The South Range Village Council discussed a variety of issues at its meeting Thursday. Among the items discussed was a vacant trustee position on the council. Residents interested in the position should deliver a letter of interest to the Village Clerk’s office by Feb. 6. (Ben Garbacz/Daily Mining Gazette)

SOUTH RANGE — The South Range Village Council held its monthly regular meeting Thursday to go over drainage issues in the village, the need for updated animal ordinances and the need of a part-time assistant office clerk and a vacant trustee position on the Council.

The council discussed its approach to a drainage issue in the village revolving around a drainage ditch. One culvert is in place though another will be removed. There are concerns with continuous flow bringing the sediment such as sand from snowmelt and creating build up, which can cause trouble for the water’s flow. Once the council goes over its budget meeting it will have a better understanding as how to cover expenses for fixing the drainage problems.

Village President George Eakin has also reached out to the city of Hancock and Lake Linden to study their animal ordinances.

The council is using these ordinances as examples of how to update their current rules to more efficiently address problems that residents of South Range are having with their neighbors’ animals and their numbers.

“Some of the highlighted items I pulled from it that we can possibly use [is] allowing four chickens per property and six rabbits,” Eakin said.

Another detail of interest to the council was Hancock’s ruling on chickens, which prohibits roosters. The village is looking to update the ordinance in order to address residents’ complaints about roaming chickens with a rooster being the most bothersome and reported. Eakin also showed interest in requiring fencing for the chickens in Hancock’s ordinance.

The animal problems do not just revolve around poultry with residents attending the meeting and complaining about dogs roaming the neighborhood and relieving themselves on business and residential property. While ordinances addressing dogs are already in place, the council is looking to consider enhancing its language to reaffirm its stance on dog ownership responsibility.

The council will look further into this issue with council trustee Therese Parolini showing interest in the animal population.

“I think we do need to put a limitation on the amount of pets,” she said.

The South Range Fire Department reported that the council should begin looking for ways to replace an 18 year old fire truck before its age becomes a problem for the department.

South Range is in need of a part-time village clerk assistant. The position will offer an $18-$22 an hour wage for a 20 hour work week with up to 10 overtime hours with approval of the council. The village is also still in need of a Trustee council member, and residents of South Range who are interested in filling the position should turn in their letters of interest to the Village Clerk’s office by Feb. 6 at 5 p.m.