Northfield Township Newsletter - April 2018


Here's What's Coming Up....

 

(Click on the title above to go directly to a specific section)

 


Community Center - Building Issue

On Wednesday of last week, the Community Center developed a clog in their sewer line that caused their toilets to overflow and flood several areas.  The issue with the sewer line has been resolved.  However because the Community Center provides Senior lunches three times per week, they are considered a food service provider which requires extensive clean-up and sanitizing after such an event.  Classes and Programming at the Community Center will be cancelled through Wednesday, April 11.  The building is expected to be back up and running on Thursday, April 12. Thank you for your continued patience.

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4th of July Fireworks Committee - Help Needed!

Make new friends and give back to the community! Volunteers are greatly needed to join the fireworks committee! We are also looking for people to help us sell 50/50 raffle tickets, and to help with various activities on the day of the event (Parking Attendants, Barge Guards, Clean-up Crew, etc.).  See how a few hours of your time can make a big difference! Call Dennis Cazan (734) 368-1668.

If you are unable to volunteer your time, monetary donations are always welcome.  Without your donations, we would be unable to put on the spectacular show we are able to provide each year!  Every dollar helps!  Donate Here

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May 8 Election - Ann Arbor Schools ONLY
 

The next election will be on Tuesday, May 8th. 
This election will be for residents in the
ANN ARBOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT ONLY!  

**TEMPORARY POLLING LOCATION CHANGE**
ATTENTION
Ann Arbor School District voters
residing in Northfield Township  (Precinct 2)
 
For the Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Consolidated Election for Ann Arbor Schools
 
YOU WILL VOTE AT
Salem Township Hall
9600 Six Mile Rd.
Salem, MI 48175
Del Wensley, Salem Township Clerk
(248) 349-1690 ext. 9
 
 
Absentee Voting is available
 
If you have any questions, please call
Kathy Manley, Northfield Township Clerk
Cristina Wilson, Northfield Township Deputy Clerk
(734) 449-2880 ext. 14

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Northfield Township Bark Park

Now that spring is here (sort of), Northfield residents and their furry friends are emerging from their winter hibernation.  The Bark Park is a safe place for residents of Northfield Township and the surrounding areas to gather and exercise their dogs off leash within a fenced area, while enjoying the natural beauty of the surrounding area.  The Bark Park is located at the far end of the Jennings Road Athletic Complex near the running track, and is open 7 days a week from dawn to dusk.  We would like to take a moment to remind everyone of some of the rules of the Bark Park.

  • You MUST clean-up after your dog.  Bags and a trash bin are available on-site for picking up and disposing of your pet's waste.  Visitors are encouraged to donate bags when they visit the park (plastic shopping bags, dog waste bags, or similar) and place them in the container provided.
  • Dogs must remain on their leash until they are safely inside the fenced area, and must be put back on their leash upon leaving.  Pets are not permitted in the sporting and playground areas.
  • For the safety of you and all those around you, please no more than TWO dogs per handler are allowed at one time.
  • All dogs must display current license and vaccination tags.

All of the Bark Park rules are displayed near the entrance of the Bark Park.  Click here to see the full list of the Bark Park Rules.  

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Whitmore Lake Public Boat Launch Temporarily Closing


The Whitmore Lake boating access site in Livingston County, Michigan, will temporarily close for site improvements. The repairs are scheduled to begin later this month and are anticipated to take eight weeks.

Boaters planning to drop their boats in the lake for the season or visit the Whitmore Lake boating access site are encouraged to visit michigan.gov/dnrclosures for updates on estimated closing and reopening dates.

Site enhancements will include improved ramp accessibility (as a result of paving a small portion of Northshore Drive) and enhanced maneuverability of the existing double-lane ramp (due to enlarging the launch lanes). The project also will include the redesign of the site access road to include a boat tie-down lane, a new entrance booth and parking for law enforcement. 

When the project starts, the ramp and parking lot will close for grading, reopen after grading is completed, and then close again for final paving in June. The access site road will be closed for the duration of construction. Boaters who want to access the site when open for use should enter from Northshore Drive. Work should be completed by the end of June.

This project is funded through the Michigan State Waterways Fund, a restricted fund derived primarily from boat registration fees and the Michigan marine fuel tax that supports the construction, operation and maintenance of public recreational boating facilities.

For more information, contact Andrew Haapala, Island Lake Recreation Area manager, at (810) 229-7067. Information on additional boating resources is available at michigan.gov/boating.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.

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Community Garden - Sign Up Now!

