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Local Lawmaker Says Mental Health Task Force Already Uncovering Barriers Residents FaceLocal Lawmaker Says Mental Health Task Force Already Uncovering Barriers Residents Face

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A special task force, co-chaired by a local lawmaker, is looking ahead to an upcoming community meeting as part of their mission to improve mental health in Michigan. State Representatives Hank Vaupel of Handy Township and Klint Kesto of Commerce Township co-chair the bi-partisan Michigan House Mental Health task force. The C.A.R.E.S. task force is comprised of seven Republicans and seven Democrats, all of whom are exploring ways to enable Michigan residents facing mental health challenges to live happier, healthier and independent lives. C.A.R.E.S. is an acronym for the key elements the panel hopes to address and stands for Community, Access, Resources, Education, and Safety. Rep. Vaupel says the task force is trying to look at trends in each area and the barriers residents in those regions face. He says transportation, employment, and housing are all contributing factors. Vaupel says every geographical area has different barriers as well as things that are done right, but the segments aren’t tied together as well as they should be. He says the task force is proactive about delving into this issue and employing the best practices statewide. He feels there is excellent treatment available in the state, but that it is disjointed and patients can fall between the cracks. The task force held its first meeting earlier this month at the Livingston County Public Safety Complex in Howell. Their next meeting will be held this Thursday at 10am at Hope Network in Grand Rapids. Legislators are encouraging the public to attend and offer input, as it will help them in developing reforms that will provide consistency in mental health services. Residents who cannot attend the meeting can also submit their suggestions regarding mental health care online at the link below. (DK)

Man Who Led High-Speed Chase On I-96 Rejects Plea OfferMan Who Led High-Speed Chase On I-96 Rejects Plea Offer

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A Lansing man who fled from police, leading a high-speed chase on I-96, has rejected a plea offer from prosecutors. 35-year-old Deron Maurice Wilson appeared in Livingston County Circuit Court Friday for a pre-trial hearing. There, he was offered a plea deal by prosecutors, but turned it down. The details of the deal were not made available. Wilson is charged as a habitual offender with 2nd degree fleeing a police officer, carrying concealed weapons, resisting a police officer, driving with a suspended license, open intoxicants, and felony firearms. The charges stem from the April 15th incident, in which Livingston County Sheriff’s deputies attempted to pull Wilson over for a traffic violation. Wilson took off, leading a high speed chase on I-96. Livingston County Sheriff Mike Murphy says Wilson traveled east, and then exited at D-19. He then traveled north and re-entered I-96 headed west. Murphy says deputies pursued Wilson until the chase became a safety concern. Not long after, his vehicle was spotted in Lansing and he was arrested without incident. Wilson is due back in court September 15th for a final settlement conference. (DK)

United Way's Annual Day of Caring Returns WednesdayUnited Way's Annual Day of Caring Returns Wednesday

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A yearly event dedicated to community service projects in Livingston County will return Wednesday. Livingston County United Way’s 16th annual Day of Caring will include approximately 1,450 volunteers performing over 130 community service projects in the area. United Way Executive Director Nancy Rosso says the projects range from collecting food donations and personal care items, yard work, home repair, painting projects, to cleaning and more. Volunteers in blue shirts will give back in an effort to make the single largest day of community service in Livingston County a success. After the projects are completed, volunteers will be treated to lunch at the Howell City Park. Event Chairman Pete Lindhout says this shows the caliber of people in Livingston County and their willingness to help one another. Rosso says the number of projects and participating volunteers will exceed 2016’s event. With regret, Rosso says it is too late to sign up to volunteer because groups have already been paired up with projects. She is giving the community an early notice though for 2018’s Day of Caring, encouraging everyone to save the date for the third Wednesday in August of next year. (DK)

Brighton Celebrates 150th Birthday With Block PartyBrighton Celebrates 150th Birthday With Block Party

