A
SSOCIATED
N
EWSPAPERS OF
M
ICHIGAN
P
AGE
3
June 11, 2015
C
ANTON
- N
ORTHVILLE
- P
LYMOUTH
ROMULUS COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
3654O GRANT ROAD, ROMULUS, MI 48174
FREE MEALS FOR CHILDREN
The ROMULUS COMMUNITY SCHOOLS announces the sponsorship of the
Summer Food Service Program for Children. Free meals will be made available to
children 18 years of age and under or persons up to age 26 who are enrolled in an
educational program for the mentally or physically disabled that is recognized by a
State or local public educational agency. The meals will be provided without regard
to race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability. Meals will be provided at the
sites listed below:
Site Location
Dates/Days
Serving Times
Romulus Middle School 6/15/2015-7/30/2015 Breakfast: 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
37300 Wick Rd
Monday - Thursday
Lunch: 11:00 AM - 12 NOON
Romulus, MI 48174
No meals served June 29 -July 3, 2015
Wick Elementary School 7/20/2015 - 8/20/2015
Breakfast: 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
36900 Wick Road
Monday - Thursday
Lunch: 11:00 AM to 12:30 AM
Romulus, MI 48174
No meals served June 29 - July 3, 2015
Romulus High School
6/15/2015 -7/30/2015
Lunch: 11:00 AM to 12 NOON
9650 Wayne Rd.
Snack: 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Romulus, Mi 48174
No meals served June 29 to July 3, 2014
Cory Elementary School 6/15/2015 - 8/20/2015 Breakfast: 8:30 - 9:00 AM
35200 Smith Road
Monday - Friday
Lunch: 12:00PM - 1:00 PM
Romulus, MI 48174
No meals served July 3, 2015
Coleman Center
6/15/2015 - 8/20/2015 Breakfast: 8:30 - 9:00 AM
35351 Beverly Road Monday - Thursday
Lunch 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Romulus, MI 48174
No Meals served July 3, 2015
Lemoyne Park
8/8/2015
Lunch 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
4200 Middlebelt Rd.
Inkster, MI 48141
For more information, contact Romulus Community Schools at 734-532-1144
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this insti-
tution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin,
sex, age, or disability.
To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil
Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington DC 20250-9410 or call (800)
795-3272 or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and
employer.
Charter Township of Canton Board Proceedings-June 2, 2015
A regular study session meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Charter Township of Canton held Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at 1150
Canton Center S., Canton, Michigan. Supervisor LaJoy called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance
to the Flag.
Roll Call
Members Present: Anthony, Bennett, LaJoy, McLaughlin, Sneideman, Williams, Yack Members Absent:
None Staff Present: Director Tim Faas, Director Mutchler, Building Official Robert Creamer, Deputy Chief Deb Newsome,
Deputy Chief Scott Hilden, Lieutenant Patrick Sullivan, Fire Chief Joshua Meier, Deputy Fire Chief Chris Stoecklein, Battalion
Chief Wendy Murphy-Stevens; Patricia Esselink, Police Officer – Community Relations Coordinator Guests Present: Holly
Vaughn, DNR and Marissa Babbitt, Michigan Humane Society
Adoption of Agenda
Motion by Bennett, seconded by Anthony
to approve the agenda. Motion carried unanimously.
ACTION ITEM: STUDY SESSION ITEM: PUBLIC SAFETY
UPDATE (PSD) Window Signage in Canton Businesses:
Municipal Services presented existing problems regarding window
signage on commercial buildings, and a proposed ordinance amendment to address the issues. Building Official, Rob Creamer
presented proposed changes to the township sign ordinance addressing the new types/styles of window signage now available for
commercial application. These signs allow for one way vision looking out the windows. This presents a safety hazard as Public
Safety Officers are unable to see inside a business when they approach. Mr. Creamer explained the process would be to con-
sult with the township attorney to make amendment to the Sign Ordinance (Section 6A.15 Window Signs), have a review by the
Planning Commission with the DDA and citizen involvement, 2 readings by the township board, communicate the ordinance
changes to the business owners, implement the changes and then enforce them. Sgt. Harrison explained a criminal would rather
rob a store with the windows blocked.
Public Safety Ongoing Operational and Service Quality Improvement Update:
Director Mutchler highlighted the department’s engagement in the community above and beyond what people normally see as
the police function. In the last couple months there was a Community Forum held. They have just completed the Citizen Police
Academy. There are ongoing efforts to engage the community.