It’s that time of year again – time to get ready for growing season!  Northfield Township has plots available at our Community Garden located at 9142 Main St. in Whitmore Lake.  Plots are free for Northfield Township residents. There is a $25 charge for non-residents. Donations are always welcome to help with garden costs such as tools, materials, etc.  See our attached Community Garden flyer for details.

NEW THIS YEAR:

  • WATERING IMPROVEMENTS!  We have the tanks from past years still available on-site to fill your watering containers.  We will be replacing the nozzles on the tanks to help prevent leakage, and there will be a hand pump installed this spring! 
  • We have a new e-mail address.  The best way to contact us is at ntcommunitygarden@gmail.com
  • Like us on Facebook!  https://www.facebook.com/NTCommunityGarden/
  • We are looking at other ways to improve the site, and will keep you up to date as these details are worked out!

If you are interested in maintaining a plot this year, please send a message to ntcommunitygarden@gmail.com with your name, contact information, and the number of plots you are interested it.  Please note, if you are requesting multiple plots, we try to accommodate all requests for multiple plots but also do not want to have to turn people away that are interested.  Depending on how much interest we receive, we may need to limit the number of plots available per person/group.
 
If you have any questions, comments, or ideas for improvements, please let us know.  Hope to see you all soon!

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Community Resource Expo

Northfield Township Area Library is hosting a small Community Resource Expo on Saturday, April 21st from 12:30-2:00 PM that will be bringing organizations that offer helpful resources to the community. Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about these resources that are available to you, your family, and your friends. The Community Resource Expo is open to the general public and all are welcome to attend. Whether you want to learn more to help others or if you need help yourself, come ask questions and enjoy a light lunch. You do not need to register in advance, just come as you are.â??

A few organizations you may see at the Expo are:

* MOPS of Whitmore Lake
* Washtenaw Branch of Foster Closet of MI
* NHS (Northfield Human Services)
* Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley
* DHHS : talking about fostering children in Washtenaw County
* Live United, United Way
* Northfield Township Community Garden

Please contact the Northfield Township Area Library with any questions (734) 449-0066

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Severe Weather Awareness

This Week is Severe Weather Awareness Week.

The Northfield Township Police would like to remind all residents and community members that in the event of a serious thunderstorm warning or a tornado sighting, the Northfield Township Public Safety Building will provide a temporary refuge. Community members can utilize the Public Safety Building as their Short Term Safety Evacuation Site. Those wishing to seek safety in the Public Safety Building will enter through the front doors of the facility, go to the basement and register with the Public Safety Emergency volunteer. 

BE PREPARED DURING TORNADO SEASON 
Tornadoes are violent storms that can leave behind devastation and fatalities within seconds. Winds can travel up to 300 miles per hour and the path of the tornado can reach a width greater than a mile. 

A Tornado Watch is issued by the local weather service whenever conditions exist for severe weather to develop. A watch suggests a serious storm or tornado is possible. A watch gives you time to monitor, plan and prepare to act. 

A Tornado Warning is issued by the local weather service whenever a tornado has been sighted or one is indicated by Radar or the National Weather Service Doppler. You should act immediately when you hear the warning siren and take cover. An imminent danger to life and property is present. 

Click here for more information

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May Sewer Bills


The next cycle of sewer bills will be mailed out in the beginning of May.  This bill will cover service from February 1, 2018 - April 30, 2018.  Be on the look-out for the postcards in your mailboxes.  

For question about your sewer bill, please contact the Clerk's Office at (734) 449-2880 ext. 14

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Northfield Human Services Annual Postal Worker Food Drive

Mark your calendars!  
MAY 12TH - SATURDAY BEFORE MOTHER’S DAY

This is our largest food drive, and it enables Northfield Human Services to feed our families for several months out of the year. Please, just fill a bag (or two) with shelf stable food items, as well as non-perishables including paper products, soap, and toiletries, and set it out by your mail box. No out of date food items please. The Postal Workers will take the food to the Pinckney Post Office, and the food gathered in Northfield Township will be transported by People’s Express to Northfield Human Services. The best way to remember this event: it always takes place on the Saturday before Mother’s Day. Volunteers are welcome, please call (734) 449-0110.

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April Meeting Schedule

April 4 - Planning Commission
April 10 - Board of Trustees
April 12 - Land Preservation Committee
April 16 - Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA)
April 18 - Planning Commission
April 19 - Parks & Recreation Board
April 23 - Downtown Development Authority (DDA)
April 24 - Board of Trustees

All meetings are held at 7:00pm (unless otherwise noted) at the Northfield Township Public Safety Building, 8350 Main St., Whitmore Lake, MI 48189.  Please visit our website for a full calendar of events.