Dear Editor,
Thank you residents who took the time to complete and return the Brandon Township Fiscal Priorities Survey. The constructive comments and suggestions that were included on many of the surveys were very much appreciated. Survey results are available on the www.brandontownship.us website. Copies of the survey results will also be available at the township offices.
During Septemberfest this year the township will be manning a booth where citizens can speak to an official about township government and our 3-year budget plan. We will also have copies of the Brandon Township Fiscal Survey results on hand and mosquito control products available for residents.
Brandon Township is sponsoring Fall Clean-Up again this year. Appointments are available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during the month of September. Please call the Supervisor’s office at (248) 627-4918 for more information and to schedule an appointment.
There has been a lot of controversy lately regarding the board’s split decision to complete the Land and Water Conservation Grant project at the Brandon Township Community Park. In April of 2009 the Brandon Township Board of Trustees unanimously approved a resolution to comply with any and all terms of an agreement with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to complete our park project for $75,000 in matching funds. The park project included a ‘boundless? playground structure, a lift station for the sledding hill, 760 feet of trail and lighting. The playground structure and part of the trail was installed last year. After receiving bids for the lift station, lighting and remaining pathway, it was evident that there were not enough township park development funds available to complete the project. Park development funds are comprised of cell tower revenue and program registration fees. A request was made to and granted by the DNR to omit the lighting from the project. The board was also informed that the lift station was the primary reason the grant was awarded to us back in 2008. The estimates to complete the lift station and pathway came in at a total of $81,493. According to the agreement, some of the consequences that may be incurred if the agreement with the DNR is breached include repayment of grant funds, payment of penalties, and the withholding of action on all pending and future grant applications. Given the current economic times and the board’s desire to channel cell tower funds into the general fund it was not an easy decision to complete the project.
Kathy Thurman
Brandon Township Supervisor