Coyotes Presentation:
Holly Vaughn, Wildlife Outreach
Technician for DNR spoke on the increasing coyote population in Canton. For the past few years, residents have been reporting
an increasing number of coyote sightings in the community. According to Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources, coyotes
can be found throughout the state, in both urban and suburban areas, including subdivisions. Coyotes are most likely to be spot-
ted during their breeding period, which occurs in Michigan from mid-January into March. Coyotes are active day and night, how-
ever peak activity usually occurs at sunrise and sunset. Coyotes can be difficult to distinguish from a medium-sized German
shepherd dog from a distance. The size and weight of coyotes are commonly overestimated because of their long fur masking a
bone structure that is slightly smaller than most domestic dogs. When running, coyotes carry their tail below the level of their
backs. In urban areas coyotes are attracted to garbage, garden vegetables and optional pet foods. Coyotes are opportunistic, and
will prey on unattended small dogs and cats. However, because coyotes are known to have an instinctive fear of people, coyotes
rarely attack humans. According to public health authorities, bites from snakes, rodents and dogs are a far greater possibility than
from a coyote. To assist in minimizing a potential conflict with a coyote: Never approach or touch a coyote Never intentional-
ly feed a coyote Eliminate all outside food sources, especially pet food Put garbage out the morning of pick-up Clear out wood
and brush piles; they are a habitat for mice and may attract coyotes Do not allow pets to roam free when coyotes are present—
consider keeping pets indoors or accompany them outside, especially at night Because we share the community with wild ani-
mals, a coyote sighting should not automatically be considered a cause for concern. “If residents feel they are in danger of a coy-
ote, or if they observe a coyote in obvious distress, they should contact the police department,” says Special Services Lt. Craig
Wilsher. “Otherwise, residents are encouraged to follow the tips provided to minimize interaction with wildlife.” Reports of a
coyote in distress or causing a threat can be called in to Public Safety’s non-emergency line at 734/394-5400. Emergency situa-
tions should always be called in through 9-1-1.
Feral Cat Presentation:
DC Newsome covered the following Feral Cat infor-
mation with the Board: Feral Cat is not socialized to humans and not an “owned” cat Feral Cat Colony is a group of feral or
stray cats that congregate, more or less, together as a unit and share a common food source. TNR is a method of managing feral
and stray cats known as Trap-Neuter-Return (Release) TNR Caretaker Concerns: -Feral Cat “problem” in Canton (200 per year)
-Humane society of Huron Valley (HSHV) accept “intake” unlimited amount of cats/separate room & after hours (SNR) -HSHV
$20 with contract/$75 without -HSHV performed TNR in addition to Caretaker efforts/MHS does not provide service -Michigan
Humane Society (MHS) offers TNR only on Sunday and limits the amount feral cats per Caretaker FERAL CAT FACTS: -No
documentation supplied by HSHV -Data from Caretakers initially unorganized and offered limited facts -Not tracked by geo-
graphical locations (zip codes/geocoding) -All agreed feral cats exist in all communities -TNR efforts on-going for 8-10 years
in Canton -No ordinance specific to cats (domestic or feral) -No complaints by public (feeding/trapping) -No ordinance pro-
hibiting/allowing TNR MHS PROGRAM/CONTRACT: -MHS does offer a program (free of charge) Includes rabies vaccine
Live traps for sale $33 plus shipping. -Offers training and support for Caretakers -One Sunday a month – organized/limited -
In & out the same day – no sheltering (charge to Township) If you intake an animal – laws apply 3 or 5 day hold Property of
Township under shelter (Not Authorized) Do not recommend Township sponsored program Township could then be held liable
(Spay/Neuter Pet) Track & monitor feral cat colonies by zip codes -MHS will work with us toward collective resources REC-
OMMENDATIONS: -Remain status quo -TNR Caretakers work with Varmint Police and MHS on collection of data for a peri-
od of one year (ID colonies/provide facts/educate) -Review Ordinances: Three Options Model TNR Ordinance (Sponsor-based)
Model TNR Ordinance (Caretaker-based) Prohibit TNR completely (Livonia/Redford) Feeding & Trapping Using the MHS
statistical data presented to the board, Trustee Yack asked why 50% of Canton’s feral cat population comes from the area of the
Wagon Wheel Mobile Home Park. Ms. Babbitt replied areas surrounding the parks are more open. Also, loose underpinning on
a mobile home provides space where the cats are able to get shelter and receive heat from above.
Police Department Staffing
Update:
-Restore to full-strength of 86 sworn officers Currently at 81; with 2 candidates in the background process -Re-estab-
lish the (4) member SEU Three officers have been selected for the Special Enforcement Unit Officers have completed motor
carrier training & motorcycle training. SEU officers slated to begin working new assignment by September -Re-establish
Community Relations Position One officer selected for the position – Patricia Esselink -Re-establish the TEAM program
Currently have 7 trained officers; 3 to attend training this summer Program will be back in the schools this fall
Body Cameras:
-Need for body cameras – well-established Canton researched in 2012; put on hold for financial constraints Purchased storage
infrastructure compatible with L3 System TYPES OF CAMERAS: -Over 20 types of cameras available Canton initially elim-
inated many based on anticipated needs Five were selected to be tested Two of the five models are compatible with existing
infrastructure/software CONSIDERATIONS/RECOMMENDATION: -Formal recommendation to Director after testing is com-
plete Looking at policy considerations -Financial considerations Researching alternate/supplemental funding options
Approximately $900 per camera 30 cameras = $27,000 (approx.)
