Town Hall Meeting Minutes for Wallsocket, MI
Date: September 12, 2023
Agenda:
Call to order
Roll call
Approval of previous minutes
Old business
New Business – Restoration of Wallsocket’s Iconic Horseshoe Structure.
Open forum
Adjournment
Call to order
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by the town hall moderator.
Roll call
The town hall moderator called the roll and noted the attendees present.
Approval of previous minutes
The previous meeting’s minutes were read by the town hall moderator, and after some discussion, they were approved by the attendees.
Old business
The town hall moderator asked if there was any old business to discuss. There were no items of old business raised.
New Business – Restoration of Wallsocket’s Iconic Horseshoe Structure.
Mayor Bowman opened the floor for discussion regarding the potential restoration of Wallsocket’s iconic Horseshoe structure. He briefly outlined the issue – some residents had noticed rusting on the structure and were divided on whether it should be restored or left as is due to its patina adding character.
Council Member Ramirez: Thank you, Mayor. I’ve received numerous emails and calls from concerned residents. Some argue that the rust gives the tower character and a sense of history. Others are worried that if we don’t address the rust soon, it might lead to structural issues.
Council Member Smith: I’d like to hear from our Public Works Director, Jeffery Carmichael, regarding the extent of the rust and the potential structural concerns.
Jeffery Carmichael: Thank you, Council Member Smith. We conducted a thorough inspection of the tower, and while there is some rust, it appears to be superficial at this point. However, if left unattended, it could potentially lead to more serious structural issues down the road. We recommend addressing it sooner rather than later.
Mayor Bowman: Thank you, Mr. Carmichael. Now, I’d like to open the floor to our residents. Please keep your comments brief and respectful.
Resident 1: I’ve lived in Wallsocket for over 40 years, and that rust is part of our history. It adds character and charm to the tower. I’d hate to see it restored and lose that.
Resident 2: I understand the sentiment, but we can’t ignore potential safety concerns. We should restore the tower while preserving its historic appearance.
Resident 3: I suggest a compromise. Restore the tower, but maybe keep a section of it with the rust as a historical exhibit. That way, we get the best of both worlds.
Resident 4: We should trust our experts. If they say the rust needs attention, we should act on their recommendation. Safety should be our priority.
Deliberation and Decision
After a thorough discussion, Council Member Ramirez proposed a motion:
Motion: We will move forward with the restoration of the Wallsocket Horseshoe, ensuring that the historic appearance is preserved as much as possible.
Council Member Smith: I second the motion.
The motion was put to a vote:
In Favor: All
Opposed: None
Abstained: None
The motion passed unanimously.
Mayor Bowman: The motion has passed. We will proceed with the restoration of the Wallsocket Horseshoe while preserving its historic appearance. Thank you, everyone, for your input and participation.
Meeting adjourned: 8:30 PM
