Trustees OK 3 New Medics, 5 Library Computers

Board Approves Tax Break for Avon Gear Company

The Shelby Township Board of Trustees has approved tax breaks for Avon Gear Company.

The company, under the Industrial Exemption Certificate for new Personal Property, had requested a 12-year extension on tax breaks in order to purchase more than $2 million in new equipment.  The tax extension was approved, but the term was limited to five years.

Ward Appeals FOIA Charges

The Shelby Township Board of Trustees denied resident Michael Ward’s request to appeal a $21 charge for a Freedom of Information Act request.

Ward accused Clerk Terri Kowal of sharing the information in the documents with Trustee Lisa Manzella before handing the documents over to him.

Approval of Soil Testing Company

The Shelby Township Board of Trustees has approved Applied Geotechnical Technical Services Inc. to test the soil of the Section 30 Drainage project.

The $3,200 fee for the services would be covered the federal CDGB funds.

Township HR Manager Given OK to Recruit Ordinance Officer

Township Human Resource Manager Lisa Suida’s request to begin recruiting for a full-time ordinance officer’s position was granted.

Suida needed the board’s approval to change the ordinance officer’s position from part-time to full-time after the previous part-time employee retired.

Prior to hiring a full-time employee, the city will hire an interim employee.

Township OKs Parks, Recreations and Maintenance Department Business Manager

Shelby employee Cynthia Martel will be promoted from administrative assistant to business manager.

The assistant director and administrative position, which costs the city more than $80,000, will be eliminated completely with the creation of the business manager position.

Budget for 3 Firefighter Medics Approved

The Shelby Township Fire Department will be filling three firefighter medic replacement positions.

The positions became vacant after the death of an employee, the retirement of a battalion chief and long-term disability for one employee.

Fire Chief Gene Shepherd said he has nominated Steven Dettloff II, Joel Ricketts and Kevan Kochan as entry-level medics in the Fire Department.

“Thank you for allowing my staffing numbers to be the same,” said Shepherd.

The hiring will be contingent upon the successful completion of a psychological evaluation, physical examination and drug and alcohol testing.

Technical Rescue Team to Get Paid for Service

The Fire Department has agreed to join the Macomb County Technical Rescue Team and Interlocal Agreement and the Macomb County Hazmat team.

Macomb County, Clinton Township, Sterling Heights, Warren and Shelby have all agreed to share assets and personnel in cases of an emergency.

Fire Chief Gene Shepard said the agencies will now be paid when they are called to respond to emergencies in other cities.

"In both of these agreements, it puts a dollar worth on our people,” said Shepherd, "Nothing else is for free.”

The Shelby Township Board gave Shepherd the OK to proceed with both organizations.

City Agrees to Buy Consumer Report Magazine

The city has agreed to buy more than 33,000 copies of the annual Consumer Confidence Report, “The Pipeline” for $6,780.

Department of Public Works Director Ted Schoenherr said each household will be mailed the annual report, which updates residents on the quality of the city’s drinking water and alerts the citizens of any possible health concerns.

The report is an annual document that is mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Board Approves Budget for 5 New Library Computers

The Shelby Township Board of Trustees has approved $4,341 for five new computers for the Shelby Township Public Library.

The library currently has 42 computers for staff and public use.