VBT Supervisor Combs moves sidewalk project forward with county

By Rosemary K. Otzman
Independent Editor
Susan Ireland, executive director of the Van Buren Township Downtown Development Authority, reported Friday that Supervisor Linda Combs has been able to move the sidewalk project forward.
Supervisor Combs was ill and unable to attend the DDA’s Sept. 23 meeting when the sidewalks were discussed.
Ireland said Supervisor Combs contacted the Wayne County Executive’s Office to request a meeting about the sidewalk project.
“They accommodated her request immediately and yesterday morning (Thursday) we met in his offices with the Roads Division and were able to find a solution that would allow the complete sidewalk to be installed,” Ireland said.
“I am very grateful to the Supervisor for her quick response and playing a lead role to assist with a project that that was turned over to the DDA in 2011,” Ireland said.
“Had it not been for the Supervisor, we would only be completing a partial sidewalk on Belleville Road. Now having said that, the plans are being revised for submission, but I will feel more confident when I see a permit from Wayne County,” Ireland said.
On Tuesday, Ireland said she spoke with attorney Patrick McCauley about the need to hold a special meeting with respect to the change in scope for the sidewalk installation (the portion of the sidewalk on Belleville Road and on the I-94 North Service Drive).
“The outcome of the meeting Supervisor Combs and I had with Wayne County Executive Ficano and his staff was that they will allow the French drain at 8705 Belleville Road.
“Attorney McCauley informed me that because of the material change of circumstances, expediency of completing the project and cost savings of bidding it as one project, it would be appropriate to bid the entire project and then come back to the DDA to amend the previous motion of Sept. 23 to include 8705 and 8778 Belleville Road.”