Manchester Township approves Run Manchester route & Night Hawks ride; State approves Oak Grove transfer to Township
Manchester Township Hall
submitted by Sybil Kolon, Community Reporter Corps
The March 16 Manchester Township board meeting was held in person with all board members present. Also present were fire chief Bill Scully, Zoning Administrator Carl Macomber, Village President Pat Vailliencourt, and other members of the public.
Scully provided the fire department’s monthly report. There were 43 calls for service in February, including one fire call in our service area, two outside of our area, and 18 EMS responses. Additionally, 21 burn permits were issued. The department issued a burn ban after a large field fire in Freedom Township on March 12, and other fires that had gotten out of control. Conditions are very dry and burn permits will not be issued until there has been significant rainfall. Scully also reported that firefighters have had their annual physicals.
Macomber reported the approval of a small expansion for the meat market on US-12. A conditional use has been requested for an automotive accessory shop to install after-market parts on trucks and off-road vehicles on Logan Road east of M-52. Supervisor Ron Milkey reported ongoing issues with junk accumulating at an address on Lakeview Drive. The owner has been given until the end of the month to clean it up.
Trustee John Seefeld reported on the planning commission meeting. There is no update on the proposed solar farm. The planning commission is considering an ordinance to allow accessory dwelling units as a conditional use; there will be a public hearing at 7 pm on April 1. Milkey reported there will be two vacancies on the planning commission. One member will not renew their term, which is for three years. Another has resigned. Milkey expressed a preference for a farmer and a small business owner, to ensure those perspectives are considered. Appointments are expected soon and will be voted on at a regular board meeting.
Trustee Lisa Moutihno provided an update on broadband service planned for the Manchester area. Washtenaw County has received a federal grant from the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund to provide broadband service within the next six years. Manchester, Sharon, and Freedom townships will be served by Midwest Energy and Communications with installation of fiber. Bridgewater township will be served by Mercury Wireless. Some isolated properties were not included by these carriers; however, Washtenaw County is committed to providing internet access to these properties. The Village of Manchester was not included in the grant program. Find more information and look up the status of your own address at Washtenaw.org/broadband. You can also request service whether or not your property is included, which will notify the carrier of your interest. Homeowners will not be charged unless they sign up for the service after it becomes available.
Jacob Mann with the Robotics Team of Manchester gave a presentation of a plan for the Run Manchester event on August 7. The race was cancelled last year due to the pandemic. Proposed changes to the race include the location of the starting line and adding longer race routes that will extend into the townships instead of just through the Village. Social distancing measures are also being incorporated in the plan. The Village of Manchester, as well as Bridgewater and Freedom Townships, have already approved the race in their areas. The board voted to approve the portion of the race that passes through Manchester Township.
Dr. Elizabeth Beaudoin, a representative from the Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce, requested annual funding for the holiday lighting that is installed downtown in the village every year. There was general support for the request. The board agreed to take up the request at its budget meeting in June.
The ride schedule for the Huron Valley Night Hawks (HVNH) was approved for five Sundays between April and October. HVNH has had a track on Sharon Hollow Road near US-12 for many decades, and are under an agreement with the township to minimize issues with nearby neighbors.
The board approved an updated Washtenaw Mutual Aid Agreement to allow the Manchester Township Fire Dept. to provide and receive mutual aid from participating entities during emergencies, natural disasters, and other events. This includes service from the county’s Technical Rescue Team. This mutual aid ensures that our community can adequately protect its residents during emergencies.
Clerk Danell Proctor reported that the state has approved the transfer of operation of the Oak Grove Cemetery to the township. The former cemetery board has agreed to participate in the committee to be formed by the township to manage the cemetery. It is anticipated that Mike Miner, the long-time sexton, will become a township employee.
Milkey reported that the state boundary commission has approved the Village of Manchester’s application to become a city. A public hearing has been scheduled for April 28. There are still several steps before the Village could become a city, including a vote by village residents.
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