Manchester Township discusses future planning, blight, and road conditions

Manchester Township Hall

by Sybil Kolon

All board members were present at the April 11 township board meeting. Also present was fire chief Bill Scully; Georgia Frost from Rep. Debbie Dingell’s office; Shannon Beeman, county commissioner; and several other members of the public.

Georgia Frost is a field representative for U.S. Representative Dingell and came to let the board know that Rep. Dingell wants to understand the needs of the township, and western Washtenaw County, which is now part of her district. The board and public provided input, regarding assistance with roads, senior citizens issues, preservation of farmland and natural areas, and other topics.

County Commissioner Beeman informed the board there is a town hall meeting on diversity, equity, and inclusion planned for May 9 in the evening; the time has not been confirmed. May 9 is the next regularly scheduled Manchester Township board meeting. (The board later voted to change its next meeting date to May 8 at 7pm.)

There was significant public comment about the condition of the gravel roads.

Fire Chief Scully provided the monthly report for March. There were 49 calls for service, including 23 EMS responses and 16 HAZMAT incidents. There were no fires.

Supervisor Ron Milkey provided a brief report on zoning activity. Permits were issued for two houses and one barn/garage.

Trustee Mike Fusilier, the township board’s representative on the planning commission, provided a summary of the last meeting. Fusilier asked the board and public to think about what they want Manchester to look like in the future and provide input to the Manchester Area Joint Planning Commission, which is updating the current plan approved five years ago by the township and village. The planning commission has set a public hearing for two ordinances, one that would update camping and another on the use of cargo containers for storage. Both meetings will be held on May 4 at 7pm.

Milkey provided an update on the status of blight at three properties. Additional citations will be issued regarding the condition of property on Lakeview Drive, which will result in additional fines if it is not cleaned up. The owner of the vacant, deteriorating house on West Austin Road has been given two weeks to provide a plan. A vacant, deteriorating house on Ely Road was supposed to be demolished after a new house was built and the township is taking steps to ensure it is taken care of.

There will be a meeting with the county road commission on April 27 regarding work on roads this year. The township plans to allocate $60,000 of the American Rescue Plan funds for road improvements. It was agreed that Kirk Road is one of the worst and a rebuild of that road should be done.

Moratoriums remain in place on solar, wind, and mining projects. The board has made revisions and is awaiting the review of the township attorney.

For as little as $1 a month, you can keep Manchester-focused news coverage alive.

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.