Manchester Township discusses increased fire calls, Watkins Lake Trail connector
by Sybil Kolon
All board members were present at the July 14 board meeting except Lisa Moutinho. Also present were fire chief Mike Kouba and planning commissioner Jim Carpenter.
Kouba provided the monthly report for June. There were 58 calls for service, including three fires, two Hazmat incidents, and 41 EMS responses. There have been 377 calls to date, with increased calls continuing in July. Only some of these calls were related to recent storms and power outages. There was another resignation of a firefighter due to changed work hours.
Supervisor Ron Milkey reported that zoning administrator Carl Macomber had issued two permits for barns or garages and one deck. Progress continues on the blight at Lakeview Drive. A violation was issued for an RV camper on Sharon Hollow where someone is living on the weekends while they clear property for building.
Milkey reported on an inquiry about rezoning a parcel on the east side of M-52 near Austin Road from residential to industrial. The owner has requested a meeting with the township and city, as water and sewer service would likely be required.
The board discussed the next steps toward completion of The Watkins Trail Connection between Manchester and Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve. Approximately three-quarters of a mile remains to be improved between Grossman Road and where the current rail trail ends at Austin Road. After the public hearing about the trail in March, it was determined that additional discussion on alternative alignment of the trail should be explored to decrease the cost of construction, currently estimated at approximately $1.3 million, and address safety concerns and required easement access issues. Potential cost reductions could involve re-alignment into private property to remove the need for retaining wall, curb and gutter, shoulder installation, and stormwater improvements.
Construction will be funded by grants. The township has already received a Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission Connecting Communities grant to fund $366,000 of this pathway, and is waiting to hear on a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant. The county and state are committed to completion of this section.
The board considered a proposal from OHM, the engineering and design firm hired to assist with the completion of the trail, to explore alternatives, and approved the proposal as submitted, not to exceed $11,500.
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