once trained, clean and maintain the system themselves. Installations related to the piping are already ongoing, making the timing for the pipe replacement ideal.

Staff presented an alternative solution to previously discussed options for fixing a water tower communication problem. Though $13,000 in funds had been approved to commission a study into the issue, the new internet-based solution may remedy the trouble at a lower cost. Trustee Sam Garwood inquired about backup systems in the case that internet service was not functioning. Multiple trustees also questioned how much the actual internet service would cost once antennas and other equipment were installed. Village staff and contractors are currently working on quotes for a dedicated hardline connection and for the monthly internet service. The council chose to wait to make a decision until that information was available.

The council awarded village employees with an end of year holiday bonus, amounting to an extra $200 for full time staff and $100 for part time staff.

Multiple previously approved maintenance items were reported as complete, including cracks filled in the cemetery roads and repairs to the village garage. It was also reported that village staff had collected 600 cubic yards of leaves this year. Road repairs were minimal this year, indicating village thoroughfares were in good shape as the year nears the end. Six plots in the cemetery were recently sold back to the village, after going unused since their purchase in 1960. The Cemetery Board expected to be able to resell the plots for a profit.

Village offices will be closed for the holidays on Dec. 25, Dec. 26, Jan. 1, and Jan. 2. The next Village Council Meeting will take place on Monday, Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Edwardsburg Village Hall.