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The Board of Trustees (BoT) met March 19 for its regular monthly meeting. Here are some highlights of the 91-minute gathering, where every motion was passed unanimously:
Library Listens. Three representatives from the Northville District Library stopped in to inform the BoT about a survey they want community members to take by April 15 in order to understand current and future library usage across different demographics. “We have a space problem at the library,” a Library Board member said. The input from the survey will direct a decision about the library’s future. Find the survey at https://northvillelibrary.org/.
Historical Commission Continuity. The BoT voted to reappoint Fred Shadko to the Historical District Commission. His new term ends March 31, 2029.
Northville Township Volunteer of the Year. The BoT passed a resolution to honor Diana Wallace, the 2026 Northville Township Volunteer of the Year. She has lived in the community 40 years and jumped in to help with multiple projects, including her role as Executive Director of the Northville Community Foundation and Maybury Farm, the Holiday Home Tour, Fourth of July parade and most recently, the Golf-4-Good Charity Golf Outing, which has raised thousands to support local organizations.
Citizen of the Year Accolades. The BoT read another resolution for Nancy Darga, the 2026 John Genetti Citizen of the Year. With a landscape architecture degree, she’s quick to collaborate on projects preserving the environment. She’s a leader on various boards, commissions and task forces. Township Supervisor Mark J. Abbo called her “our secret weapon” when it came to securing the land for the Northville Farmers Market.
Fire Chief Farewell. After 20+ years of dedicated service, Fire Chief Brent Siegel retires, leaving a lasting legacy of professionalism and leadership on Northville Township. The BoT marveled over his commitment in creating a strong, capable department that will continue to serve the community well into the future. As Supervisor Abbo noted, “I don't think anything that we say today could adequately express the thank you that we have for all the years of commitment that you've given to Northville Township.” Thank you for your exception service, Chief Siegel.
Youth Network Director Says Goodbye. The BoT honored Northville Youth Network (NYN) Director Amy Prevo, who will step down April 3 as she relocates with her family to the other side of the state. Since joining in 2017 and becoming director in 2018, Prevo built a legacy of compassion and community connection, while sharing her 30 years of experience devoted to helping young people succeed. She expanded NYN’s reach, supporting more than over 3,400 individuals in 2025, an increase of 120% over the previous year. The BoT thanked her for her advocacy and her deep commitment to Northville, the community where she was born, raised her own family and thrived. Thank you for your devotion, Director Prevo.
Millage Renewal to be on Aug. 4 Ballot. The BoT voted to place a renewal of the millage on the Aug. 4 ballot. It will provide continuity of current services, funding Township operations, including Police, Fire, EMS, Parks & Recreation, Senior Services and the Youth Network. The proposed levy would be for eight years at the 2025 rollback rate of 7.2054 mills (about $7.21 per $1,000 of taxable valuation). It will be used for and allocated as follows: Public Safety at 6.3447 mills, Parks, Senior and Youth Services at 0.7452 mills and General Operating at 0.1155 mills.
Opioid Settlement Signed. Northville Township is one of 4,000+ local governments participating in national opioid litigation, receiving about $200,000 from the various settlements. This is another settlement. The BoT approved the participation in six remnant defendants’ settlements in the amount of $97,625,000. The distribution amount to Northville Township is unknown at this time.
Pathway Extensions and Improvements Coming to Two Parks. Parks & Recreation hired contractor Best Asphalt Inc. of Romulus to add three connector stone paths to Five Mile Road at Marv Gans Community Park and cap the mile long hiking loop in Phase II of Legacy Park with stone. Both paths will provide a flatter, more accessible path for people of all abilities. The combined costs are $258,254.72 with a 10% contingency not to exceed $284,080.20.
Mowing Contract Awarded. The Departments of Public Services and Parks & Recreation collaborated on this request for proposal to mow and provide landscape maintenance at Township facilities, sports fields and parks. O’Guinn’s Lawn & Landscaping, Inc. from Plymouth won the annual contract that may be renewed for five years.
Trailer Headed to Auction. A 2005 enclosed American trailer will head to auction due to poor condition, age and its costly repairs.
New Car Smell. Two different departments received approval to purchase new vehicles for their fleets leveraging cooperative purchase agreements to contain costs. The Department of Public Works is buying a 2026 Ford Transit Cargo Van 250 for $66,268. It will be fitted with interior shelving, drawers and storage to be used for water meter equipment and tools. The Department of Public Safety seeks three 2026 Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicles to replace high mileage transportation. To buy them and outfit them with emergency equipment, computers, weapon locks, prisoner compartments and vehicle decals, they will cost $62,403.96 each, totaling $187,211.88.
New Water Meter Technology Simplifies Data Collection, Detects Leaks in Real Time. The Department of Public Services will soon install automated water meter infrastructure at each water tower. The system will capture reads from each household’s water meter and funnel the information into the Township’s billing system. Previously, two Water & Sewer team members drove around the Township for two to three days collecting the meter reads, downloaded the information and sent it off to the Finance & Budget Department, which created the billing. All three of these steps are eliminated, so it’s a time and resource saver. In addition, the new system allows real time consumption data, enabling faster detection of abnormally high water usage for customers, often an indicator of a running toilet or broken sprinkler heads, cutting down on surprise large bills. This $216,860 system benefits water customers.
Engineering Company Hired to Manage Complex Wayne County Subdivision Road Program. Fishbeck of Farmington Hills will provide design, administration and construction management for a Wayne County Road program that works with local neighborhood’s HOAs to offer roadway repairs with a 50/50 match. Wayne County will provide a match of $1.2 million in funds. Fishbeck’s contract is $55,250.
Blood Drive is April 7. Northville Parks & Recreation is hosting an American Red Cross blood drive Tuesday, April 7 from 10 am-3:30 pm at the Northville Community Center, 303 W. Main Street. Book a time by visiting https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=nvillecc.
Seven Mile Pathway Work Begins. Passersby will notice the survey stakes placed last week for the pathway project, as well as all the equipment and materials staged off Seven Mile’s Legacy Park. The next step is clearing trees along the route from the Essential Services Complex to the intersection at Seven Mile and Northville roads. That 10-foot-wide pathway phase should be completed by the end of August. Phase II will be completed by the end of November. It connects the Seven Mile and Northville Road’s new pathway to the intersection at Seven Mile and Main, then across the Farmers Market property to the existing Hines Park path system. The final restoration project will likely be spring 2027.
Northville Township Board of Trustee meetings are held the third Thursday of every month in Township Hall’s Assembly Room at 7 pm, unless noted otherwise. Please join us.
To review the meeting materials, visit the website. To attend a livestream of it, visit here.
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