Fire Department making administrative changes, Township Board discusses road issues

Manchester Township Hall

submitted by Sybil Kolon

All board members were present at the April 8 board meeting except Mike Fusilier. Also present were fire chief Bill Scully and a few members of the public.

The special meeting minutes from March 19 were approved. The only business conducted at that meeting was to approve the use of American Rescue Plan funds for lighting of the parking lot across Macomb Street from the township hall.

Scully provided the monthly report for March. There were 52 calls for service, including 22 EMS responses, eight fires, and six HAZMAT incidents. The issues with the new fire truck have been resolved. The board approved the purchase of two gas monitors to replace two that need replacement. The board approved promotion of Jeff Mann from Lieutenant to Captain to replace Bill Kerns who no longer wants to serve as Captain. The board also approved the recommendation to appoint Shane Goodell to Lieutenant. Scully had previously announced his resignation as fire chief after 40 years with the fire department. The board approved his resignation, effective April 30. The board approved the appointment of Mike Kouba as Fire Chief, effective May 1. There was an open house appreciation for Scully at the fire hall from 1 to 3 pm on Sunday, April 13.

Supervisor Ron Milkey reported that zoning administrator Carl Macomber had issued zoning permits for one new residence and two garages/pole barns. Three zoning violations related to blight issues were issued. Two variances have been applied for and will be considered by the zoning board of appeals.

Milkey reported that he has begun meeting with county and state police to address concerns expressed at the last meeting about lack of any nearby coverage during early hours of the morning. Milkey mentioned the need for maintenance of the trail on the south side of Austin Road west of the City of Manchester. This need will be addressed as the board prepares its budget for the fiscal year starting on July 1.

Roark Freeman with the Washtenaw County Road Commission (WCRC) was present with two others from WCRC to address township road issues. A new culvert will be installed on Wolff Road this summer. The recent heavy rain caused several erosion problems that are being addressed. Manchester Township has 46 miles of gravel roads, second only to Sharon Township in Washtenaw County. We also have many hills, which make maintenance more challenging. Residents can report road issues on the WCRC Fix It webpage, which can be found by searching that term in your browser.

The board discussed the Land Preservation Report with Sybil Kolon, who had chaired the committee that created it. Due to the pending public hearing on a new master plan and other pressing issues, it was determined that any meetings to address land preservation would likely need to wait until July. The board did agree to establish a permanent land preservation committee to work on organizing future meetings on the topic.

The board went into closed session to discuss confidential communication from the township attorney regarding pending litigation with the City of Manchester regarding division of assets after the village became a city. Mediation to resolve the issue has been scheduled for May.

After the closed session the board authorized Milkey, Clerk Danell Proctor, and Treasurer Kim Thompson with specified settlement authority on that issue.

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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.