NORWAY — Smith Construction of Marquette will continue work on Norway’s ongoing lead water line verification project after the city council accepted the company’s bid of $270,276 Wednesday.

The inspections are part of a federal and state mandate requiring all municipalities identify and replace service lines that have the potential to leach lead into household water.

The inspections started with money from a Michigan Drinking Water Asset Management grant and will continue with funds from a Community Technical, Managerial and Financial grant through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.

Neither grant covers replacement of the lines, which the city is responsible for at an estimated cost of $5,000 to $10,000 each. The city is searching for grants for replacement costs.

In other business, the council:

— Approved the annual stream gauging joint funding agreement between the city and the U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey for the monitoring of stream levels as a part of the city’s Federal Energy Regulatory Commission license. The total amount of the program is $31,600, of which the city pays $27,500.

— Authorized the purchase of utility poles requested by the Department of Power and Light for $24,506. Foreman Scott Hegy reported the city has had to replace many poles this winter due to cars hitting them. To get the best value with shipping, Hegy recommended purchasing a truckload of 40,000 pounds, which is 41 poles. The poles will be bought through a joint purchasing program with Wisconsin Public Power Inc.

— Appointed two persons to the planning commission. Gina Zanon was appointed to a term ending December 2026 and Monica McElroy to a term ending December 2025.

— Named Carrie Lenz to the zoning board of appeals for a term ending December 2027.

— Discussed whether to have an alley-like street certified as a part of Maple Street in Michigan’s annual Act 51 mileage certification. Two houses are on that alley and while they are technically not on Maple Street, they have Maple Street addresses. The problem comes as one resident found out during an emergency that crews cannot find the houses because they do not show up on mapping software.

Mayor Candy Brew noted she knows of similar situations in the city, while Council Member Rico Meneghini said in an emergency, one instance like that is too many. The issue will be brought before the council for formal action in the next meeting.