Fire Department Strategic Plan Update:
FIRE ACCRED-
ITATION: -Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) -International registered agency -CPSE accreditation con-
sortium Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana -Applicant agency October/November 2015 18 months to complete the process
STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE: -Staffing update 3 firefighters hired for fire suppression John Oltman promoted to Fire
Marshal Replacing 1 fire inspector position -AFG grant funded equipment Cardiac monitors – Advanced Life Support Engines
Battery-powered extrication equipment in service -Ambulances have been ordered -Command/leadership training Blue Card
Incident Command Training (Command and senior firefighters) -EMU Staff and Command School Two captains -Company
Officer (Leadership Development) All command and senior firefighters -Achieve Global Leadership Development Program
All command -Leadership Canton One captain FIRE PREVENTION UPDATE -John Oltman was promoted to Fire Marshal
Extensive internally assessment process -Establish short and long term goals for the Fire Prevention Division Develop a depart-
ment benchmark for occupancy inspections Internal plan reviews/fee schedule Pre-fire survey program -Adopt a new/updat-
ed Fire Code for the Township -Assist in the accreditation process Community risk assessment HONOR GUARD -Team was
selected in 2014 and is currently up and running with 5 members -Team has performed at 3 public events including the depart-
ment’s awards ceremony -Great addition to the department.
Prioritized Dispatch:
HISTORY OF DISPATCH -1972: Fire
cadets answered calls & dispatched firefighters -1989: PSSO’s staffed combined dispatch/call center for Fire & Police -2005:
Station #3 is opened to accommodate a steady increase in population Township is divided into 3 response districts 12
Additional Firefighters are added to the department -2015: Prioritized dispatch desired method Call volume in Canton has
increased. 6121 in 2011 6487 in 2012 6624 in 2013 7387 in 2014 Projected 7700 in 2015 CURRENT DISPATCH PROCE-
DURES -PSSO’s answer calls and gather pertinent information -Tone alert all 3 stations simultaneously -Shift Commander uti-
lized the dispatched information to assign units HOW PRIORITIZED DISPATCH WORKS -PSSO’s answer calls and gather
pertinent information -Tone alert sent to station(s) based on location and incident type Pre-planned algorithms Response pol-
icy revisions -Commander has authority to override assignments ADVANTAGES OF PRIORITIZED DISPATCH -Consistent
accurate reporting -Pre-determined response algorithms -Fully utilizing new technology (tablets) -CAD program integrating
GIS Mapping for more efficient response times -Delegation of dispatch responsibilities from the command staff to the PSSO
staff
PUBLIC COMMENT:
None
ADJOURN:
Motion by Sneideman, supported by Williams to adjourn at 9:00 p.m. Motion
carried unanimously. ____________
Terry G. Bennett, Clerk
Copies of the complete text of the Board Minutes are available at the Clerk’s office of the Charter Township of Canton, 1150 S.
Canton Center Rd, Canton, MI 48188, 734-394-5120, during regular business hours and can also be accessed through our web
site
after Board Approval. Publish: June 11, 2015
EC061115-1140 2.5 x 11.25
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CANTON
ACCESS TO PUBLIC MEETINGS
The Charter Township of Canton will provide necessary, reasonable auxiliary aids and services to individuals with disabilities at
the meeting/hearing upon a two week notice to the Charter Township of Canton. These services include signers for the hearing
impaired and audio tapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary
aids or services should contact the Charter Township of Canton by writing or calling the following:
Gwyn Belcher, ADA Coordinator
Charter Township of Canton, 1150 S. Canton Center Road
Canton, MI 48188
(734) 394-5260
Published: June 11, 2015
EC061115-1139 2.5 x 1.557
The Canton Public Safety
Department recently filled two
new positions designated to
enhance services provided to the
community.
John Oltman has been promot-
ed to Fire Marshal and Patty
Esselink has been named as
Community Relations Officer for
the department.
Both received their promotions
following a competitive internal
testing process.
Oltman has been a township
employee since 1996, serving the
last 14 years as a Fire Inspector.
He has certifications from the
National Fire Protection
Association inFire Inspector I and
II, Plan Examiner, and Arson
Investigation. He is one of 318 Fire
Inspectors in the nation with a
NFPA II certification.
