Laurium council hires deputy treasurer, approves bills and routine business

Laurium Village Council approved payment of monthly bills of $36,078.16 and prepaid bills of $89,039.20 and confirmed administrative appointments at its Nov. 19 regular meeting.

Manager Ian Lewis said a new administrative hire, Megan Jackman, started two weeks ago. "Megan has a bachelor’s degree with an accounting background," Lewis said, and the council appointed her Deputy Treasurer so the office has additional back-up. The council also appointed Paige (last name on file as Blain) as Deputy Clerk; both deputies will be authorized signers on village accounts when the Clerk or Treasurer are unavailable.

The council approved the Oct. 15 minutes (five votes in favor; President John Sullivan and Krista Carlson abstained) and adopted the agenda on a motion by Jeff Erickson, seconded by Jennifer Jenich-Laplander. The motion to pay the submitted bills passed unanimously on a motion by Jenich-Laplander and second by Erickson.

Lewis said the auditor recommended adding more checks and balances in financial procedures; the council discussed formalizing that recommendation. Mary Pat Crampton was recorded as sworn in earlier as Village Clerk; other new appointees were sworn in later in the meeting.

The meeting also included routine housekeeping items such as signing bank cards to ensure timely bill payment and the council’s vote to carry forward standard administrative authority. The council scheduled a special meeting Dec. 3 to address several procedural items, including wording related to a possible change from village to city status.

The council adjourned at 7:29 p.m.