Sumpter Twp. accepts donation of two parcels of old fire property

By Rosemary K. Otzman
Independent Editor
Sumpter Township is being given two parcels of land it used to own, just south of Joe Nasser’s corner market at the corner of Sumpter and Willis roads.
These are the properties where the old fire station used to stand. The land was auctioned off when the roller rink and ice cream parlor were also auctioned.
Deputy Treasurer Karen Armatis said since owner Jerry Pattah can’t build on the parcels he is offering them as a gift to the township.
At the Sumpter Township regular board meeting on Jan. 13, township attorney Rob Young said he has ordered a study by Michigan Title, for a couple hundred dollars, to verify status of the properties.
The board voted unanimously to approve the donation, contingent on all matters being settled in favor of the township.
In other business at the Jan. 13 meeting, the board:
• Approved, in an emergency action, paying $11,750 to Keep it in the 70s to replace the heating unit in the part of the community center that holds the police department and the former Head Start program. Police Chief James Pierce said they are working with icicles on the windows and, “Jewell and Sue have to endure terrible conditions. It’s freezing over there.” He said it’s been costing $1,000 to $2,000 a year for repairs to the system. Trustee Peggy Morgan said it is really sad because they have been having problems with heating and cooling the old building for a long time. “We’re way past due to getting something done,” Trustee Morgan agreed. Supervisor John Morgan said they’ve been having conversations about options and hopefully will come up with a plan, but until then they’ve got to get the building heated. Chief Pierce said Keep it in the 70s gave the township the same price quote as last year and is providing a 12-ton unit instead of the 10-ton unit at the same price;
• Approved the supervisor’s appointment of Jay Bardell to the planning commission to fill the vacancy left by Matt Oddy when Oddy moved over to be board liaison to the commission. Bardell’s term will expire June 22, 2015. Trustee Oddy will be board liaison through Nov. 20, 2016;
• Set a public hearing for 6 p.m., Jan. 27, to discuss the budget for use of 2015 Community Development Block Grant funds. Joan Hennessey said the township also has funds in the CDBG 2013 budget for a generator for the senior center so the center can be used as a heating or cooling center when the electricity goes out. Clerk Clarence Hoffman asked about CDBG funds for a LED sign, like in Belleville, at the senior center to be used for township notices. Hennessey said that would only be possible if the notices were just for seniors, not township-wide. Hennessey said the maps of the township’s low and moderate income area have been redone and she will bring copies to the public hearing. While discussing housing rehab, she said they should get a fact sheet out to residents on the procedure;
• Approved accepting the 2013-14 Wayne County Parks grant for $20,000 as approved by Wayne County on Nov. 20, 2014;
• Approved going out for sealed bids to remove the old roof and replace it with a new steel roof on the fairgrounds pavilion to be paid for with Wayne County recreation grant funds. The pavilion was built in the 1960s and the roof leaks;
• Approved the supervisor’s reappointments to the Board of Review for 2015: John W. Morgan, Jennifer Massel, Karen Woodington and Brenda Bukis;
• Approved the annual Animal Sheltering Agreement between the township and the Michigan Humane Society. Handling fees are $50 per domestic animal; $70 per wildlife animal; $40 per sick or injured wildlife; $30 per two or more animals from a litter of baby animals (such as rabbits, ducks, birds, etc.); and a specimen preparation and handling fee of $250 for each animal to be tested for rabies, plus possible additional fees. No fee is charged to Sumpter for owned animals given directly to the Michigan Humane Society by their owners;
• Approved, with a roll-call vote, paying warrants of $542,942.98;
• Heard Supervisor Morgan report that a representative from the library came out the previous Friday to talk to him about what Sumpter wants as a library in the township, wanting to know what the board wants and surveying the residents. He said, also, the supervisor of Van Buren Township asked Sumpter to support the Belleville Area Museum and that issue will be discussed at the next Sumpter meeting;
• Heard resident Mary Ban ask if they shouldn’t ask for more insulation to keep the community center warm and Captain Eric Luke said the police department windows are Plexiglas and, “No matter how much insulation you put on, the heat leaks out the windows”; and
• Heard Ban ask if Sumpter police are watching out for their own personal safety. Captain Luke said they are doing training online while on shift and for the last four to five months they have been studying officer safety. “We don’t really change from day to day or month to month,” he said. “It’s an ongoing thing.”