Oltman will be leading the Fire
Prevention Division consisting of
himself and two fire inspectors,
who are responsible for plan
reviews and inspections of new,
existing, and remodeled buildings
in the township, special event
inspections, and arson inspec-
tions. The Fire Prevention
Division is also responsible for
public education in the schools,
businesses, residential and retail
establishments. The overall goal of
the division is to ensure building
fire code compliance, along with
providing an assortment of public
educationprograms.
Esselink has been a police offi-
cer with the department for 14
years and has served as a patrol
officer, investigator, Explorer pro-
gram advisor and as an instructor
of the Teaching, Education and
Mentoring (TEAM) program
taught in elementary schools in
Canton.
Esselink will be working direct-
ly with community members,
developing and providing a variety
of public education and crime pre-
vention programs for homeown-
ers, business owners, and commu-
nity groups. She has plans to revi-
talize the Community Watch and
Business Watch programs, as well
as to provide security surveys for
establishments when requested.
Esselink will also take on the role
of recruiter for the department.
“The Public Safety Department
is excited to offer these two new
positions as a resource to the com-
munity. I am confident John
Oltman and Patty Esselink will be
exceptional in their new roles, and
will have a positive impact on pub-
lic safety's efforts and enhance-
ments in our community,” said
Public Safety Director Todd
Mutchler.
Canton promotes 2 in public safety department
Garden Walk set June 30
John Oltman Patty Esselink
The 20th annual "Flowers Are Forever"
garden walk in Plymouth will take place
fromnoonuntil 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 30.
Tickets are priced at $8 pre-sale and
$10 if purchased the day of the walk.
Tickets for children 12 and younger are
half-price and there is no admittance
charge for babes in arms. Strollers are not
permitted.
The Trailwood Garden Club, a branch
of theWoman'sNational FarmandGarden
Association, is the sponsor. Tickets are
available from Garden Club members,
Backyard Birds on Main Street, Saxton's
Power Equipment Center on Ann Arbor
Trail in Plymouth and Sideways onForest.
The ticket includes descriptions of the sev-
eral gardens as well as a map to the gar-
dens.
The gardens have a variety of features
as well as many ideas that can be adapted
to home gardens. Complimentary refresh-
ments and a perennial sale will be at one
of the gardens. Master Gardeners will also
be available to answer gardening ques-
tions.
Trailwood Garden Club is well known
in the community for the plantings in
downtown Plymouth, flowers at the
Plymouth Community Veterans Memorial
Park and at the Plymouth Township
offices and the bird-feeder at the
Medilodge of Plymouth nursing facility.
The club annually sponsors the Plymouth
Fall Festival Perennial Exchange; does
theChristmas decorations at thePlymouth
Historical Museum; works with Michigan
4-Hand other garden-related activities.
For additional information, contact:
KateKerr (734-455-6867).
anchor tenant and restaurant, fashion,
fitness and other tenants which could
include a grocery store or a movie the-
atre.
Northville Township Supervisor
Robert Nix said the Redico/Pinnacle
development is part of a larger effort on
the part of Northville and Plymouth
Township, where there are about 500
acres of developable land along the Five
Mile corridor between Beck and Napier
roads.
Redico purchased a 59-acre site on the
east side Beck Road across from the for-
mer prison in 2013. Plans were to devel-
op 27 acres of the land and the developer
sold 32 acres of the property to an undis-
closed buyer. Watchowski said the
remaining land, in the Northville
Technology Park, is planned for use for
research and development and is divid-
ed into 6, 10 and 11 acre parcels.
of Education decided to allow zero non-
compliant fundraisers across the board,
severely limiting the ability of students to
raise money for school trips, sports teams
and other organizations,” Colbeck said.
“In essence, this meant the end of almost
all food sales.” Colbeck said a non-compli-
ant fundraiser is the sale of any food not
on the federally for fundraising events.
Colbeck introduced Senate Bill 139 in
January and as the bill went through the
Legislature, both Kapanowski and
Cothron, along with Canton Charter
Academy parent Lori Levi, testified
before the senators and members of the
House Education Policy Committee. Last
week, the bill was approved by the legisla-
tors and signed into law by Gov. Rick
Snyder. The bill, now SB139, Public Act 42
of 2015, directs the Michigan Department
of Education to return the decision-mak-
ing authority back to schools with regard
to the types of food they sell at fundrais-
ers.
“This new law reclaims local control
over foods that can be sold at fundrais-
ers,” Colbeck said. “School districts now
have the option of holding up to two
fundraisers per week that are not compli-
ant with the list of acceptable foods per
the so-called 'Smart Snacks' initiative.
Colbeck praised both the students and
Levi, noting that their testimony in favor
of the bill was compelling.
“Control is now back in the hands of
the schools, parents and administrators,”
Colbeck said.
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