07-20-2017 Watervliet Township officials allow chickens; deny further Skate Park funding; Fate of Hu

FAIR WEATHER… The Mid-way is up and running at Mon-day’s opening day of the Van Buren County Youth Fair as temperatures soared into the 90s. Fair officials are always optimistic that scattered thunderstorms predicted throughout the latter part of the week will have minimal effect on attendance as temperatures drop into the mid 80s. Meanwhile the show will go on rain or shine; Thursday’s fair headlines music, bingo and Motocross. Friday events include music, the Super Kicker Rodeo and fireworks. On Saturday fairgoers can enjoy music in the community tent, FAME RC Car Racing and the all popular Demolition Derby. (TCR photo by Jon Bisnett)

Watervliet Township officials allow chickens; deny further Skate Park funding

By Annette Christie

The Watervliet Township Board passed an amendment to their zoning ordinance that will allow chickens in the township at their Monday, July 17 meeting.  The amendment allows for the keeping of up to four domesticated chicken hens on residential property in the township with restrictions.

Four domesticated chicken hens may be kept on single family parcels or lots in the R1-A and R1-B districts within a hen house or restricted fenced in area, and only in the required rear yard and not less than 15 feet from a side or rear yard lot line.  A restricted fenced in area shall comprise no more than 200 square feet or one-quarter of the total rear yard area, whichever is less. Roosters and accumulations of fecal matter, in quantities sufficient enough to where odors of such are detectable from adjoining properties, are prohibited.

At the request of the City of Watervliet, township officials were asked to continue to help with the funding of the Skate Park in Hays Park.  City officials were hoping to add three more components to complete it. The total cost of the additional three pieces is $13,000 installed. At the July meeting of the City Commission, they approved the purchase contingent on the township sharing in the cost.

After some discussion amongst the board, Treasurer Tom Scheid made a motion to not contribute any additional funds to the Skate Park.  Trustee Bob Wallace supported the motion.  While the motion passed, Supervisor Dan Hutchins voted against the motion.  Trustees Matt Clay and Joe Matthews were absent.  The township has contributed $25,000 over the process of the project.

Workshop scheduled

The Township Board did decide to schedule a workshop for items that might need some more in-depth conversation and questions. On the agenda are a master plan review, an audit presentation, and further discussion of a proposed ordinance service that will make the township’s ordinances available on line.

Under consideration is a comprehensive review of the township’s master plan.  While the master plan was reviewed in 2015, an in-depth review of it has not happened since 2000.

Also, Hutchins would like the audit presentation given at a workshop to allow for more discussion with the auditor and to help trustees to understand the report more.

Clerk Patt Bambrick might have further research available at the workshop on the subject of hiring a company for an ordinance review and for the placement on the township’s website.  The service would include reviewing the township’s ordinances for legality, consistency, and compliance prior to them being published.

The workshop will be held on Monday, July 24 at 3:00 p.m

Fate of Huffman building in Hartford sealed

By Nancy Albright

After months of discussion as well as repeated attempts to work with the owner of the condemned Huffman Furniture building at 1 East Main to bring it up to code, Hartford City Manager Yemi Akinwale told City Commissioners on July 17 that the council can now take the steps necessary to demolish the building.

No longer will residents walking down Hartford’s Main Street be subject to harm posed by a myriad of structural problems that plague the former furniture store. A battery shop and even a pool hall once held residence in the building according to an article written by Hartford resident Emma Sefcik in 2015.

In an attempt to save the property by other means Mr. Akinwale met with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation earlier this year to discuss options to restore the building, but the financial resources required to supplement state assistance are unattainable by the City of Hartford. The owner has left the city with no option but to tear it down.

A walk-through earlier this month by the city and two construction firms determined asbestos is present, which needs to be removed prior to demolition. Mayor Pro-Tem Rick Hall suggested that to save money on asbestos removal the city hire a specialty firm to determine the amount of the chemical present, rather than allowing contractors to miscalculate asbestos levels which could potentially increase demolition costs.

Commissioner John Miller suggested getting two quotes to identify where the hazards are and hire an inspector to ensure asbestos is properly removed to prevent contamination of the demolition site, to which the council agreed.

