Midland man takes first job with city’s police force

The newest officer of the Niles Police Department received a warm welcome at Monday’s Niles City Council meeting.

Sean Hanley, 24, of Midland, took the oath of office on his first day of duty. He graduated from police academy May 9.

This is his first law enforcement job.

“It couldn’t have come at a better place,” Hanley said. “It is a small town where everybody knows everybody and I’m very excited about it.”

Hanley will serve as a patrolman.

“We are looking for a lot of great things from officer Hanley,” said Chief Jim Millin.

Also Monday, the council approved two bids concerning the demolition of the former public safety building at the corner of Sycamore and Third streets.

Trust Thermal Systems, of Owosso, will do asbestos remidiation work for $33,500. Richard Brothers, of South Bend, Indiana, will handle the demolition at a cost of $148,710. The Michigan Land Bank will provide a minimum of $150,000 for the cost of the project.

The building has sat empty for approximately 10 years after the city moved its police and fire departments out of the 1939 building and into the Law Enforcement Complex on Silverbrook in 2003.

Also Monday:

• The council approved a request from the city’s utilities department to begin replacing and updating Christmas light decorations to new LED programmable circuitry at a cost of up to $20,000.

• The council approved the emergency repair of Decker Well by Peerless Midwest, of Mishawaka, Indiana, for $29,487. The well pump failed June 13.

• Councilman Tim Skalla praised the Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce for putting on a well run craft beer and wine festival Friday.

“I don’t believe it could have come off much better for a first-time event,” he said.

Mayor Mike McCauslin also commended the chamber for the festival.

• The city’s attorney made a first reading and introduction of a proposed amendment to the city’s zoning ordinance that would allow businesses in the Niles Industrial Park to install signage greater in size than what is currently permissible.

• The council appointed Casey Couch to the planning commission to complete the unexpired term of Emily Sossoman. It ends Dec. 31, 2016.