The hard surfacing of McBride Road in Van Buren Township is moving ahead, with the project expecting to be done by the time the school buses roll this fall.
At its regular meeting April 19, the VBT Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve a cost of not to exceed $45,000 to pay Wade Trim engineers to do the topographical survey, specifications, bidding, permits, and a recommendation after the bids are open.
Dave Nummer of Wade Trim said if the contract was approved that evening, the surveyors would be out that same week to begin the work.
The asphalt paving of McBride Road is from Quirk to Beck roads, in front of McBride Middle School. Eighty percent of the cost is being paid through a Local Roads Initiative grant from Wayne County. The 20% matching money, $180,000, will be from the Van Buren Public Schools’ Sinking Fund.
The Wade Trim contract will be paid out of the project funds.
A township water main, along the roadway, will be replaced at the same time and paid for with VBT Water funds. The work will use a technique that does not involve excavation.
In other business at the 38-minute meeting on April 19, the board:
- Approved amendment to the 2016 Planning & Economic Development budget that includes $33,000 in pay for the continued scanning of documents and $15,000 more to keep McKenna Associates working on-site hours on building demolition and ordinance enforcement administration. Department Director Ron Akers said 14 buildings had been originally identified for demolition and 11 more properties have been identified. Money for the amendment is from the General Fund fund balance;
- Approved allowing VBT to enter into a contract with South Huron Valley Utilities Authority for financing of the Aeration Mixer Replacement Project. VBT’s share of $627,000 will be paid from Water and Sewer cash reserves and VBT will not have to join in the SHUVA bond program or pay any of the interest;
- Approved the second readings and final approvals of six ordinance amendments that will bring the township up to state standards in building and electrical regulations. Director Akers said these are housekeeping ordinances;
- Approved the second reading and final approval of an ordinance regulating Medical Marijuana Cultivation Facilities. The indoor facilities may be located in the seven or eight M-2 (Industrial) zoned sites of the far norther and far southern parts of the township. Dispensaries are prohibited;
- Heard an update on Senior Alliance activities in the township from Doug Simpson. Wayne County has discontinued money, as of Sept. 30, for Meals on Wheels, and so wait lists are expected during the 2017 fiscal year. “Bob Brown will make sure no senior goes hungry,” Simpson said, speaking of the Senior Alliance director. Simpson also said they will be doing an audit to make sure that all those getting Meals on Wheels are entitled. Supervisor Linda Combs, the former VBT Senior Director, said, “We’ve never had a waiting list and hope we never do”;
- Presented a proclamation to Mario Perkins recognizing the month of May as Motorcycle Safety Month;
- Heard Clerk Leon Wright announce that a portion of VBT in the Washtenaw County School District will be having an election on May 3 and so there will be no township board meeting on May 3; and
- Heard resident James Chapman talk of his support to save and restore the old, brick Riggs Heritage House at the corner of East Huron River Drive and Martinsville Road. The township has slated it for demolition. Chapman showed two staircase spindles that he took from the barn on the site 10 years ago. They are hand made and hand decorated and Chapman said he can duplicate the staircase. He said there may be a non-destruction clause in the deed. If there is a deed restriction, the township can’t destroy it. He asked, “Is something better going on” [at that site]?