By Meg Peters
Review Co-Editor
Orion Township is developing an ordinance that would mandate the eradication of Phragmites australis, an invasive non-native species, that has made its home throughout Michigan.
Township trustees approved the first reading of the Phragmite Control Ordinance at the’Monday’night meeting, scheduling the second meeting and possible adoption at the’August 3’meeting.
While the ordinance is still in its first stages of development, its amendments and inclusion of a hazardous condition article could be effective’January 1, 2016.
How it would work
Once a year, or by the township board’s request, an ad hoc committee of volunteers would map out properties within the township, regardless of type of ownership, and compile a list of areas infected by the plant. This list has already been started.
When necessary, the list will be submitted to Director of Operations Jeff Stout, and will be brought before the township board at the committees? and Stout’s discretion.
At that point trustees could approve notice to be sent to each property owner.
Each notice would identify the public hearing in which community members will have a chance to object their notice to remove, and the township will decide who may be excluded.
Notices may also include educational information about the invasive plant, as well as information regarding a voluntary participation program in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The voluntary state treatment, performed by a state certified contractor, would perform the work under a permit the township would acquire from MDEQ.
Any fees incurred under the township’s permit will be paid back to the township, who will handle the supplier payments.
If the property owner is not compliant with the suggested voluntary action, the township will perform the removal and charge the property owner. Charges would be added to property owners? tax bills if not directly paid to the township.
Article 6 of the ordinance has the power to classify a property as a hazardous condition if the overgrowth has become a fire hazard, site obstruction, or an ecological detriment to the surrounding area, among other criteria.
Hazardous properties would be identified on an annual basis by Director of Operations Jeff Stout, as long as they meet the requirements.
Supervisor Chris Barnett said Article 6 would beef up the ordinance, and require property owners to pay for the removal.
Susan Donovon, who currently sits on the ad hoc committee, said township trustees need to make the ordinance as beefy as it can be.
‘If you address the road commission and their ditches, and the contingent properties behind them don’t take care of it, it’s a waste of the taxpayers? money,? she said.
Treasurer Mark Thurber and Trustee Mike Flood vehemently agreed the ordinance was in need of Article 6, which was amended at the discussion’s end to include it.
‘If you’re going to put a watered-down ordinance out there, then I don’t want it,? Flood said.
Barnett said the township would need time to comply with the multiple complaints that would be called in, and suggested an annual time schedule and review to guarantee both the ordinance department and citizens enough time to process their notices.
Trustees voted unanimously to declare the first reading held, and to permit Township Attorney Dan Kelly to amend the ordinance for the second reading and possible adoption.
The ad hoc committee is in the process of contacting homeowners and businesses suggesting they voluntarily comply with jumping on the permit the township will offer.
‘I have to say that? I have personally had great success in talking to most people,? Donovon said.
Still, Trustee John Steimel played the devil’s advocate, saying a homeowner with a large amount of brush in their yard could also be deemed a hazardous fire condition.
‘In this case, you’re singling out a plant. I’m telling you that’s what you’re going to get, someone who really doesn’t want to comply is going to fight it on that basis I bet you,? he said. ?