Manchester Township to apply for $220,000 from American Rescue Plan

Manchester Township Hall

submitted by Sybil Kolon

All board members were present at the July 13 township board meeting except Clerk Danell Proctor. Also present were fire chief Bill Scully and a few other members of the public.

Scully provided the monthly report for June. There were 40 calls for service, including two fires and 23 EMS responses. Scully and two others from the fire department visited the facility where the new fire truck will be built. Some fine tuning of the features have been made. The board approved an increase of $11,000 to accommodate the valves being mounted out of the weather. The total cost will still come in below the initial bid, since the township avoided interest payments

Zoning administrator Carl Macomber was not present. The Zoning report shows four permits were issued; two for homes and two for solar installations. Several ongoing issues around Iron Lake were resolved.

Supervisor Ron Milkey again brought up speeding along west Austin Road. Washtenaw County is not able to provide speed control signs because the township has no contract with the sheriff. Milkey will look into the cost of obtaining a speed sign for that stretch of road. The township is working on a new website. There will be a joint meeting with the township board and planning commission at 6 pm on August 17.

The township will apply for $220,000 available through the American Rescue Plan. There are some limitations on how the funds can be used. There was no discussion of how the township might use the funds.

The board approved PA-116 applications for three parcels belonging to three separate members of the Fusilier family. Trustee Michael Fusilier abstained from the vote. This act provides tax relief for farmers who agree to maintain the agricultural uses of the properties for a number of years.

The board had received proposed language from the planning commission to amend the zoning ordinance to allow for accessory dwelling units on parcels that already have a home. The residents must be relatives of the residents in the principal residence. There is a limitation on the size of the unit. The units must meet health and building codes. Members of the board and public expressed support for the ordinance as a way of supporting families during life transitions. The board voted to approve the ordinance.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.