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History came alive in Downtown Brighton yesterday as the community celebrated the city’s 150th birthday. The community block party on Main Street had an old timey-feeling with its variety of historic displays, performances, and attractions. Mindy Kinsey, a member of the Brighton Area Historical Society, says the goal was to engage the community with a blast from the region’s past. Party guests strolled down the street, taking in the attractions the celebration offered in a timeline fashion. There were older practices, like blacksmith demonstrations and vintage photo opportunities, coupled with more modern amenities, such as the entertainment performances. There were also components that included both. The Casual Quilters Guild of Brighton hosted a quilt show at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. On display were quilts that were recently made, as well as those made a very long time ago. Betsy Herbst, whose family settled in Brighton in 1837, brought quilts to display that were made by her grandmother and great-grandmother. She says the quilts were made in the early 1900s'. The event also included a picnic and a tour of the Old Village Cemetery. As part of the tour, volunteers took on a character, acting as certain people that were buried in the cemetery. That included noteworthy individuals, like Kinsley Bingham, who served as Michigan’s 11th governor and is buried at the Old Village cemetery. There were also characters that represented individuals that were seemingly average, but no less important to Brighton’s history. Tammy Sexton, a member of the Historical Society, played Alice Jolly, a single mother of two children. Sexton says her character is important because her situation was always relevant. Sexton reminds that even back then, there were women who faced challenges that come along with being a single parent. Sexton says that timeless connection and ability to relate is what makes history interesting. Jim Vichich, President of the Brighton Area Historical Society, feels the event was well-attended and enjoyed by all. A giant, fake birthday cake was created for the occasion and floated in the center of the Mill Pond, and the evening was capped off with a 50 Amp Fuse concert and a laser light show. (DK)

Lansing Man Drowns At Spring Mill Pond Sunday Lansing Man Drowns At Spring Mill Pond Sunday

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A drowning at the Island Lake State Recreation Area sparked a large scale recovery effort involving multiple departments this past weekend. The Green Oak Township Police and fire departments were called out around 7:19pm Sunday to the Spring Mill Pond for a reported drowning. Authorities say an 18-year-old Lansing man had been floating on a personal inflatable raft in the Spring Mill Pond when he fell and became submerged below the surface. The man was said to be outside of the marked swim area and was relying solely on the inflatable raft to stay afloat. Police say the victim did not know how to swim and the drowning had been witnessed by other family members that had gathered at the park for a party. A coordinated effort to locate the victim was started once emergency responders arrived on scene. After conducting an underwater search, the victim was located by members of the Livingston County Dive Team in water that was approximately 24 feet deep, roughly 35 yards from the shoreline. The victim was submerged beneath the surface for approximately one hour and 45 minutes before being removed from the water and pronounced deceased. His identity is not being released, pending notification of all family members. The Hartland and Howell Fire Departments, U of M Survival Flight and Livingston County EMS assisted at the scene. (JM)

Authorities Identify Spring Mill Pond Drowning VictimAuthorities Identify Spring Mill Pond Drowning Victim

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A Lansing man who drowned at the Island Lake State Recreation Area over the weekend has been identified. The Green Oak Township Police and fire departments were called out around 7:19pm Sunday to the Spring Mill Pond for a reported drowning. Authorities say 18-year-old Caelond Travis Pearson of Lansing had been floating on a personal inflatable raft in the Spring Mill Pond when he fell and became submerged below the surface. The man was said to be outside of the marked swim area and was relying solely on the inflatable raft to stay afloat. Police say the victim did not know how to swim and the drowning had been witnessed by other family members that had gathered at the park for a party. A coordinated effort to locate Pearson was started once emergency responders arrived on scene. After conducting an underwater search, he was located by members of the Livingston County Dive Team in water that was approximately 24 feet deep, roughly 35 yards from the shoreline. Pearson was submerged beneath the surface for approximately one hour and 45 minutes before being removed from the water and pronounced deceased. The Hartland and Howell Fire Departments, U of M Survival Flight and Livingston County EMS assisted at the scene. (JM/DK)

SPARK Releases Livingston Economic Report, Action PlanSPARK Releases Livingston Economic Report, Action Plan

