3/13/13 - Amid all of the discussion in the past several weeks about township contracts with the Livingston County Sheriffâs Department for targeted road patrols, one county commissioner is upholding the reputation of the deputies themselves. Commissioner Steve Williams says the dispute between Hartland and Tyrone townships over renewing the road patrol contract with the county might make it seem to some that the reliability or service of the deputies themselves is being called into question. "I do represent Putnam Township, which is the third township in the county that has a contract with the sheriff's department, and I want to make sure that it's at least recognized that Putnam Township is very happy with the level of service. I think in a way that the deputies are caught in the middle here and I want to publicly recognize them for the good work they do." The contract talks with Tyrone and Hartland townships and the county broke off last month after reaching an impasse over costs. Just yesterday though, township officials indicated a willingness to keep talking as the March 31st deadline approaches. A meeting is set up next week for just that purpose. The proposed contract would have provided Hartland and Tyrone with a 24-hour road patrol for the next two years with each township paying $153,000 the first year and $160,000 the next year. That was similar to previous deals in which the townships paid for the officersâ salaries while the county paid for the vehicle and equipment costs. Township officials, however, have said they are essentially subsidizing service for other municipalities that pay nothing for the patrols. (JK)
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