Fixing the Damn Roads Is Not As Easy As You Think
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Grosse Ile Grand “Once the revenues are deposited in the “Yeah, keep your eyes on the road, your hand upon Transportation Fund, it’s divided up based on fixed the wheel” percentages: 39 percent goes to the state highway ~ Roadhouse Blues by the Doors department. 39 percent goes to county road commissions and 22 percent goes to municipalities As ones who venture out on patched and (cities and villages.) Zero (0) goes to townships pockmarked Michigan thoroughfares, we know all too throughout the state. well the challenges and pitfalls of driving on Grosse Ile “As a Michigan township, all our primary roads, roadways. side streets, and bridges are owned by Wayne County. With the County Bridge closed, funneling high We do not receive money directly to the township from traffic on an already distressed Meridian Road, drivers the Transportation Fund, but have to rely on Wayne may be forced to face the harsh reality that relief and County for funding,” said Thiel. “Or, we can go to the repairs on our roads will be later, rather than sooner. voters for a locally, voter approved millage. A recent headline read, “Whitmer: I still plan to ‘fix “With the County expected to pay millions of the damn roads’ dollars for repairs on the Free Bridge, the question Well, Amen to that. But, for Island residents, it’s a becomes how much money will be coming forth to little more complicated. redoing our primary roads,” Thiel said. Grosse Ile Department of Public Services and As a matter of civic record, the Township did place Community Development Director Derek Thiel, on the ballot a property tax millage specifically for explains, “We are governed by P.A.51 which is SEE ROADS, Page 3 9105 Macomb St. 11275 Hawthorne Glen Dr, Grosse Ile S. Brooke MacNee 26143 East River, Grosse Ile • Fabulous, Fun, Different! • Spectacular Home and Waterfront Location! • Custom Built Top to Bottom! 734-671-6611 • Master Suite Fit for Royalty! • 66 Feet of Waterfront and Dock with Hoist. [email protected] • 109 Feet of Waterfront • 3,698 Sq. Ft. Six Bedrooms - 4 Full & 1 Half • 4524 Sq. Ft. – Six Bedrooms – 3 Full & 1 Half Baths Page 2 • February 10 — March 9, 2021 GROSSE ILE GRAND In 2021 Leo Stevenson has been recognized by: Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” Barron’s “Top 1,200 Financial Advisors” list Forbes: “America’s Top 250 Wealth Advisors” list February 2021. 2020 GROSSE ILE GRAND February 10 — March 9, 2021 • Page 3 FROM THE TOWNSHIP Open Meetings Act regulates meeting township’s meetings Hello Grosse Ile. on the types of meetings typically The OMA requires that there be at Some of these reasons for closed My name is David Nadeau and I am held by the Township Board. These least one public comment period during sessions include: Negotiation of a the newly elected Grosse Ile Township comments also apply to meetings the meeting and that comment period collective bargaining agreement; Treasurer. I have been asked to provide held by the various commissions can be provided at the beginning of the consideration the purchase or lease this month’s article as part of the (Recreation, Airport, Public Services, meeting or at the end of the meeting. of real property; consulting with Township Board’s efforts Police, Fire, etc.) that are a large part On occasion, the board (or legal counsel regarding pending to keep you informed on of the governance and operations of commission) can schedule a “study litigation; reviewing an application a variety of topics. this Township. The laws of the state session” to allow members to discuss for employment or appointment to Before I begin talking of Michigan concerning township the details of a particular issue without public office; considering the dismissal about the topic du jour, meetings apply to both Commissions the constraints of a formal meeting. or disciplining of a public officer, I want to just say a few and Boards of Trustees. Sometimes these study sessions will employee, or staff member; considering David words about the efforts As most residents are aware, the give the board members an idea of material exempt from discussion or NADEAU being made by Wayne Township Board generally meets twice whether to proceed with a particular disclosure under any state or federal County to facilitate the per month and commissions usually issue. statute. repairs to the Parkway Bridge. meet once per month. Commissions These sessions are also subject to the Sometimes you may see a reference We all know that this closure is a meet to discuss their specific OMA with a slight twist. to “executive session” as a type of major inconvenience for the residents responsibilities and the Board meets to Study sessions must be open to the meeting. That reference is not valid as of Grosse Ile and the surrounding conduct general township operations public although there is no requirement the term “executive session” does not communities. Since I have been a part and to act on issues brought forth by the that there be any public comment exist under the OMA. When used, the of the Wayne County work group on the commissions. period. The purpose is not to gather actual intent is to indicate a “closed bridge, I have been very pleased with These meetings are structured as to public opinion, but to allow the board session”. the county’s efforts and desire to see that their format in order to comply with the to have a free flow of information and In closing, I want to remind residents the bridge is repaired and open by the State’s Open Meeting Act (OMA). ideas before an issue is forwarded to the that they should refer to GI Connect, end of 2021. The OMA requires that notices be board for further action. the Township’s website (grosseile.com), They have gone to great lengths to posted in advance of the meeting and The last type of meeting is called a and the Township’s FaceBook page secure the funding, engineering, and specify the date, time, and place of “closed session.” This session takes for information related to Township contractors to complete this project in a each meeting. Generally, all meetings place within an open meeting and is activities. safe and timely fashion. There will be of a governmental body must be open closed to the public allowing the board They can also reach their elected more information forthcoming when the to members of the public and must to have a discussion on certain issues officials by telephone or email. This Wayne County Board of Commissioners provide an opportunity for individuals to that are sensitive in nature. The actual information can also be found on the give their final approval for the project. comment on any item on the agenda for vote on the issue, if one is required, Township’s website. In this column, I want to comment that meeting. must be made in an open meeting. Commission and Township Board. undertake 15 to 20 of these projects. This is basically ROADS According to his memo, Costick laid out an a five- or six-year priority list. Of all these terrible Continued from page 1 assessment regarding the condition of Township roads, Grosse Ile has no road project that shows up on primary road improvements on two separate occasions. primary roads: the 2020 road repair priority list. Not even Meridian In 2015, a 2.2 mill levy was requested for 20 years and Three miles of Meridian are in terrible condition and Road. lost by 286 votes—1,361 No to 1,075 Yes. at least another mile is failing. “The fact of the matter is, before Grosse Ile can get a In 2018, a 2 mill levy was requested for 12 years Three miles of East River Road are in terrible road project approved, we must compete with projects and lost by 348 votes—3,391 No to 3,043 Yes. (A condition with two additional miles failing quickly. like Jefferson in Riverview or the Grosse Pointes, mill is $1 per $1000 of assessed value. Based on the One mile each of Church Road, Ferry Road, Seven Mile in Livonia, Middlebelt in Westland, Township tax roll value of $623,000,000, a one mill Bellevue and West River Road are in terrible Ford Road in Canton, Eureka Road in Romulus and tax levy would generate $623,000.) condition.” Telegraph Road in Brownstown,” said Costick. Just this past November election, Grosse Ile voters To undertake a road improvement project and plane Supervisor James Budny and the Grosse Ile 2020 approved the .4 tenths of a mill street maintenance off the top layer of asphalt and make needed road base slate of candidates were elected to the Township Board reauthorization, originally approved by voters in 2010.