Manchester Township Board August 21 meeting report
Manchester Township Hall
by Sybil Kolon
All board members were present at the August 16 township board meeting. Also present were Fire Chief Bill Scully, zoning administrator Carl Macomber, and other members of the public.
Fire Chief Scully provided the monthly report for July. There were 52 calls for service, including 34 EMS responses, three fires, and one HAZMAT incident. Scully recommended the appointment of Michael Kouba to Assistant Fire Chief and the board voted unanimously to accept the recommendation.
Zoning administrator Carl Macomber reported issuing zoning permits for one new residence, three barns/garages, three pools, and one deck.
Trustee John Seefeld reviewed the planning commission meeting minutes of August 4.
Supervisor Ron Milkey provided updates. The Washtenaw County Road Commission has started upgrades to the gravel portion of Herman Road. The Washtenaw County Sheriff and Michigan State Police issued five speeding tickets on West Austin Road in the past week, with the highest speed recorded of 76 mph. New signs have been put up to direct traffic to the recycling bins that are now behind the township hall.
Treasurer Kim Thompson recommended the township purchase cyber insurance. The board voted to obtain $1 million of cyber insurance for $1,400 per year to secure township records.
Thompson reported on the results of the survey that had been on the township website. There were 177 responses. Most respondents live in the township. Over 90% of respondents want to preserve agricultural land and natural features such as wetlands and forests. 80 to 89% of respondents support installation of pedestrian and bicycle paths and to provide additional public parks and recreational areas. There is also wide support for improving fire and police response times and stronger enforcement of zoning. More detailed results will be posted on the township website (https://twp-manchester.org/).
The board discussed the quote received for security cameras to monitor the recycling bins and possibly other locations around the township hall. It was agreed that more information needs to be gathered and the item was tabled until next month. The board did approve the purchase of four new computers to replace the ones from 2013. There will be a work session to discuss the use of the American Rescue Plan Act funds received by the township before the regular board meeting on September 13.
The board voted to contract with Carl Werner to update the township’s general law ordinances and zoning ordinance to make information more easily available. Werner has relevant experience with our ordinances and is excited to work on the project. Milkey and Werner will meet with John Enos, the township’s planner, to help guide the process.
Milkey recommended the township board begin work on updating the township’s solar, wind, and mining ordinances while the one-year moratorium for each is in place. A few board members will begin the review of each ordinance.
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