Belleville Fire Fighter Christopher Zweng joins Sumpter Fire Dept.

Christopher Zweng, a Belleville fire fighter, is a new member of the Sumpter Township Fire Department.
At its July 28 meeting, the Sumpter Township Board of Trustees approved hiring Zweng as a paid-on-call fire fighter, contingent on him passing a physical and a drug test.
Fire Chief Joe Januszyk said since Zweng is already trained as a fire fighter, it will save the township money.
In other business at the 25-minute, in-person and masked, meeting at township hall, the board:
• Approved hiring Gerald Leblanc, Jr. as a backup building inspector;
• Approved paying $4,500 in additional cost for landscaping at Banotai and Graham parks;
• Learned the township-wide yard sale will be held Aug. 28-30. No permits are required for the sales;
• Was informed the 2020 Fire Department Chicken Broil has been canceled;
• Heard Public Safety Director/Police Chief Eric Luke say Sumpter Township officers helped the Wayne County Violent Crime Reduction Task Force apprehend a suspect in the death of a 13-month-old twin boy and beating of his brother. The suspect was apprehended at a residence in the 23000 block of Martinsville Road;
• Heard Chief Luke say that day, July 28, is the 35th anniversary of the death of Sumpter Officer Roy Graham whose patrol unit was hit by a drunk driver;
• Heard Karitha Hanible announce the annual Sumpter Progressive Civic League backback event for students has been canceled this year. She asked if the township has an economic development group and Supervisor John Morgan replied they did have one, but it’s been laying dormant for about 15 years. “I can’t remember why it disbanded, but it wasn’t officially disbanded.” Hanible said it could increase the township’s tax base. Supervisor Morgan said the township was limited because of its infrastructure. It was agreed the sewers with grinder pumps were not suitable for businesses. Hanible said Sumpter used to have a health clinic and there is a need;
• Heard Clerk Esther Hurst say that the Dollar General store is very interested in the Willis/Sumpter road area, but the prices are too high. She said she wishes they could entice the owners to lower their prices. Hurst said they never told her how much the property owners are asking, but it’s 25% more than what they were willing to pay. They are not willing to go farther south in the township. “It they put it up, people will come,” she said. “I haven’t given up on Dollar General”; and
• Heard Mary Ban say she is happy the eight members of her Bible group are able to meet in the community center on Tuesday mornings. She said they are praying for their community and for the nation.
Treasurer Ken Bednark and Trustee Don Swinson were absent and excused from the meeting.