Added on July 26, 2021 Sara Swanson

Commissioner Shannon Beeman discusses Washtenaw County American Rescue Plan options with local residents at Freedom Township Hall on July 22, 2021

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Washtenaw County Commissioner Shannon Beeman met with residents and township officials at Freedom Township Hall Thursday evening

submitted by Carol Westfall, Freedom Township resident

(sent from the Freedom Township Hall because of no internet at her home July 25, 2021)

At least 20 residents and township officials from Freedom, Lodi, Manchester, and Bridgewater Townships turned out last Thursday evening to meet with Washtenaw County Commissioner Shannon Beeman who led a discussion about options and priorities for Washtenaw County’s American Rescue Plan funding. She explained that the purpose of the townhall was to share funding priorities currently being considered by the Commissioners and to get resident input as to what funding priorities might best serve southwest Washtenaw County.

Peter Lindeman, Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners Communications Manager, distributed an outline from the Commissioners’ that highlighted for possible funding consideration:

Connecting Washtenaw County – Broadband infrastructure expansion
Encouraging Generational Success – Childcare access & early childhood education expansion
Addressing Housing Affordability and Homelessness – Rental & home ownership assistance
Supporting a Strong Local Economy – Small business, agricultural, & entrepreneur support
Investing in Our Health and Wellbeing – Mobile medical services, community healthcare workers, public health data analysis, and microgrants for non-profits
Creating a More Sustainable Community – Investment in stormwater, sewage and solar infrastructure; expansion of energy efficiency programs
Practicing Good Government – Investing in County government infrastructure and employees

Commissioner Beeman explained that Washtenaw County will receive about $71.2M from the federal American Rescue Plan plus another approximately $29M from other funds, for a total of $100M over four years to help make positive changes for the county, its residents, and businesses. She added that additional funds are expected to support road and culverts and sewer system upgrades, as well as improvements seen as needed due to climate change impacts. Manchester Township Supervisor Ron Milkey emphasized the importance of the county not requiring townships to contribute their own Rescue Plan funds since those limited funds are already being designated for township projects.

Beeman stated that she felt a high priority for Rescue Plan funding in southwest Washtenaw County would be an improvement to our Broadband infrastructure; that the COVID-19 crisis brought to the forefront a critical lack of Broadband services for area residents. Students, teachers, businesses, and medical care were put at a severe disadvantage due to insufficient Broadband service in our part of the county. “If you look at the map, outside of the urban areas of Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and many of the larger communities like Manchester, Chelsea, and Saline, much of the county has insufficient access to Broadband.” Attendees nodded in agreement.

In attendance were Valisa Bristle, Freedom Township Clerk, and Barb Fuller, Washtenaw County Road Commissioner. Both serve on a Broadband Task Force that has been working diligently to find Broadband solutions and funding options for our area. Broadband for all is their charge. Beeman noted that Broadband service is now critical to everything we do, so everyone should have access to it. Bristle commented that the Freedom Township Board passed a resolution supporting the Washtenaw County Rescue Plan and Broadband investment for Freedom Township. More than 200 letters have already been received from Freedom Township residents documenting the need for high-speed internet and safety measures for the township. Those letters will be shared with the Washtenaw County Commissioners.

Attendees spoke up in agreement and noted that the lack of Broadband is leaving our area of Washtenaw County at a distinct economic, educational, and medical disadvantage. “How can we attract businesses or support home employees when we don’t provide adequate Broadband?” one said. “When classes were on line, students shouldn’t have had to drive to Starbucks or park at the township hall or library parking lots to pick up an internet signal to do their schoolwork,” said another. And yet another: “How can my family conduct Zoom medical appointments with internet that doesn’t work properly?”

Susan Ochs, a member of the Freedom Township Planning Commission, reminded the group of safety concerns in Freedom Township given all the pipelines and a gas compressor station; how Broadband for all residents is critical to the effectiveness of any safety plan the township or county might implement.

Two residents spoke about the frustration of knowing there are already several high-speed fiber optic cable bundles running along Pleasant Lake Road and in other parts of Freedom Township, yet residents can’t access it. They wondered why the County can’t work with AT&T and other providers to negotiate something to get residents cost-effective connections to those safe and secure underground cables for residential Broadband, rather than using Radio Frequency (RF) connections to towers and dishes.

Attendees seemed to agree that the Commissioners’ Rescue Plan identified many worthy funding suggestions but that for our area of the county, the most pressing need for funding is Broadband infrastructure to give our residents a fair and competitive service like the rest of Washtenaw County. Beeman agreed and encouraged residents to provide input and their funding priorities to Commissioners by completing an on-line survey at https://www.washtenaw.org/3427/Washtenaw-Rescue-Plan.

For those who are unable to complete an online survey, input can be given directly to Commissioner Beeman by phone at 734-222-6850. Residents may also make comments at upcoming Board of Commissioners’ meetings like the one scheduled on August 4 at 6:30pm. Meeting details can be found at https://www.wastenaw.org/2874/Board-Meeting-Agendas-Minutes.

Beeman also encouraged attendees to share the survey and contact information with neighbors, family, and friends; so this area of Washtenaw County may be well represented.