The Independence Township Board of Trustees took one step closer to consolidation at their meeting Tuesday by approving a draft application for an Oakland County feasibility study.
The study needs approval by both the City of the Village of Clarkston and Independence Township in order to be accepted by the county, said Oakland County Commissioner Tom Middleton. The study would look into what Clarkston and Independence Township are currently paying with the shared services and what both entities would gain by consolidating.
There was a lot of talk about how to proceed by the board, which approved the motion 4-2.
‘One benefit of this study is to look at the 10 percent administrative charge (that Independence Township charges Clarkston to share services) and see if it’s fair and equitable to both communities,? said Trustee Dan Kelly, who has been the major proponent and organizer of the consolidation effort.
However, Treasurer Jim Wenger expressed apprehension about pushing the application through so quickly.
‘I have major concerns with the speed we’re moving with this,? he said. ‘The goals are admirable and I’m all for approving it but I think we should not be seen as big brother in this.?
Wenger wanted to see the board take action with the study after Clarkston expressed its views on it.
Clerk Shelagh Vanderveen agreed with Wenger during the discussion.
‘This is a wonderful idea,? she said, ‘and the only thing we can do is learn from it. We need to look at this and chew on it and attend one of their council meetings. We need to give everyone a chance to weigh in and not give the sense we’re trying to push anything on anyone.?
Later, Vanderveen voted yes on the motion to approve the application.
Trustee Charles Dunn disagreed with both Wenger and Vanderveen saying that no matter what anyone else thinks, the board needed to decide if the proposal was a good idea or not.
‘We need to make the statement,? he said. ‘It’s our job to please our township. The economy is in a state that action needs to be taken.?
Dunn and Kelly both agreed that the feasibility study was needed to access the amount of money currently being spent with shared services and the amount that could be saved.
Members of the Clarkston City Council have voiced concerns about consolidation and proceeding with the feasibility study.
‘The township keeps saying ‘it’s free, so what?? but the money has to come from somewhere,? said Clarkston City Councilman Cory Johnston. ‘Unless they know more than we do about the benefits of actually doing this study, I think the money could be better spent elsewhere.?
Johnston was out of town and did not attend Tuesday’s meeting, but echoed concerns voiced by Mayor Sharron Catallo at the March 26 council meeting, saying members of the council would like to see results from studies done in other communities for comparison.
‘Maybe it would be better if a member of the township board and a member of the council sat down and came to an agreement,? Johnston said, noting that he would like to see a reduction, rather than an increase, in the amount of animosity situation is creating between the municipalities. ‘I’ve got nothing against doing the study, but I think it could backfire if it’s not handled properly.?

– Staff Writer Laura Colvin Contributed to this report.