Brandon Twp.- The township board is expected to make a decision tonight, Nov. 6, on the proposed purchase of 66.1 acres of land at a cost of $1,955,000 following a public hearing Oct. 30.
The only action taken following the public hearing was to move the decision to the regular board meeting, which will start at 7:30 p.m., at the township offices, 395 Mill St.
The special meeting last week drew about 20 people, which included several individuals who were pressent for a hearing on a separate matter? the distribution of Community Development Block Grant funds.
Brandon Fire Chief Bob McArthur gave a brief presentation on the property, which is located off M-15 and is adjacent to Brandon High School. Fire department funds would be used to purchase the property, which has about 5.2 acres of M-15 frontage that the fire department would keep for a potential fire station (zoned C); 22.6 acres of property that is zoned R1B and could potentially be used by the township for a municipal complex in the future and could also serve as a location for a wastewater treatment plant; 16 acres that the Brandon School District would buy from the Brandon Fire Department for parking at the high school at a price of $410,500.00; 5.3 acres of wetlands; and 17 acres for a conservation easement.
The fire department, explained McArthur, is planning ahead for a new station to replace Fire Station #1 on South Street in the village.
‘Being downtown is dangerous,? McArthur said at the hearing. ‘In the event we build a new fire hall, we would build out of town, away from the 25-mph speed limit, school crossings and pedestrians.?
McArthur developed a budget in which there would be no additional cost to taxpayers. The fire department would pay $200,000 a year on a 10-year loan for $1,369,500.00? the cost after a $175,000 down payment and after the school purchases their portion of the property.
McArthur said he has received overwhelming support from the community. At the hearing, a few individuals voiced that support, like 21-year Brandon resident Edward Albertson, who said, ‘It’s extremely important to get the fire station out on M-15. Sewers are important for the community. I love the idea of centralized (township) facilities. It’s an awesome project. (The land) won’t get any cheaper.?
But the proposed purchase also had its detractors at the meeting.
‘I have a hard time understanding that South Street is more dangerous than M-15,? said resident Conard Fulkerson, adding he believes a fire is more likely in the village with the older homes and the Old Mill and emergency vehicles would have to come right back in. ‘The response time is more critical to the village with older homes.?
Cheryl Gault of the North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy said she was disappointed no one from her organization was consulted on the purchase of property that her group had spent three years trying to conserve.
‘We would like to be part of discussions going forward to protect this property,? she said. ‘It’s important to protect.?
A day after the hearing, board members weighed in with their opinions.
Township Clerk Jeannie McCreery believes the hearing turnout was low and translates to support or neutrality on the subject from the public.
‘If they don’t feel really strongly, they don’t bother to come,? she said. ‘If people really didn’t want us to go forward, you’d hear from more people.?
McCreery supports the proposed purchase. Township Treasurer Linda Owen says she is not against buying property, however, she believes this is not the right time for it, citing a poor economy.
‘Times are tough for the taxpayers and I’m concerned for them,? said Owen, who also suggests the purchase be put to a vote of the people.. ‘I don’t think we should spend that much money right now.?
McCreery countered by pointing out that the money is all designated and McArthur has budgeted $200,000 per year for payments on the property.
‘If you gave that money back to the people, each person would get $13.33,? she said. ‘One of these days, we’re going to lose a child if we have to continue through that mess of buses, parents, kids walking across the street from H.T. Burt Elementary and the library. To me, $13.33 is worth saving the life of a child.?