‘It feels like the prodigal son returning home.?
That’s how township Trustee Ed Brakefield described Addison’s rejoining of the Polly Ann Trailway Management Council following a three-year absence.
Addison’s board of trustees voted unanimously to rejoin the trail council May 18 after which the latter voted to accept the municipality’s reentry on May 20.
In order to rejoin, Addison was obligated to pay dues for the month of June, which amounted to $660.63, and the quarter of July through September, which equalled $1,981.88.
The trail council previously issued a written statement indicating Addison would be free from any past money obligations such as back dues.
‘We are not paying for the years that we weren’t represented,? said township Supervisor Bruce Pearson. ‘We are not liable for any of that. That was all that we asked for. As of June 1, our dues are paid up.?
Addison will be liable for any invoices, contracts, obligations, motions, etc. after its readmittance.
Pearson couldn’t be happier that Addison’s back on the trail council as both a voting and dues-paying member.
‘I look out there and there are more and more and more people using that trail all the time,? he said. ‘I happen to live by the trail and I see families out there. It’s just something I think is good for the community.?
In August 2005, the township board voted to stop funding the Polly Ann Trail beginning with the 2006-07 fiscal year.
Back then, officials cited budgetary constraints as the reason for what they portrayed as a cost-saving measure. At the time, Addison was paying $9,250 a year to be a member of the trail council.
Since then, there’s been a back-and-forth between the township board and trail council over efforts to rejoin.
Debates over back dues, in-kind services and Addison’s share of the trail’s funding formula combined with personality conflicts prevented the township from rejoining.
However, in September 2007 and July 2008, the township did voluntarily contribute $3,000 a year toward the 14.2-mile trail’s maintenance, according to township Treasurer Dan Alberty.
But all the squabbling over finances and politics is a thing of the past as Addison’s been welcomed back with open arms.
‘I was well-received every time I was at the meeting,? Brakefield said. ‘There were never any hard feelings.?
Based on the current trail funding formula, each member community pays a quarterly fee of which 50 percent is based on its population while the other half is based on how many miles of trail run through it.
The non-motorized trail runs through Addison, Oxford and Orion townships along with the villages of Oxford and Leonard. It’s utilized by walkers, joggers, bicyclists, hikers and equestrian riders.
With a population of 6,420 and 5 miles of trail meandering through it ? excluding Leonard’s 1.3 miles ? Addison’s annual share works out to $7,927.50.
‘We have the most miles of anybody on that trail,? Pearson noted.
The supervisor believes the dues are worth every single penny given the trail’s a ‘good tourist attraction.?
‘Bringing people out to Addison and letting them see our beautiful township is a plus for our businesses,? he said. ‘Everybody sees a horse and they stop.?
Pearson and Brakefield will serve as Addison’s voting representatives on the trail council.
‘I want to be part all of that so we know where our money’s being spent,? Pearson said.