Sumpter Democrats will hold a caucus the morning of May 5 at the Sumpter Township Community Center.
At the Jan. 10 meeting of the Sumpter Township Board of Trustees, Debbie Chamberlain asked for permission to use the community center for the caucus.
Chamberlain, a longtime Sumpter resident, said she was representing the 15th Congressional District and is a Sumpter precinct delegate. She is in charge of the caucus.
She said in order to save money the Democrats have decided to caucus rather than participate in the Feb. 28 Presidential Primary Election, in which the Republicans are voting.
Chamberlain said she was aware of the policy against using the community center for political meetings, but she said the Republicans will be using it all day Feb. 28 for their election.
She asked the board to consider changing its policy on use of the community center to allow such a caucus for any party viable under state law.
Chamberlain said in the caucus, which is an official event of the Michigan Democratic Party, people will register from 9 to 11 a.m., caucus at 11 a.m., hear speakers, and then vote.
“I like the idea of tweaking the policy,” said Township Treasurer John Morgan and other board members said that should be looked into.
While Chamberlain said the caucus would be at no cost to the township, because the community center is already there, Supervisor Johnny Vawters said thre would be a cost to the township for set up, having personnel on hand, and cleanup. Rather than having free use, Vawters said there would be a minimum charge.
“You’ll have coffee and donuts,” Vawters said, with a twinkle in his eye. “I don’t know who’ll give them to you, but you’ll have them.”
Chamberlain’s request was made during the work/study session and during the regular meeting, the use of the community center on May 5 was approved, with a $200 fee and $100 deposit.
In other business at the Jan. 10 meeting, the board:
• Approved discontinuing the services of Metco and Giffels Webster engineering companies and go out for bids for a new engineering company for Sumpter Township. Metco, which has been with Sumpter for 19 years, will be able to bid and must surrender all documents it has gathered for its most recent project. Supervisor Vawters said since the township is stretched for funds they want to get the same work done for a little less cost. He said the move was not to put the spotlight on anyone, but to go out for bids for services every two or three years;
• Approved sending Deputy Treasurer Karen Armatis to the Michigan Municipal Treasurers’ Institute at Central Michigan University April 22-27 at a cost not to exceed $975. This is the last session she must attend before being certified;
• Approved an agreement between Wayne County/ Community Development Block Grant and Sumpter Township from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2016;
• Approved purchase of three sewer pumps and parts from DuBois Cooper at a total of $10,941;
• Approved having the supervisor and clerk sign the SMART contract for fiscal year 2012;
• Approved the annual Wayne County Road Permits for road work;
• Approved advertising for two, part-time employees as laborers for the Water Department. DPW Director Marvin Drews said they hired two, full-time workers last year after they had been laid off elsewhere. Then they got their jobs back and left. This time they want to try a couple of part-time workers who can be trained and get state certification. Minimum age would be 18;
• Discussed the status of the PNA Hall and agreed the building is not up for sale, as rumored. Trustee Bill Hamm brought up the subject. There was discussion on whether the building can be reopened, since the accountant said the township couldn’t afford the cost. The heat is low, the water has been turned off, there is antifreeze in the toilets, and township officials check the condition of the building regularly. The telephone number for setting up rentals has been rerouted to the township hall, but no rentals are being taken. Details of who would run it and when it would reopen needs to be worked out. Hamm said he wanted to start a discussion on what to do about the hall. If it is to be reopened, the date needs to be decided upon so those planning parties will know. Deputy Clerk Esther Hurst said the township gets about 10 calls a week asking about renting the hall and they tell callers it is closed;
• Heard Supervisor Vawters ask residents to take leaves out of their ditches and carry them to the landfill, so the drainage can improve and dry out the township after the record-breaking rainfalls of 2011. He said they found 15 beaver dams blocking drainage and then another three near the 7th Day Adventist Church, with one being 7’ tall by 6’ wide. He said the township is paying a person to remove the dams;
• Approved amendments to the contract with the Detroit Water Board;
• Heard Deputy Supervisor Craig Moody announce that those who qualify because of income can get free smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Call the township hall for more information;
• Heard Moody announced a county parks grant for $50,000 had been approved and he got word Jan. 9 that $40,000 more was approved. The funds are pretty much earmarked for a parking lot and two pavilions;
• Heard resident Mary Ban announce the new light has been installed at the Rawsonville and Judd intersection. She thanked those responsible. She also complained about trash pickup dates and road conditions;
• Heard Dale Folke complain about noise from trucks and trash from trucks. He said truckers should be more considerate of their neighbors;
• Heard Sheila Petersen announce she is going door to door with a petition to have Judd Road paved from Rawsonville east. Those interested in signing may call Jim at 734-270-2321; and
• Heard Sharon Claxton give comments on the PNA Hall, trucks that tear up the roads, school buses that drive too fast, and the increased cost of water hookups from $5,000 to $10,000 each because of home foreclosures.