Manchester Township board discusses fire sirens, broadband, and surveying residents

Manchester Township Hall

Submitted by Sybil Kolon, Community Reporter Corps

All board members were present at the October 12 township board meeting. Also present were fire chief Bill Scully and two other members of the public.

Scully provided the monthly report for September. There were 37 calls for service, including four fires and 22 EMS responses. Personnel issues were discussed; additional fire fighters are needed. The board approved submittal of a grant application for battery-powered emergency lighting for use during responses.

Supervisor Ron Milkey had discussed the status of the fire siren with Scully. It has not been working and a quote of $400 was received to repair it. Milkey and Scully had discussed the possibility of selling the fire siren; however, few sirens are in use anymore and there may not be much demand for a used fire siren. There was discussion about the need for it. Scully indicated it isn’t necessary, as new technology is in use to notify fire fighters. Nearby residents tend to oppose reactivating it. The topic will be placed on the November agenda.

Zoning administrator Carl Macomber was not present. Milkey indicated zoning permits for two houses and three pole barns/garages were issued.

Trustee John Seefeld reported on the planning commission meeting last week. A public hearing for an accessory dwelling unit, and temporary placement of a mobile home during construction, was held. The applications were approved. At the regular meeting, there was additional discussion about a proposed ordinance to allow short term rentals only in low density residential and urban residential districts. This will be discussed in more detail at the November meeting.

Milkey mentioned a contact from the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission regarding the boundary between the Leonard Preserve and the Oak Grove Cemetery. The township now manages the cemetery. This was a preliminary discussion and additional information will be needed. No decisions are needed before later next year.

Milkey indicated the WWRA recycling bins near the Manchester Market will likely be moved by the end of the year to township property at the southwest corner of Macomb and Duncan streets. Discussions with WWRA will continue, to confirm adequate access for service by trucks.

Trustee Lisa Moutinho discussed the county’s recent approval of funding that will allow the remaining households in the county to be served by high-speed broadband. The contract is being finalized and this is expected to take a few years to implement.

The board had previously approved formation of a committee to advise the board on appointments to boards and commissions. Moutinho, Jarvis, and Fusilier were appointed to the committee. There also was some discussion of a draft survey for residents to provide input to the board. The survey will be finalized and will be available on the township website, which is expected to be upgraded in the coming weeks.

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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.