Manchester Township updates on trail, parking lot, senior millage funds, and more!
Manchester Township Hall
by Sybil Kolon
All board members were present at the May 13 board meeting except Lisa Moutinho. Also present were fire chief Mike Kouba and a few members of the public.
Kouba, reporting for the first time as fire chief after the retirement of Bill Scully, provided the monthly report for April. There were 55 calls for service. The revised organization chart for the department includes twenty-three fire fighters in total. Kouba has established three separate platoons to help ensure there are an adequate number of fire fighters on call at any time. The open house for Scully was well attended.
Supervisor Ron Milkey reported that zoning administrator Carl Macomber had issued zoning permits for two new residences and two garages/pole barns. One civil infraction was issued for a residence on Sandborn Road. The person who owns the home on Lakeside Drive, where ongoing blight incidents continue, plans to sell the house and is working on cleaning up the property. Macomber is following up on other blight issues.
Milkey reported that the parking lot lights are being installed. The lights will point downward and minimize lighting outside of the parking lot. The repair of the trail east of Grossman road has been approved. There is also a water issue that the road commission is working to resolve. The renewable energy ordinance has been approved by the planning commission and will be considered at the June board meeting. A meeting was held to discuss how funds from the county-wide senior millage will be distributed. The idea of the county establishing a separate entity to administer the program was not favored by many. Two zoning variance hearings have been scheduled.
The new master plan has been finalized and a public hearing has been scheduled for June 24 at 6:00 pm. The plan is available on the township website.
The board reviewed its fee schedule for various permits and applications. There is a wide variation in what adjoining communities charge. The board voted to appoint Milkey, clerk Danell Proctor and treasurer Kim Thompson to propose a revised fee schedule for the June board meeting.
The board reappointed Dave Thompson, the new chair of the planning commission, to another term on the planning commission and appointed him as chair of the zoning board of appeals. The board appointed George Daubner to another term on the planning commission.
In order to allow funds from the senior millage to serve Manchester Township residents, the board passed a resolution establishing the Manchester Area Senior Citizens Council is its municipal-approved non-profit to provide those services.
Sybil Kolon reminded the board of the need to set a public meeting to discuss the land preservation report now that the public hearing on the master plan has been set. Last month the board agreed to establish a permanent land preservation committee to assist in guiding the land preservation process. Kolon agreed to serve on the committee and suggested a member of the board and planning commission, as well as two other members of the public. Kolon will provide recommendations next month. Interested residents are encouraged to contact the township office. A meeting date will be recommended at the June board meeting.
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