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Livingston County continues to grow and there are real opportunities for recruiting and retaining both talent and businesses. Those are some of the findings of a recently released benchmarking report of Livingston County’s economic growth. It was completed by the Economic Development Council of Livingston County and Ann Arbor SPARK, which provides business recruitment and retention services to the area. The report documents the region’s continued economic success and an action plan for continued economic growth. SPARK works to help companies grow and expand but also connect local talent to job opportunities. The report examined land use issues, taking into account how the number of available sites and buildings in the county compare to what the market is asking for. There was also a talent component and what job opportunities are out there. SPARK Senior Vice President Phil Santer says it was a really good opportunity to give a data perspective related to what’s going on in the county, where it excels and where there might be some work to do. He tells WHMI Livingston County is a bedroom community, meaning the majority of people who live here, head outside of the county for work. He explained the county has a highly educated and good population of people living here but there is a need to connect local talent with good job opportunities to work in the county, instead of commute out. The main industries for economic drive locally include retail/hospitality, healthcare and manufacturing. Santer says the latter has been a great driver for growth in the job market overall and that will continue in the future. He says SPARK will be working to attract and grow businesses that have those types of opportunities. One challenge though is Livingston County having the lowest unemployment rate in all of Michigan’s 83 counties. Santer says median household income continues to be a high point for Livingston County, which was identified as one of the wealthiest in the state. He says there’s continuing growth with new residents but growth needs to be managed to make sure the business communities have opportunities to grow with them. Finally, he says it will be crucial to stay focused on the talent engagement piece and noted various needs within the health care sector. A link to the full report is provided. (JM)

57th Annual Howell Melon Festival This Weekend57th Annual Howell Melon Festival This Weekend

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It’s melon time again in Howell. The 57th annual Howell Melon Festival returns to the community this weekend, offering family friendly activities, entertainment, train rides, food and Howell melons. In addition to traditional festival favorites and the 40th annual Howell Melon Run, there will be some new additions this year. Howell Area Parks & Recreation Festival/Special Events Director Nicole Kamienski tells WHMI one new attraction this year will be The Great Lakes Timber Show on Saturday and Sunday. The family-friendly entertainment features log rolling, axe-throwing and chainsaw carving. A giant water balloon slingshot game and an inflatable kids carnival will be located near the Howell Carnegie District Library while classic root beer floats will be served on Grand River. The Melon Festival Tent will feature craft beer, local wines, food and games. A free concert in the festival tent Friday night will feature Empty Canvas, who will create an oil painting while performing live music. The main stage entertainment Saturday night will be Great Scott. Just as Howell melons are a community tradition, so too is the Doc May Memorial Melon Ride. The 15-mile ride winds through historic neighborhoods, the McPherson Park Bike Path, Crosstown Trail, Howell City Park and Lake View Cemetery. The ride has become a Howell Melon Festival Tradition and is the community’s way of celebrating the life of Doctor Pat May. The ride ends back at the Livingston County Courthouse for the post-ride, Howell melons and ice cream. Complete information and a schedule of events is available through the link provided. (JM)

Motorcyclist Critical Following Sunday Crash On Fenton RoadMotorcyclist Critical Following Sunday Crash On Fenton Road

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A motorcyclist was injured in a Sunday night crash that shut down a local roadway for three hours. Deputies with the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the crash shortly before 7:30pm, which involved a single motorcycle on Fenton Road, south of Read Road. Preliminary investigation revealed that a 45-year-old Hartland man was traveling south on Fenton Road on a 2007 Harley Davidson when he lost control and left the roadway. The man was ejected from the motorcycle and sustained serious injuries. He was hospitalized and was last reported in critical condition. Fenton Road was closed for approximately three hours during the investigation. The Hartland Area Fire Department and Livingston County EMS assisted on scene. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet. The Sheriff’s Office says alcohol and speed do not appear to be factors in the crash, which remains under investigation. (JM)

Brighton Twp. Sewer Users Critical Over Their Interest Rate Vs. Local Church'sBrighton Twp. Sewer Users Critical Over Their Interest Rate Vs. Local Church's

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Original users of Brighton Township’s Sanitary Sewer System are frustrated with how their interest rates are matching up against a local church’s. On Thursday, the township’s Board of Trustees held a special meeting to approve an agreement with the Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church. The church plans to expand its building and it was determined they would need five additional REUs, or residential equivalency units, for their addition. The agreement allows the church to pay their REU charges over time at an interest rate of 5%. This didn’t sit well with some of the sewer system’s original users, specifically long-time critic Bob Potocki, who says he and others are paying at a rate of 5.9%. Potocki says the prices being charged for the services the system provides exceed market price and feels it is “discriminatory” for developments in the area to be given a lower interest rate. The original users’ rate is based on a refinance of the sewer bond in 2015. Township documents show a resolution was approved that year to reduce the interest rate on sewer system special assessments to 5.9% from 6.03%. A 4% interest rate for the refinanced bond is called for by the township’s current bond schedule. An additional 1% for administrative fees is applied on top of that, totaling the church’s rate of 5%. Manager Brian Vick says the township’s policy does not require all users be charged the same interest rate and reiterated that later in Thursday’s meeting. The township’s sewer system has been under fire for many years as its original users allege they have been overcharged in assessment fees. A lawsuit against the township filed by residents demanding a refund is in litigation. (DK)

