Manchester Township considers fire equipment, zoning, future of historic church

Manchester Township Hall

by Sybil Kolon

All board members were present at the May 12 board meeting. Also present were fire chief Mike Kouba and planning commissioner Jim Carpenter.

Kouba provided the monthly report for April. There were 42 calls for service and 215 calls to date. Kouba provided quotes for new fire hoses and fire fighter gear. The gear for several firefighters is well past the ten-year recommended life. Kouba will apply for a grant that may retroactively cover the cost of the fire gear. The board approved the purchase of these items for a total of $19,000.

Supervisor Ron Milkey reported that zoning administrator Carl Macomber had issued two addresses and did four inspections. Inspections included one on Lakeview where significant clean up has been done to address ongoing blight. Another inspection involved a camper on Sharon Hollow, where someone is living on the weekends while they clear property for building. Macomber informed the owner of the need to get a permit for an existing shed and that residence in the camper is not allowed. The status of both cases is being monitored. Macomber processed a variance request for a shed that had been built within the required side yard setback. A public hearing has been scheduled for May 28 at 7pm.

Milkey spoke with Laurie Fromhart, supervisor of Bridgewater Township and chair of the Southwest Washtenaw Council of Governments (SWWCOG). Land preservation, emergency preparedness and a police and fire ordinance are common interests of the City of Manchester and four surrounding townships that make up SWWCOG. The next meeting of the group will be June 10, 7pm at the city offices where these issues will continue to be discussed.

Milkey, Fusilier and planning commissioner Jim Carpenter toured the Hidden Lake RV Resort to assess the current status ahead of a public hearing on Phase 3 of the resort this Thursday.

Milkey reported that work is being done on the budget for the year beginning July 2026. The budget workshop will be June 15 at 6pm. The budget Hearing will be June 22 at 7pm.

Milkey had provided information about the Iron Creek Church at English and Sharon Hollow roads, the only historic commercial building in the township. Township attorneys have reviewed our ordinances and suggested four approaches for preserving it, which the board and planning commission have indicated support for preserving. The church and former parsonage are on the same parcel. The Washtenaw County Health Department has identified issues with the well and septic system, which would be very expensive to correct. One method includes an overlay district; another was a planned unit development. Milkey would like to provide the planning commission with direction.

Trustee Walter suggested an historic preservation district could be another option. There was interest and extensive discussion by the board. Such a district includes requirements that must be met when an historic building is updated. Grant funding can be available. One use of the church being considered by a potential buyer is for weddings. Whether wedding receptions could also be allowed was discussed. The city has an historic district ordinance. The Manchester Area Historical Society could possibly serve as a third party to advise the township. Milkey will get input from the township attorney and planner to bring back next month. The board approved resolutions to amend five budgets ahead of the end of the fiscal year on June 30.

The board appointed Trustee John Seefeld to represent the township at the Western Washtenaw Recycling Authority to replace Treasurer Kim Thompson.

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.