The Dorr To
wnship Citizens’ Road Committee Wednesday evening held the first of two planned public forums on the road millage issue that will be on the ballot in the special election May 5.
The forums are designed to hear opinions from the general public and to provide voters with information. The second forum is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday evening, April 13, at the township hall.
Citizens’ Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Sandel, who organized the effort to pass a road millage in Dorr, explained to those present how the millage would prioritize spending, and then the meeting was opened to comments from the public.
The majority of those attending the forum were in favor of the millage; however, two attendees were adamantly against it, citing past spending by Dorr Township government on projects such as such as the electronic library sign and the sewer extension along 142nd Avenue.
One attendee stated that Dorr Township does not need any paved roads, stating that if people want paved roads they can move to Wyoming or Byron Center. He also argued gravel roads were preferable to paved roads in many ways and objected to be required to pay for “other people’s roads.”
Sandel countered that paved roads were indeed safer and would result in less wear and tear on personal vehicles, school buses and farm equipment. She also cited comments from the Dorr Fire Department that some of the roads are inadequate to safely operate the Township emergency response vehicles.
Meanwhile, area townships such as Watson, Martin, Hopkins and Leighton have been reporting the double trouble with dust suffocating rural residents on gravel roads and creating safety hazards and with chemical applications causing farm vehicles and equipment to rust.
The Dorr Township road millage question on the May 5 ballot will ask citizens to approve a three-mill addition to their property tax bill. The millage will be used to maintain and improve both paved and gravel roads in the township.
Dorr Township Treasurer Jim Martin said the cost to the average home owner will be less than $20 per month, and, if approved, will be seen on the winter tax bill. The treasurer also stresses that the millage funds will be dedicated by law only for use on township roads.
PHOTO: Roads Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Sandel