Public Input Sought For Statewide Long-Range Transportation PlanPublic Input Sought For Statewide Long-Range Transportation Plan

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Community meetings seeking input from Livingston County residents on a statewide transportation plan will be held next month. The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, or SEMCOG, is looking for feedback to aid in the development of the region’s long-range transportation plan. Public input meetings are scheduled throughout the region to allow residents to share their priorities for the 2045 transportation system. Livingston County’s meeting will be held Wednesday, September 13th, at Genoa Township Hall on Dorr Road. Two meetings will take place that day; one from 12 to 1:30pm and one from 5:30 to 7pm. The plan, to be adopted in 2019, will describe how billions of dollars will be invested in the region’s transportation infrastructure and operations. As the transportation needs of the region evolve with changes in population and demographics, travel and lifestyle preferences, the economy, and technology, particular emphasis will be placed on a number of factors. Those include walking and biking, traffic safety, pavement condition, transit, environmental quality, traffic congestion and operations, and freight and border crossings. Residents can also offer input through an online survey. More information can be found at the link below. (DK)

US-23 Lane Shifts Begin Tonight, Ramp Closures To Follow WednesdayUS-23 Lane Shifts Begin Tonight, Ramp Closures To Follow Wednesday

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Starting tonight on US-23 between Barker and 8 Mile Roads, a shift to move the two southbound lanes and the two northbound lanes of traffic from the northbound side of the freeway is expected to occur. Once the shift is in place, all four lanes of traffic on US-23, two in each direction, will be located on the newly reconstructed southbound side of the freeway. At that time, the reconstruction of northbound US-23 will begin. This traffic configuration is expected to remain in place until early November. Then beginning Wednesday morning, the northbound US-23 on-ramp from 8 Mile Road is expected to close, after the traffic shift occurs on US-23. At that time the southbound US-23 on-ramp is expected to open. The closure is needed for reconstruction. A detour will be posted for each ramp closure. Also on Wednesday, the northbound and southbound US-23 on-ramp from M-36 will close. The ramps will be closed until September 15th. The closure is needed for ramp reconstruction and for the construction of the extended acceleration lane at the interchange. Detours will be posted for each ramp closure as well. (DK)

Brighton School District and Teachers' Union Reach Tentative Contract AccordBrighton School District and Teachers' Union Reach Tentative Contract Accord

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The Brighton Board of Education has reached tentative agreement with the Brighton Education Association, which represents the district’s approximately 300 teachers. Superintendent Greg Gray announced the TA at Monday night’s regular meeting. The teachers have two years to go on their master contract, but have an annual salary and benefits reopener. Gray tells WHMI that the agreement calls for a 1% salary hike and another 1% for teachers who have completed the required professional development classes. The Board of Education is expected to ratify the tentative agreement at its next meeting on Aug. 28th. Gray says the BEA membership will vote on the contract Aug. 28th and 29th. Gray says he has to contact the district attorney to make sure it’s OK to approve the agreement before the teachers’ union has ratified it. He says it’s not illegal for a school board to do that; he just wants to make sure it’s advisable procedurally. Board member John Conely questioned the salary increase, saying the state just gave the district a big per-pupil increase, and argued that the teacher salary increases are eating up the increases in state aid. But Gray says that’s not entirely true, citing the fact that teachers were underpaid for many years, including recently, when they got no salary increase at all during hard times. Gray also says the pay increase for 2017-18 will cost the district $425,000 – less than half the state aid increase. (TT)

Letters Of Interest Due Friday For LESA Board Vacancy Letters Of Interest Due Friday For LESA Board Vacancy

