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September 8, 2022 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN PAGE 5

SUMPTER
SUMPTER

Park reclamation plans moving forward

”
Members of the Sumpter plan along with four associated Some landscaping from the deco-
Township Board of Trustees are designs for the new Sumpter I give the supervisor a lot of credit rative arch, signage, that sort of
moving ahead with the reclama- Township Fairgrounds at a cost of thing. That's the only piece we're
tion and improvement plans for $11,500. and hopefully the board building at this point. But when
Banotai Park. Young explained that the can support and get behind this. you come back to build something
During the Aug. 23 meeting, improvements at the park would else, then you'll know where each
trustees approved the appoint- be part of a 5-year plan of of the components are support-
ment of Township Supervisor Tim improvements. He said the design incorporated into that proposal. you are going to stage it so that ed.”
Bowman, Township Manager would be included as part of a Burdick added that there is a sur- you build this piece, later add LaPorte said he was enthusias-
Tony Burdick and attorney Rob larger plan that would eventually vey for input from residents on another piece and then finally tic about the plans. “I am really
Young as representatives to come before the board for township recreation needs on the add another,” Hoppe said. “We're interested to see all of this,” he
review the plans and design of the approval. township website. going to get a land survey as part said. I give the supervisor a lot of
park and Sherwood Pond. All Township Manager Tony In response to a question from of the proposal then we will over- credit and hopefully the board
plans and designs would be pre- Burdick explained that Carlisle, Trustee Don LaPorte, Hoppe lay on that survey all of the func- can support and get behind this. It
sented to the board members for Workman and Associates (CWA) explained that the plans for the tions we want see happen. All of is something that is needed for the
consideration. the township outside planning fairground would include phases the pedestrian circulation, the community, some place for people
The board members also firm, was currently working on of development and building at vehicular circulation, all of those to meet and greet and have func-
approved a contract with Wade updating a new township master the site but would not include con- things. The idea is to build a little tions, so I think it's a good idea.”
Hoppe, an architect from plan as the latest plan expired in struction prices. piece of this right now. The pro- Board members approved the
Davenport Brothers Construction, December. He said there is cur- “The whole idea of a master posal is the gateway into it so it is contract with Trustee Peggy
to prepare a design and master rently a parks and recreation plan plan for the fairgrounds is that the curb cut into the fairgrounds. Morgan casting the only no vote.
Manager responds to questions about fencing bid

Sumpter Township Manager contract for fencing at the fair- Before abruptly leaving the ”
Anthony Burdick put questions ground was awarded to the high- meeting he accused the trustees
about a recent bid award for est bidder and noted that Allied, of being corrupt. I asked each of them to confirm
work at the township fair- the low bidder was, $18,000 less. Burdick requested permis- their bids so that I knew they understood.
grounds to rest during the Aug. He said it was a serious concern sion from Township Supervisor
23 meeting. that township taxpayers were Tim Bowman, who chaired the
While there may have been being asked “to pay double” for meeting, to respond, and
some confusion regarding the fencing at the fairgrounds. explained that he realized there requirement for commercial- ensuing conversation, an Allied
bid specifications, Burdick said Partridge, who the second- were “varying degrees of under- grade rather than residential representative admitted the
each bidder was offered an lowest bidder, became increas- standing” of the bid specifica- fencing and the scope of the specification clarification had
opportunity to reexamine the ingly agitated as he questioned tions due to some confusion in work may have led to the confu- “been missed” leaving the bid as
bid documents to “confirm their the board motives and suggested the bid documents. sion, trustees said. Burdick said submitted.
bids” prior to the awarding of wrongdoing on the part of the “I asked each of them to con- he contacted each bidder, Deputy Supervisor/Trustee
the contract to Davenport trustees and township attorney firm their bids so that I knew including Allied, the main topic Tim Rush reminded the audi-
Fence. Rob Young. He complained that they understood. Some bidders of Partridge's comments. ence that the board is not obli-
During the audience com- there was no master plan in included work that was not Burdick said no one from Allied gated or required to ever accept
ment portion of the agenda, Eric place for the fairgrounds and arguably part of the bid,” responded, so the bid was not the lowest bid on a project but to
Partridge expressed his disap- said the board members had Burdick explained. submitted for consideration. consider what is best for the
pointment and concern that the “the cart before the horse.” Confusion regarding the Burdick noted that in an township.

Parks administrator named

Members of the Sumpter Township with the work of the Parks and Recreation To subscribe to The Eagle visit
Board of Trustees have named Township Commission or Park Grants Administrator www.associatednewspapers.net.
Manager Anthony Burdick as interim Sharon Pokerwinski.
parks director. Oddy said this was an effort only to cen-
Burdick will now be the main source of tralize communications about the grants
communication with the board members available from the county.
regarding park grants and other matters. The designation was unanimously
Trustee Matthew Oddy noted that the new approved by trustees during the Aug. 23
designation would not change or interfere meeting.

PUBLIC HEARING
CANTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

A public hearing on the proposed 2023 budget for the Canton Public Library will
be held on Thursday, September 15, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. in the library's Community
Room. The property tax millage rate proposed to be levied to support the pro-
posed budget will be a subject of this hearing. The library is located at 1200 S.
Canton Center Road, Canton, Michigan 48188-1600. Copies of the proposed
budget will be available at the library.

Eva Davis
Library Director