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The Board of Trustees (BoT) met Aug. 21 for its regular monthly meeting. Here are some highlights of the 73-minute gathering:
Appointment Accolades. Congratulations to Dory Schmidt, who was reappointed to the Senior Advisory Commission, with a term ending Sept. 30, 2028. She is the Commission’s secretary.
Water Provider Budget Presentation. Western Townships Utilities Authority (WTUA) the provider of Northville Township’s water, presented its budget for fiscal year 2025-2026. The BoT approved it. It included an increase of 2.5% from the previous year, aligning with last year's budget. It also highlighted WTUA has no debt. All of its bonds have been retired with no plans for new bonds. “I would like to point out that since we separated from Wayne County in 2017, we continue to save millions of dollars a year in sending all of our flow to Ypsilanti,” said WTUA Director of Operations Aaron Sprague.
Deer Coalition Update. Resident John Herald, who volunteered to join the Southeast Michigan Urban Deer Coalition, attended his first meeting to explore how deer impact Northville Township and the region. His report addressed launching a survey to understand the size of the Township’s deer population. He also shared deer collision data and Farmington Hills’ deer management steps.
Townhouses on Tap. Schaefer Development 5 and Ridge Phase II LLC will buy an additional 24+ acres west of the current Schafer Development/Toll Bros. Coldwater Ridge parcel in the Michigan International Technology Center (MITC). The property is west of Ridge Road, north of Five Mile Road. They will construct a residential project similar to their Coldwater Ridge development with attached townhomes. The price is $70,000 per buildable acre. The purchase passed with Trustee Chris Roosen voting no.
Destination: Auto Auction. Two police vehicles will head to auction after being removed from service for mileage and mechanical failure. The BoT authorized the move for the 2017 Ford Explorer and the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe with proceeds going to the Public Safety Capital Fund.
Youth Basketball’s Popularity. Northville Parks & Recreation requested an additional $5,000 to outfit teams in NBA and WNBA-licensed basketball team jerseys and purchase equipment because of a surge in registrations due to the popularity of the Junior NBA program. The motion was unanimously supported.
Soccer Goal S.O.S. The BoT approved the emergency purchase of new soccer goals for Marv Gans Community Park for $38,185.32 to accommodate a college showcase event, residents, renters and partner organizations. The previous goals belonged to an outside vendor.
Township Wins $40,000 Grant for Legacy Park. The BoT approved an intergovernmental agreement with SEMCOG for a Planning Grant, which will be used to develop a Green Infrastructure Master Plan for Legacy Park. The Alliance of Rouge Communities (ARC), which submitted the Planning Grant on the Township’s behalf, also will be designing the Master Plan. The $40,000 grant will develop a storm water and green infrastructure master plan for Legacy Park. It will guide storm water infrastructure, re-forestation, wetland habitat and native area establishment. The Township will pay a local match of $7,260.
Northville Plaza Mall to Become Mixed-Use Development. The BoT approved a mixed-use development at 42265 Seven Mile Road, the Northville Plaza Mall site, on nearly 11 acres. It will feature 13,818-square-feet of retail, 55 apartments, 12 two-story condos with a first-floor primary bedroom, 58 three-story condos and 2.2 acres of open space. The developer, Cypress Partners, may also build pickleball courts at Legacy Park.
Wayne County Certifies Election, Declaring it Perfect. The Wayne County Board of Canvassers has certified Northville Township’s Aug. 5 special election. It was free from errors, so Wayne County declared it a perfect canvass. Clerk Cynthia L. Jankowski congratulated each member of the Clerk’s Office, the volunteers, the Election Inspectors and the Receiving Boards.
Summer Taxes Due. Treasurer Jason Rhines reminded residents summer taxes are due Sept. 15.
Access the 2026 Budget Book. The live link to the online interactive 2026 Budget Book will be added to the Township’s website Thursday, Sept. 18. To view the 2025 one, visit here.
Save the Date. Northville Parks & Recreation is hosting Northville Nite Friday, Sept. 26 from 6-9 pm at Marv Gans Community Park. The lively celebration includes live music, food trucks, inflatables, yard games and a powerful brand reveal moment.
The Northville Township Fire Department is hosting its annual free Open House Saturday, Oct. 4 from 11 am-2 pm at Station 1 on Six Mile Road, across from Northville High School.
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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