Manchester Township Board: Phase II of the Watkins Lake Trail partially funded, MTFD gets equipment for fighting EV fires
Manchester Township Hall
by Sybil Kolon
All board members were present at the January 14 board meeting. Also present were fire chief Bill Scully and several members of the public.
Two members of the Washtenaw 100 Club, a nonprofit group that provides support for firefighters and law enforcement officers, presented a check to the Fire Department for $5,582 for equipment to assist in fighting electrical vehicle fires. Scully had applied for the grant through the fire department. The equipment includes a blanket that can smother the fire and an electrical vehicle plug to disable an electrical vehicle to allow rescue personnel to safely contact the vehicle to provide emergency response.
Scully provided the monthly report for December. There were 49 calls for service, including 35 EMS responses. There were no fires or HAZMAT incidents. An issue with the new fire truck is in the process of being resolved. The truck is still in service and will be repaired locally.
Supervisor Ron Milkey reported that zoning administrator Carl Macomber had not issued any zoning permits. One variance was requested. Consumers Energy will remove the transformer on Noggles Road and restore the site. The blight issue on Sharon Hollow Road near Wellwood Road is in progress and the house is now for sale.
The board took actions related to the tax board of review that considers appeals to property tax assessments each March after the notice of assessment is sent to all property owners in the township. The board approved a resolution regarding poverty and hardship exemption guidelines. This resolution is updated annually to guide the tax board of review in granting or denying an exemption request during the appeals process. The board appointed Kathy Fusilier as a member and Jack Rathburn as an alternate to the tax board of review for two-year terms.
Milkey reported that the Connecting Communities grant for Phase II of the trail between the city of Manchester and Watkins State Park and County Preserve has been officially approved by the Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission for $366,000. The township is working with the county to identify the additional funds needed before the project can proceed.
Milkey reported that the city and township are in mediation to resolve the division of assets related to the village becoming a city. A mediator has been agreed upon and mediation is expected to begin in the next few months.
The land preservation committee (LPC) had submitted its report to the board last month. Sybil Kolon, chair of the LPC, provided updated information regarding contacts with various partners who may be able to assist in this effort. The LPC recommended the township set a meeting in the spring to inform residents about the report and to get their feedback. A date for that meeting will be set in the future. Kolon reminded the board of the need for mapping services to assist in identifying specific areas in the township for preservation.
A committee is currently working to update the township’s master plan. That effort will utilize similar maps to guide planning efforts. A proposal for such mapping has been received and the board voted to allocate up to $2,000 for mapping of natural resource and agricultural areas in the township that can be utilized for both efforts.
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