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The deadline is nearing for potential candidates to submit letters of interest for an LESA board vacancy. The Livingston Educational Service Agency Board of Education is accepting letters of interest from community members who would like to interview for the open seat. Longtime board member and current Vice President Julie Hill informed the board during the August 9th meeting that she has moved her permanent residence outside of Livingston County. LESA Superintendent Dr. Mike Hubert says Hill will be hard to replace as she is very well respected having been an active board member in the county for nearly 30 years. He says Hill always had high expectations for the Agency and great compassion and support for students and staff. Whoever is appointed would serve the remainder of Hill’s term, which runs through June 30th, 2021. Interested applicants are asked to email their letters of interest to Hubert by 3pm Friday. The LESA Board of Education will then conduct candidate interviews during a special meeting August 23rd. The board typically has had one member representing each of the five public school districts in Livingston County. Officials say ideally, that tradition would continue with a new board member being appointed from within the district boundaries of Hartland Consolidated Schools. (JM)

Conceptual Plans Approved For Proposed Land Swap Between Howell City & MDNRConceptual Plans Approved For Proposed Land Swap Between Howell City & MDNR

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The Howell City Council has approved a conceptual design for land the City is looking to use to replace lost parkland on Lucy Road. The City had a number of ball fields on Lucy Road as part of the former Lucy Road landfill site, but those facilities were closed down in the late 1980’s due to contamination found on site. The City previously received a $25,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to do some upgrades. Since the City lost that park space and open space, part of conditions established by the DNR is that it must be replaced with equally valuable property. Otherwise, the City is never eligible for future DNR grants, which Howell City Manager Shea Charles notes is a major source for park improvements throughout the state. If the proposed land swap is approved by the state, it puts the City back on an eligible list to get grants for future improvements. Council was comfortable with the concept and approved it unanimously. The land identified for the potential swap is the northern half of the Memorial Cemetery off Brewer Road, which is currently vacant. Two 90-feet ball fields and two smaller ones as well as a parking lot are depicted on the plans. Charles stressed approval of the conceptual plans were just an interim step to demonstrate to the state that the land is functional and a viable piece of property that can be used for various recreation facilities. The proposed swap is just that, and the City would retain ownership of the property. Charles says any final design is a long way out but it would be a City-owned park. As the conversation process moves along, future public hearings will be scheduled. (JM)

Airport Seeking Reimbursement Of Funds Spent On Damages Done By Jet CrashAirport Seeking Reimbursement Of Funds Spent On Damages Done By Jet Crash

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The Livingston County Airport is seeking a refund from their insurance company for charges associated with a crash that occurred at their facility in January. Earlier this year, a 60-year-old pilot from New York suffered a landing accident at the airport when his two-engine jet skidded off the runway and crossed Tooley Road. The wings were ripped from the plane and burst into flames. The pilot sustained minor injuries, but a fence at the end of the runway was damaged. During the aircraft fire, jet fuel drained from the wings and worked its way “slightly” into the ground, according to Airport Manager Mark D. Johnson. Johnson came before a county subcommittee Monday, seeking their approval to enter into a partial final release of property damage claims agreement for the accident. He says the county will be reimbursed just over $63,300, which is how much has been spent on a temporary fence for the airport, repairing the original fence and environmental cleanup. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has not yet issued a final reporting indicating that there are no remaining contaminants in the soil from the leaked fuel. Johnson however says their consultant believes they have done all they can do in regards to environmental remediation, short of putting in test wells and monitoring them. He communicated to county officials Monday that his only real concern is if sometime in the future, a resident were to say the fuel spill caused their well to go bad. While there is only one parcel nearby, Johnson says the airport is just 300 yards from the Shiawassee River, which causes some concern. Having received preliminary approval, the partial release for the expended airport funds resolution will come before the county’s Finance Committee Wednesday. Once the county receives its reimbursement, the airport’s budget will be amended to include the funds. (DK)

Fenton Man Accused In Fatal Crash Says He's SorryFenton Man Accused In Fatal Crash Says He's Sorry

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A Fenton man charged in a crash that left five people dead says he wants the victims' families to know he's sorry. 21-year-old Matthew Jordan Carrier is facing 19 felony counts, including 2nd degree murder, operating while intoxicated causing death and driving on a suspended license causing death. The charges were filed after a traffic crash that occurred at M-59 and Argentine Road in Oceola Township on May 9th. Investigators say Carrier ignored a stop sign as he traveled south on Argentine Road and smashed into a vehicle as it traveled eastbound on M-59. Two people in Carrier's car died. Three people in the other vehicle died, including a probation agent who had been honored at a Corrections Department banquet earlier that night. The Associated Press reports that in 53rd District Court last Friday, Carrier said he recalled consuming large amounts of alcohol that night but doesn't remember the crash and "it would be fair" if he went to prison. Carrier remains jailed without bond and returns to court August 23rd. (JM)