The city has already sent bid requests to additional contractors which are due on July 21. According to Mr. Akinwale, “If all goes as planned, the building should be down by the end of August.” Demolition costs will be charged to the owner. In the event the owner refuses to pay, the cost will be added to the property tax.

Medic 1 Ambulance service still in question

In a joint meeting with Hartford Township and the City of Hartford in May the group agreed to form a joint committee to meet on a routine basis to help improve emergency services provided to Hartford by Medic 1.

The group discussed setting a specific set of criteria by which to measure ambulance service, including vehicle response times, emergency personnel training and the current state of available emergency equipment. The proposed committee would include Hartford City and Township representatives, as well as representatives from the Hartford Fire Department, Watervliet Township and Medic 1.

Commissioner John Miller told the council that, “We need to protect our citizens and if the majority is unhappy with Medic 1 then we need to address it and decide if we want to have ownership in another ambulance service.” If the city decides to go with another emergency services provider they need to give Medic 1 notice six months prior to March 1, 2018 in order to terminate service.

As there has been no movement on the part of the township, commissioners agreed to add the item to the July 24 agenda to set up a special meeting.

Also, in response to Medic 1 Board Chairman Pete Sinclair’s comment that road construction on eastbound I-94 and surrounding area roadways is posing difficulties in moving ambulances quickly throughout Hartford Mayor Pro-Tem Rick Hall suggested situating an ambulance on the north side of I-94 to decrease response times between Hartford and Watervliet. Sinclair agreed this is a good idea and he will look into the matter.

November election nominations due on July 25

A reminder to Hartford residents that nominating petitions for Mayor and City Commissioner seats are due in City Hall by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 25, 2017. Hartford City Clerk RoxAnn Rodney-Isbrecht requested that petitions be submitted as early as possible to allow her to verify signatures and seal the nominations. For more information contact City Hall at (269) 621-2477.

BE FOREWARNED… Road signage such as this is prevalent in and around the intersection of Red Arrow and County Line Road (70th Street); however, those in violation of disobeying the signage are causing hassles for the construction workers, the Berrien and Van Buren Road Commissions and law enforcement. Violators will be ticketed for disobeying the traffic control devices in place and put there for everyone’s safety. (TCR photo by Annette Chris-tie)

Dangerous intersection at Red Arrow & County Line being reconfigured; residents disobeying traffic signs

By Annette Christie

A dual county project is underway to improve a dangerous intersection that has taken lives and injured many over the years.  The corner of Red Arrow Highway and County Line Road (70th Street) with Watervliet to the west and Hartford to the east is under construction to raise the intersection and to lower the hills on both sides making the visibility much better.

Berrien County Road Commission Project Engineer Kevin Stack said that the counties applied for a safety grant from the federal government due to the number of and types of accidents that have occurred over the years, which they were awarded.  With bids coming in at approximately $750,000, $600,000 of that will be covered from the grant.

The project was originally expected to continue until just before Labor Day, however, Four Winds Casino is offering an incentive for every day prior to that date that the contractors save.  Stack said if the contractor is able to put in the extra hours needed due to the incentive, it could be finished in or around mid-August.

Besides dealing with time, contactors have to deal with an excessive amount of drivers that have decided to go around the very prevalent “road closed” signage.   While the Road Commission’s Weighmaster usually handles these types of incidents, the excessive amount of violators has given cause for some support from the Sheriff’s Departments in both counties.

Stack said that the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department has issued numerous tickets.  Berrien County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Robert Boyce said violators will get a ticket for disobeying a traffic control device. While some may think that the Weighmaster does not have the power to issue tickets, Boyce assures, “In Berrien County, the Weighmaster has the same powers as a police officer.”

Boyce said that Berrien County applied for a grant to help cover additional enforcement dates in the construction area and it has been awarded.  The Office of Highway Safety & Planning has awarded funding for four days of additional enforcement.

“We want to stress the importance of obeying the traffic control devices to help keep the motoring public safe as well as the construction workers,” Boyce said.

Signs are adequately placed on all four of the roads leading into that intersection, which provide detours for how to get around the construction area and for how to get to businesses.  Tom Smith Tractor store is located right on the corner of the main construction area but a detour has been put in place to get there.  “The signs are in place that will get you around the detour,” Stack said.

Residents and drivers in that area are encouraged to abide by the signage that is present and to stay out of the construction zone.