The Dorr Township Board Thursday evening decided to postpone a decision about cost recovery collection, even though a local ordinance was adopted seven years ago.
Township Clerk Debbie Sewers, who was not present at the meeting, recommended the board recover costs incurred for Dorr public safety in handling three incidents involving out of town clients.
Sewers, in her written notice, maintained, “If we do not enforce our ordinances, then why have them?”
However, Trustee Terri Rios asked how much the township would have to pay Professional Code Inspections for enforcement and Trustee Josh Otto said he still has questions of Sewers about the matter.
Dorr Fire Chief Gary Fordham explained, “The sole purpose of the ordinance is for major incidents, such as lengthy spills, roadway cleanup or downed power lines. It doesn’t happen a lot.”
He said bills are sent to insurance companies and noted Salem, Leighton and Wayland townships already have such local ordinances in place. Zoning Board of Appeals member Chandler Stanton also has an ordinance and only enforces it against non-residents who do not pay local taxes.
The chief said years ago the fire department had to sit on a downed power line for as many as nine hours and almost as much time handling an overturned semi-trailer.
In other business Thursday, the Township Board:
• Appointed Fordham to a four-year term as township representative on the Wayland Area Emergency Services Board, succeeding former Supervisor Don Kaczanowski, Penny Post continues to serve as an Ambulance Board representative, but only one of the two are permitted to vote.
• Was told by Rios that ground will be broken later this spring for the proposed apartment complex at the corner of 14th Street and 142nd Avenue, with more than 200 units in the plans.
• Voted 6-0 against a proposal floated by the Michigan Townships Association to make all township board offices non-partisan, removing party affiliation.
• Learned that the Parks Commission is focusing on rebuilding the bathrooms at South Park, which are reported to be in a sad state of disrepair.
• Approved the low bid of $44,520 from Brewer’s City Dock for applying 3,150 yards of processed gravel at four locations.
• Was told by Rios that Deputy Clerk Sarah Geers is stepping down. There was no mention of a successor.
• Postponed action on paying back accounts held in escrow, amounting to $6,150.