Brighton Woman To Represent Michigan At 2018 Special OlympicsBrighton Woman To Represent Michigan At 2018 Special Olympics

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A local woman has been selected to help represent Michigan at next year’s Special Olympics. Elizabeth Procunier of Brighton was one of 36 athletes named to Team Michigan for the 2018 USA Games. Procunier qualified for Bocce along with 3 other women by being one of the first place finishers at the 2017 State Summer Games. That competition took place in June, up in Mt. Pleasant. Lois Arnold, President and CEO for Special Olympics Michigan said that she was proud of Procunier and all the other athletes who were selected, saying that it is an amazing opportunity for them to represent Michigan on the national stage. 20 additional spots are still open on Team Michigan and will be filled out by men’s basketball and unified flag football teams. The state will also send 15 coaches to the games. Team Michigan will gather alongside and compete with roughly 4,000 other athletes for the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games, being held July 1st through the 6th, in Seattle, Washington. (MK)

Hamburg Township Working Towards Codifying All 95 Township OrdinancesHamburg Township Working Towards Codifying All 95 Township Ordinances

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The Hamburg Township Board of Trustees with the help of various departments has begun the process of reviewing and codifying all of their ordinances. Clerk Michael Dolan said that with 95 ordinances to go through, this is a huge process that began around a year ago. Some of them are near 40 years old. At Tuesday night’s regular meeting, they passed resolutions to adopt the first 17 ordinances in this process, all with ties to the police department. Until now, every first violation carried a $50 fine with a sliding scale for each following offense. A new ordinance now recalibrates fines based on the severity of the violation on a 5 point scale. A Class A violation will bring a fine of $1,000 now, Class B is $500, Class C is $250, Class D is $125, and a Class E first-violation will be for $75. Police Chief Richard Duffany was heavily involved in the reviewing and rewriting process of all the ordinances approved. Duffany spoke proudly of the reworked Breach of Peace ordinance. He believes this will better allow officers to address the major areas of noise complaints they get, being fireworks and disorderly conduct. The ordinance clearly dictates times that fireworks are allowed, and how far is too far for any noise to travel. Supervisor Pat Hohl said this new noise ordinance could become a model ordinance that other township’s follow. He complimented the team for designing a reasonable and specific ordinance that defines time and distance measures for noise related problems. A Breach of Peace violation will now bring a Class C fine. Also bringing a Class C fine is the Open Party ordinance. Duffany said this means if you are in charge of a house, vessel, or rental property and you have minors there that are not in your immediate family, then you have a duty to take reasonable action to prevent them from being in possession of alcohol or drugs. He said this is a “common sense” ordinance, but they have cleaned up the language and changed the fines. Among other resolutions approved by the board were ordinances that help with the enforcing of solicitors, marine safety, and substance abuse. (MK)

Baker Road Improvement Project On Display At Community Open HouseBaker Road Improvement Project On Display At Community Open House

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Area residents had the opportunity to learn more about a planned road improvement project in Dexter last night. The Baker Road Intersection Improvement Project is slated to begin construction in June of 2018 and last through August. A federal grant will fund the conversion of the intersections of Dan Hoey and Shield Road at Baker Road into two single-lane roundabouts. Baker Road will remain a two lane road both north and south of the intersections. An open house was held at Creekside Intermediate School so the public could have a look at the project design, ask questions they may have, express concerns, and learn how the layout will work. Displays at the meeting showed the project in different scales, one map even including matchbox cars and trucks for residents looking to learn from a hands-on experience. Officials with the Washtenaw County Road Commission say overall, they’ve had a positive response to the project. Director of Engineering Sheryl Soderholm Siddall says she hadn’t heard too many concerns about the roundabouts themselves. She says the majority of questions were in regards to pedestrian access and walkways through the roundabouts and Shield Road. The decision for the conversion to roundabouts came from several alternatives that were created based on a study done well over a year ago. Project leaders believe the roundabout intersections will provide traffic calming and subsequently, slower vehicle speeds. Officials also expect to see improvements in safety and enhanced traffic capacity and operations. The project will include concrete sidewalks, driveways, curbs, storm water management improvements, and street lights at the intersections. (DK)
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