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EDWARDSBURG — The Edwardsburg Village Council received a long-awaited announcement at their regular monthly meeting on Monday, informing them that the new iron filtration plant was online as of 10am that morning.

The mood among all present was jovial and celebratory. The three-year journey to bring cleaner water to the residents of the village reached the milestone after a variety of challenges and delays due to supply chain problems, COVID-19, and regulatory delays.

According to the Department of Public Works, the system is “working very well.” Residents should expect lingering iron for at least six months, as it will take time to clean up all lines in the system now that the plant is operational. The council was presented with five bottles, each displaying water from a phase in the clean-up process and the byproducts from the cleaning of the water tower. There will be crews in Edwardsburg working on decommissioning the old filter plant, working on emptying the old tower and removing test site pipes from properties around the village.

Village President Dennis Peak expressed his gratitude to village staff and Frank Williams, representing Peerless Midwest, for their dedication to the project. 

A representative from the Edwardsburg Boy Scout Troop 593 spoke to the council, expressing the desire for a group within the troop to once again host a Memorial Day Festival at Gunn Park in 2025. The event this year used the park and pavilion and included features such as vendors and a bounce house. Though no official action was taken, the council expressed support and gratitude for the event and made a variety of suggestions, including increased promotion.

Other members of the public spoke about a variety of subjects, including a suggestion to form a committee and plan for a community center in what will become the former location of the Edwardsburg Branch of the Cass District Library. A new location for the library is currently under construction. The council also received praise for the upgrades to Gunn Park and a request for additional signage to separate the private property adjacent to the park.

With increased park activity, the village is considering keeping the portable toilet available year-round. Village staff would have to lay gravel and maintain snow removal in the area to assure proper access for emptying the unit.

Trustee Bidwell noted reports of poor conditions of Gateway Drive and suggested prioritizing it for paving in the spring.

The Library Board announced that the library will be selling t-shirts and etched-glass ornaments as part of a winter fundraiser. They are also still in need of a new board member.

The Ambulance Board is also in need of a new member.

The Parks Board is seeking volunteers and fundraising ideas for a reinstated park’s committee. They will begin meeting on the first Wednesday of each month in November. Meetings will start at 6:30pm at the village hall.

It was announced that, though few leaves had fallen, the scheduled leaf-pick up time has officially begun in the village. Residents are reminded to rake leaves into long narrow piles that do not go into the street or block fire hydrants or cover water boxes. They are also reminded to remove and brush or debris from the piles.

Official Trick-or-Treating hours in Edwardsburg will take place from 6 to 7:30pm on Thursday, October 31st. The Village office will be closed on Monday, November 11th for Veterans Day. The next village council meeting will take place on Monday, November 18th at 7pm at the village hall.