By NORMA LERNER
Niles Daily Star

Modineer Co. in Howard Township is expanding its technology, and received a tax break Tuesday night when the township board approved an Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption Certificate for the metal, welding and assembly plant located at 1313 Airport Rd.

The 50 percent tax break for 12 years will aid the company in its expansion with the purchase of a $700,000 new Mazak machine that cuts metal with a laser beam. The company will be able to hire 21 permanent workers with the tax break. It currently has 146 employees.

The board held a public hearing prior to voting on the tax break with Supervisor Ronald Fazi saying, “This will add new jobs within the township.”

The board also heard from Cass County Road Commission Manager Louis Csokasy who said it’s been a “tough winter.” He said the employees have worked hard in clearing 27 routes. He said with the temperature staying at 30 degrees, it freezes up at night.

He noted of 1,600 tons of salt ordered this year, 500 tons have been used so far. It is mixed with sand, and about 4,000 tons of sand has been used. Crews are out patching potholes and cutting brush and trees while the roads are clear at this time, Csokasy said.

Residents who have lost a mailbox from snowplowing are to call the road commission at (269) 445-8661 to get a free new box and stand worth $30.

Csokasy told the board that the road commission just finished up a three-year road plan for the township to consider. The plan is to initiate direction on the roads.

The board thanked the partial donation from the Stop-In Restaurant on Barron Lake Road toward the new $4,500 sign at the fire department and for its installation by Gordon Engineering on Detroit Road.