Manchester Township Board Meeting: digitizing old township records, gravel road improvements, and a funding request from WAVE
Manchester Township Hall
by Sybil Kolon
All board members were present at a special meeting on June 13 to discuss the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds the township received, approximately $270,000. The board reviewed possible funding of several items that had been considered at the previous special meeting in February. Decisions on several items were tabled due to more information being needed, including a new fence and gate at Reynold’s Cemetery, River Raisin cleanup, a new heating and cooling system, upgrading the parking lot across the street and an audio-video system for the board room. The board did approve $500 for supplies to assist in scanning of old township records and they approved $60,000 to be transferred into the budget for road maintenance.
The regular board meeting was held after the special meeting with all board members present. Also present was fire chief Bill Scully and a few other members of the public.
Marie Gress, interim director of the Western-Washtenaw Area Value Express (WAVE), presented information to the board about their program. WAVE provides free transportation to Manchester residents and other areas of Western Washtenaw County. Their busses are all ADA compliant for those with limited mobility, but the service is available to all residents of the areas served. Residents are picked up at their home on a pre-arranged schedule. This program was originally funded by the Chelsea Hospital, which has decreased its funding of this service. In 2022 a total of 865 rides were provided to Manchester residents. Through May of this year 500 rides have already been provided, indicating a significant increase since this service was first offered. The WAVE is requesting $4,000 to help fund the portion Chelsea Hospital will no longer support. The WAVE gets other funding that helps to subsidize this service.
The board agreed to discuss the request at their budget workshop on June 19 at 7 pm. The public hearing on the budget will be held on June 26 at 7 pm., where the budget for the fiscal year beginning on July 1 will be voted on.
Fire Chief Scully provided the monthly report for May. There were 41 calls for service, including 22 EMS responses, four fires and three HAZMAT incidents.
Supervisor Ron Milkey reviewed the zoning report for May. Permits were issued for one new residence, one remodel, two barns/garages and one deck. The vacant house on Ely Road was removed, resolving a violation on the unsafe house. A barn on Sharon Hollow Road was removed. There is some progress on the blight issue on Lakeview Drive.
Trustee Mike Fusilier provided a summary of the planning commission meeting last week. The planning commission continues to explore land preservation issues. Public hearings have been scheduled on June 29 at 7:30 pm for proposed amendments to the zoning ordinance regarding the use of cargo containers for storage and camping on private property.
Milkey reported that phase I of the Hidden Lake RV Resort is now open. They plan to apply for phase II soon. They plan to add a pickle ball court. The board scheduled a tour of the resort.
Milkey asked Sybil Kolon to provide an update on plans for providing information to residents about land preservation. Kolon informed the board that the planning commission will hold a public meeting in the fall to discuss land preservation options and receive input from residents on what the township can do to help preserve our rural character. The Manchester Mirror has agreed to publish a series of monthly articles on the topic. The surrounding townships will be asked to contribute, as the intention is to bring awareness of land preservation issues and the importance of maintaining our rural character to the entire community. Manchester Township’s website will be updated with information and programs that can help landowners understand the value of our natural and agricultural resources and how to manage them. The first article in the series will be published in early July.
Trustee John Seefeld was appointed to the Manchester Area Joint Planning Commission as a member-at-large, to fill a recent vacancy. The village and township continue to work on updating their joint master plan.
The planning commission had sent an ordinance to the board for adoption regarding Agri-Tourism. Several concerns were brought up. Clarifications will be sought and the proposed ordinance will be discussed next month.
The board discussed the recommendations from the road commission about work needed on local roads. In addition to the $60,000 allocated from the ARPA funds, the board voted to transfer $200,000 from the general fund to the road fund. With other funds available, the board allocated over $400,000 toward five road projects. This is a significant increase from recent years and includes upgrades to: 1) Ayres Road from Wellwood to the county line, 2) Herman Road from Deer Valley Lane toward Sharon Hollow Road, to the east side of planned utility scale solar project, 3) Kirk Road from M-52 to Schleweis Road and 4) Schleweis from Boetger Road to Bowens Road. These upgrades will use limestone to cap the roads instead of 22a gravel, which has been used in the past. The cost of limestone is higher, but the roads hold up longer with limestone.
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