City Commission

Three Rivers Mayor Tom Lowry and city commission members have OK’d a plan to offer early retirement to municipal employees who qualify for the option. During Tuesday’s meeting, finance director Cathy Lawson noted that as many as six of the city’s 57 full-time employees would qualify for the early-retirement incentive. If accepted, a recipient would receive a one-time payout of …

  Members of the Three Rivers City Commission earlier this week rejected a plan to act as the municipality’s zoning board of appeals in matters related to so-called Big Box retail developments. Following an informal consensus Tuesday, Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners decided to field such matters. The issue was raised in light of concerns that the city’s ZBA has …

Mayor Tom Lowry and members of the Three Rivers City Commission agreed Tuesday to gather more input from municipal staff and its legal advisor before taking action relevant to an ongoing issue with the Three Rivers Public Library Board. At the conclusion of Tuesday’s commission meeting, Commissioner Daryl Griffith said he remains open to the idea of removing library board …

  Any Three Rivers resident interested in serving on the city commission has through April 13 to submit a citizen-interest form. Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners on Tuesday accepted the resignation of Ken Baker, who stated in his letter of resignation that his ongoing battle against cancer prevents him from remaining on the commission. Forms are available at city hall …

The city of Sturgis has announced its first of three brush pickups is set to begin today. As they have in the past, city workers will start collections at the north end of town and work their way south. During brush collection, no grass clippings, roots, thorn-bearing branches, tree trunks, stumps, or construction materials will be picked up. Limbs, branches …

Three Rivers City Commission member Ken Baker has announced he will be resigning from the position next week. Baker, 70, cited his health as the reason for his impending resignation, which will become official Monday. Baker said he discussed the situation with his family and his doctor, and concluded it would be in his and the city’s best interest that …

Contracts were awarded this week to a trio of lawn-maintenance companies for work on city-owned property in Sturgis. Various jobs where lawn work is required on municipal property were awarded to Custom Lawn Care of White Pigeon, Bronson-based Backyard Creations and Rickett’s Lawn Service of White Pigeon. Bids from each of the three varied from $400 to more than $4,100, …

A well-received component to the annual Three Rivers Water Festival will return in 2012 following a six-year absence. Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners this week approved “Bratfest,” which is to be in operation during the Friday and Saturday of the Water Festival. Rick Daniels, chairman of the Bratfest, told the commission during Tuesday’s meeting that he headed up the attraction …

Members of the Colon Village Council last week agreed to an increase in sewer and water rates. The 3.5 percent hike for the utility services was to go into effect this week. Village officials said the modification was necessary to offset an increase in its costs following a long-negotiated agreement with Colon Township and the Colon Fire and Rescue squad. …

A potential change in the leadership of the Three Rivers Public Library Board could be forthcoming. Mayor Tom Lowry and members of the Three Rivers City Commission on Tuesday discussed the option of removing Sharon Rogers as president of the library board. Commissioners, however, agreed to wait until after the library board stages its monthly meeting Tuesday next week and …