To discover if any type of building project is possible on two lots of municipal property on M- 123 in Moran, the Brevort Township Board of Trustees voted to pay $200 to have a professional sketch made of its land along the highway. When completed, the sketch will be presented to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), said Township Supervisor Ed Serwach.

The decision was made at the Tuesday, February 5, township meeting. The sketch will be made by Brian Olsen of R.S. Scott and Associates in St. Ignace.

The board has considered locating a new fire hall on M-123, but MDOT's right of way extends 75 feet from the center of the highway onto the township's lots, making building there illegal without permission, Mr. Serwach said.

Noting that quick access to M- 123 would be good for firemen, Township Treasurer Dan Litzner said he considers the site a good location for a new fire hall.

There are no plans for a fire hall on M-123, Mr. Serwach emphasized, however, the township is in need of one, and "we want to know which of our proper- ties would be the cheapest to build on," he said.

The township also owns a sizable lot on Church Street across from the community center, and a large plot of land on Brevort Lake Road. The Church Street property is low and may require fill dirt, and there is no storm drain at the Brevort Lake Road property. The M-123 site is higher and has a storm drain, possibly making it the cheapest site, Mr. Serwach said.

"If we put something in that area, it would further improve the village of Moran, aesthetically," Mr. Serwach told The St. Ignace News.

Ron Rushton, permit agent for MDOT's transportation service center in Newberry, visited Moran and examined the property in January, discovering that the post office and hardware store are inside MDOT's right of way. Mr. Rushton was impressed with the development of Moran's buildings, including the remodeling of structures now housing the Rock Bottom Tavern and King's Fish Market, Mr. Serwach said, which may weigh in the township's favor in the matter.

"Because of the good condition and excellent care that have been give to [Moran's] buildings, MDOT would very seriously consider abandoning its right of way," Mr. Serwach said.

"Regardless of what is ever going to be done with those lots, or any exploration that we would make, I would like to pursue this with MDOT," he said at the meeting.

Mackinac County Road Commission's proposal to chip and seal Black Point Road was disappointing to some township residents and road committee members, Mr. Serwach said, who believe the paving method would not hold up to traffic long enough to be worth the expense. For $100,000, the Road Commission would re-pave 1.25 miles of the road with chip-and-seal surfacing. For the same amount, it would provide 0.6 miles of asphalt pavement.

Trustee Vern Erskine expressed concern that the state may require permits to shoot fireworks over Brevort Lake during at the Brevort Lake Ice Fishing Jamboree Saturday, February 16, and Sunday, February 17. After consulting with several townships that provide fireworks displays, the board learned that it is legally allowed to do so without a permit.

Freedom Fireworks Company is in charge of the fireworks display. To clear the way for the display, the company must send a letter to Municipal Underwriters of Michigan, the township's insurance company. The letter must hold the township harmless if an accident occurs, Mr. Serwach said.