UPDATE ON ROADS

 

2008 continues the annual challenge to fund roadway improvements.  The Isabella County Road Commission (ICRC) has repeated its $10,000 Block Grant again this year, but has placed restrictions upon its use, which does not allow for ditching work that had done the previous two years.  They have no other funding available to cost share and the Township must pick up all other costs of roadway improvements, with the exception of some assistance in brining.  Asphalt seal coating is running about $20,000 per mile, but according to ICRC specifications, either the paved roadways in the Township are beyond the benefit of seal coating or are in too good of condition to seal coat this year.

 

With that in mind, the Board has decided to take on the following roadway projects for 2008:

 

  1. The Board has elected to utilize the ICRC Block Grant for the purpose of crack sealing the two miles of Whiteville Road, from Stevenson Lake Road to Herrick Road and the mile and a quarter of Grass Lake Road, from Mission Road on west.  This is purely experimental, as it has never been done in Isabella County before.  We are of the understanding the Gladwin County has had some reasonable success in prolonging roadway life with this process and MDOT does this on a regular basis.  The cost is in excess of $11,000.

 

  1. Road brining costs skyrocketed this year and caused the Board to reconsider its annual program.  Last year, we applied two 2,500 gallon applications of well brine at a cost of $4,204 per application.  This year the cost was announced to be $8,200 per application, which would have carried a cost $16,400.  In consideration of that cost increase, the Board decided to try a different process and elected to apply one 2,000 gallon application of chloride brine at a cost of $9,430.  The chloride brine is nearly 3 times more concentrated than the well brine and at the application rate, should give us 15% more chloride than we were getting with the former process.  The trucks should be hitting the gravel roadways any day.

 

  1. In an uncommon twist of fate, Isabella Township has approached the Board and asked if we would cost share in the rebuilding of Vernon Road, between Mission and Isabella, at a cost of $165,841.  The Board will be considering the request at our July meeting and has agreed in theory to provide $20,730 in cost share, which is the old standard of 12.5% of primary roadway costs on roadways that border other townships.  Isabella Township will pick up all remaining costs in the amount of $145,111.  Over the years, Isabella Township has been a benefactor of the 2% Tribal Funds and as such is able to take on this cost.  We appreciate Isabella Township’s generosity in this project.

 

UPCOMING TOWNSHIP BOARD ISSUES

 

Upcoming issues the Board will be considering are:

 

  1. Road Ditch Ordinance:  This issue is being considered in an effort to keep ditches from being destroyed from such actions as farming and construction.  Ditches and the drainage of water off of roadbeds is possibly the single most important factor in holding a roadway together. 
  2. Blight Ordinance:  Blight is a hot button issue that tests the balance between private property rights and the rights of others in a neighborhood from having to live in an unsightly and possibly unhealthy area. 
  3. Fire Millage:  A couple of years ago, a group of concerned citizens presented the Board with a petition to ask that a Road Millage be brought to the voters.  Two previous attempts to raise 2 mills had failed, with the latter losing by more votes than the first.  The Board has taken the failed attempts as a clear sign from the voters that they do not want a road millage.   Some consideration has been given to asking the voters to consider a 1 mill fire assessment.  Currently the Township pays an average of 1 mill annually from the Township General Fund, for fire protection from the Clare Area and Isabella Northeast fire departments.  Fire protection is not a mandated service that a township is required to provide, but is done so as a public service. NO consideration is being given to cease fire protection.  However, if we were to assess 1 mill for fire protection, we could free up approximately $32,000 of the Township’s General Fund, which could assist in road issues.  In April of this year, the Board considered proceeding forward with the Fire millage, but unanimously decided to table the issue in light of the tightening economy.  We will visit it again at a later date.
  4. Revision of Cemetery Ordinance:  Proposed revisions have been presented to the Board and are under consideration.   

 

Should the Board take up any of these issues; public hearings will be announced.

 

POLLING PLACE ACCESSIBILITY GRANT

 

The Township has been under pressure to improve Hall access to handicap and disabled persons.  Over a year ago, we had an inspection that among other issues indicated that we needed to lower the raised voting area inside the hall and needed to provide hard surface parking areas and sidewalks for handicap access.  With that, we applied for a Grant to make such improvements.  We have tentatively been awarded a $12,921 grant for reimbursement of a share of the associated costs, by the Michigan Department of State.  Federal funds are part of the Grant.  In addition, we will be making other improvements that will include painting of the exterior and interior wood surfaces of the Hall and paving an area larger than what is required by the handicap access rules.  This work should be completed by September 30, 2008.

 

OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST

 

  1. Many of you may have noticed the new Cemetery sign that was installed prior to Memorial Day.  Jack McConnell, Trustee, headed up the sign project and we appreciate his efforts in bringing it to completion.  There will also be a new one installed at the Hall.
  2. New yellow reflective sign post strips will be going up around each rail road crossing within the Township, as part of the County Ad Hoc Safety process.
  3. Waste Management has asked that we remind township customers that items for pickup on the assigned day should be at the roadway edge by 6:00 AM.
  4. We have completed a project with the US Census Bureau to confirm residential units for the upcoming 2010 Census.  The project took nearly 100 hours to complete.
  5. Mike Turner, Trustee, has agreed to serve as the Township’s liaison to the Planning Commission.  This is not an official position, but more of a process to keep the Township abreast of issues developing at the County Planning Commission.  Thanks Mike for your assistance.
  6. Mary Jo Fachting has been serving on a revolving one year seat at the Pere Marquette Library, on behalf of the Township.  We appreciate her agreeing to provide that service.
  7. In the past year, Gordon Gilchrist and Kelly Bean have accepted appointments to the County Zoning Board of Appeals.  We appreciate their involvement.  The Board would welcome the involvement of more Township citizens on County Boards and Committees.  If anyone has an interest in serving, please let us know so that we can watch for opportunities that may come available.  The citizen input from our area is sorely needed.
  8. The Township Board holds its regular monthly meeting the first Monday of each month, beginning at 6:30 PM.  We invite all citizens to attend.