City Council accepts Masonic Lodge’s offer to pay for police training

By Rosemary K. Otzman
Independent Editor
At Monday’s meeting the Belleville City Council unanimously accepted an offered grant from the Belleville Masonic Lodge to pay for police academy training for a person to work at Belleville PD.
The details are conditioned on what Police Chief Hal Berriman wants.
Chief Berriman said he has a person being considered for employment and the academy training starts fairly soon.
Mayor Kerreen Conley said there is no obligation to hire the person full time and the city does have a part-time position open. But, the person does not have to be hired for that position, either, she said.
Chief Berriman said the Masonic Lodge said this would be for more than one time and it could sponsor others.
“We want to be sure of what our obligation is,” said resident Mike Renaud.
When the Independent asked how much money is being talked about, Mayor Conley said she doesn’t know the cost.
A Belleville fire fighter said the last time he checked, the police academy cost $6,000.
Mayor Conley said the Masons have a substantial amount of money and they have to know if the city would be willing to accept the grant.
Councilman Tom Fielder said it would be important for the person to stay with the city after being trained at a community organization’s expense. He said the person could get trained, work in Belleville for a month or two, and then go elsewhere. The person could be hired here part time and then get offered a full-time position elsewhere.
The Independent said a similar subject was being discussed at a Sumpter Township meeting recently, and the township attorney advised them that “indentured servitude” is against the law.
Mayor Conley said the city doesn’t want to tie its hands, since it could be that the person trained doesn’t work out.
In other business at Monday’s meeting, the council:
• Discussed for almost an hour complaints from three vociferous residents of Harbour Pointe who don’t like the new parking signs that allow cars to park on just one side of the subdivision streets to make ambulances and fire trucks fit through in emergencies. They were told the city will not be enforcing the regulation for 90 days and if they come up with a better way to provide safety in the subdivision to let them know. The people said they would rather throw the whole council out and were advised the election next year only covers a few members. After they left the meeting, other members of the subdivision said the man who was so offensive lives the second house into the subdivision uses his driveway for a patio and parks his vehicles in the street;
• Approved a proclamation designating the month of November as Veteran’s History & Appreciation Month in the City of Belleville in recognition of the accomplishments, contributions and sacrifices of Veterans in the service of their country. It is for 2014 only and Mayor Conley said they can do it every year to bring attention to the honors;
• Approved a memo from City Manager Diana Kollmeyer on how to work out the costs of the repairs and the vendors for the fire apparatus;
• Approved calling a public hearing for 7:30 p.m., Nov. 17, to consider a transfer of $34,080 in federal 2012 Community Development Block Grant funds to replace the Village Park playscape to meet the American with Disabilities Act;
• Approved street closings for the Dec. 6 Jingle Bell – 5K Fun Run/Walk that begins at 9:45 a.m. and is being put on by the Van Buren Public Schools Education Foundation. It starts and ends at the Horizon Park Gazebo on High Street and all race activities will be completed by 11:30 a.m.;
• Approved the SMART specialized services operating assistance program for 2015. This agreement helps to subsidize the operation of a city service that provides transportation of the elderly and disabled persons in Belleville;
• Approved accounts payable of $78,026.96 and the following departmental purchases in excess of $500: to Hennessey, $6,600 from the Water Department for ongoing SRF work for sanitary sewer maintenance; and to Western Wayne County Fire Department, $2,319.29 for HEMS participation from the General Fund/Fire;
• Discussed the big success of the Booville event, with Trustee Tom Smith saying, “It was an incredible turnout for the first year. For 2015: Bigger, better, more”;
• Heard Trustee Kim Tindall recall that the city sent letters to every one of the 96 or so homes in Harbour Pointe to explain the new parking regulations, although those complaining that evening said they got no notice. DPW Director said the city got a total of 8-9 complaint calls; and
• Heard Mayor Conley invite everyone to her fund raiser this Friday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express to earn money for several local charities. They will auction off 300 purses and tickets are available at the door. There will be food, music, and cash bar.