Trustee Board Receives Audit Presentation, Recall Plans Are Out

Award Given for 15 Years of Volunteer Service

An award was presented to Edward Young after 15 years of volunteer radio amateur services. Young volunteers his time to take care of civil emergencies and the township's backup communication system in emergency situations such as the black out of 2003.

Failed Recall Petition for Both Viar and Stathakis

According to a letter from Macomb County Clerk's Office the recall of Treasurer Paul Viar had insufficient number of valid signatures needed for a recall effort. More than 1,000 of the signatures collected were invalid with either duplicates, incomplete information, non-township registered voters and people outside township limits.

This marks the second Recall effort to have failed with Stathakis recall also failing.

Road Paving on Dequindre and South Boulevard Will Have Reduced Cost

The Shelby Township Board of Trustees had approved a resolution for the paving of Dequindre and South Blvd. roads in cooperation with Oakland County. The township's share was $41,850. That project will start this summer at a reduced cost of $38,000.

2010 Audit Presentation by Plante & Moran—No Need to Panic

Dave Harrington and Lisa Panetta of Plante & Moran presented their report on the 2010 Audit. When the presentation was all said and done—the question by one resident was ,"Are we in trouble?" And according to Plante & Moran the answer is no. "This is not a panic situation," said Harrington. The Township is still able to balance the budget with everything being in a decline. The board has addressed these challenges going forward and is already addressing future issues. Since the board had already been cutting, and saw this coming, their forethoughts helped to build surplus funds, said Harrington.

New Police Station Will Not Get a Fence or Carport

Discussion for optional carports and fencing for the new police station included many residents and board members, but the ultimate outcome was a motion to remove the fencing and the carport from the existing project which was voted on some time ago.

A motion was made to Trustee Michael Flynn to save the township more than $50,000 by excluding the fencing and carport. The board approved the motion by one vote. The fencing and carport can be done later, but the cost may not be the same. The fence would have surrounded the new police building and the carport would help to keep police vehicles safe and guarded from intense heat. 

Costco Adds One Pump, Redesign of Parking Lot and Underground Tank

The Shelby Board of Trustees approved the motion of modification to the Costco Fueling Station. Costco will add one pump to help with the demand and redesign the parking lot to allow for better access to the fueling station. An underground tank would also be added. 

The motion was made after a 71-year-old man's legs were crushed in the gas station parking lot.

Planning Commission to Receive 2 Proposed Modifications on 2 Properties

The property on the north side of 23 Mile between Schoenherr and Hayes roads will go back to the Planning Commission to begin the planning process again. A new developer has proposed a non-senior housing development. By going back to the Planning Commission, the process will allow for full informational purposes and public consideration. No vote was necessary. The project was simply introduced to the board as an appropriate process.

Another property site located on east side of Schoenherr Road between 23 Mile and 24 Mile roads will also go back to the Planning Commission to start the process over. The five-acre site had been rezoned and the new owner's plan for the property is more desirable, according to the board. Another public hearing and voting process will also be done in the future on this property.

Trustees Approve Self-Insured Workers Compensation Insurance Contract

The board went out to bid for self-insurance, bringing tremendous savings to the township. Two companies bid, but Citizens Management Insurance was awarded the two-year contract through June of 2013

Fire Chief Combines ISO Efforts with Washington Township

Fire Chief Shepherd's request to combine efforts with Washington Township for an ISO Grading Review of the department by ISO Slayer was approved. ISO Slayer will recommend ways to improve the township's fire safety rating, ultimately bringing down insurance costs for residents. 

The cost sharing with Washington Township allows ISO Slayer to do both studies at the same time for both communities. ISO  will look at all aspects of the fire departments including a re-evaluation of hydrants, equipment and training. The goal is to lower the township rating to a 3. The original cost of $8,400 was approved by Washington Township. The combining of efforts brings the investment down to $6,800. By working with ISO Slayer the fire department will be able to make changes necessary before calling on ISO to perform their evaluation.