POLICE TO HOST CRIME PREVENTION PARTNERSHIP KICKOFF

You’re invited! 

Northville Township Police Department is launching Partners in Your Safety, a new crime prevention partnership, and your involvement is vital to its success.

The kickoff meeting is at 6 pm Monday, June 13 at Township Hall’s Assembly Room at 44405 Six Mile at Sheldon roads. We are inviting all residents to join together to reduce crime, promote problem solving and create safer neighborhoods.

Northville Township Police Chief Scott Hilden, Community Services Officer Andrew Domzalski and other members of the department will be on hand to explain the program. Here’s an opportunity to meet them all in person to learn how to make the Township an even safer place to raise a family. 

What’s Involved?

Partners in Your Safety revolves around education. You and your neighbors will complete a series of program requirements in order to achieve accreditation status similar to what law enforcement agencies undergo. Accreditation ensures officers are performing best practices while serving the community.

The tasks are as simple as meeting two of your unknown neighbors, attending a quarterly talk about what crime trends are unique to your neighborhood (i.e. catalytic converter thefts) and learning some crime prevention techniques. 

This knowledge also empowers you to be the extra set of eyes and ears for law enforcement because you will report crimes quicker because you recognize them earlier.

Click HERE to learn more or contact:

Community Service Officer Andrew Domzalski

Email: adomzalski@twp.northville.mi.us

Phone: (248) 349-9400

We look forward to seeing you Monday, June 13 at 6 pm.

Thank you in advance for helping Northville Township become even safer than it is today.

DID YOU RECEIVE YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION?

The Clerk’s Office recently mailed absentee ballot applications to more than 12,000 residents on the Permanent Absentee List.

Completed applications may be returned:

• In person and placed in either the ballot Drop Box at the front desk or the one in the Township Hall Drive-Thru
• Sent via email to clerk@twp.northville.mi.us
• Sent via U.S. mail to Clerk’s Office, 44405 Six Mile Road, Northville, MI 48168

IMPORTANT REMINDER: The voter must sign and date the completed application in order to receive a ballot. Ballots will initially be mailed about 45 days before the election date, and then as the applications are received.

To enroll on the Permanent Absentee Voter List, click HERE.

Questions? Call (248) 348-5825.

NOT ON THE PERMANENT ABSENT VOTER LIST BUT STILL WANT AN ABSENTEE BALLOT FOR THIS ELECTION?

How do I apply for an absentee ballot?

• Online – Registered voters can request an absentee ballot online through our absentee voter request form before 5 pm the Friday before the election.
• Call the Clerk’s Office at (248) 348-5825 and ask that an application be mailed to you
• Download an application to return by mail or in person to the Clerk’s Office
• In person at the Clerk’s Office, 44405 Six Mile at Sheldon roads



IMPORTANT: Within two weeks of Election Day, to avoid possible postal delays, we recommend making your request in person at the Northville Township Clerk’s Office. You’ll be able to fill out and submit your ballot while there.

WEEKLY RECYCLING COLLECTION, LOWER COSTS TO BEGIN EVERY WEEK STARTING JULY 1

Northville Township Board of Trustees approved a five-year deal with our current rubbish hauler, GFL Environmental, which not only reduces collection fees by 8% annually but it increases the frequency of recycling collection to weekly. 

The new contract begins July 1.

“With gas over $4 a gallon, prices at the grocery store on the rise, and interest rates increasing, we are excited to announce that we were able to save our residents 8% on their solid waste bill,” said Northville Township Supervisor Mark J. Abbo. “Also, in year five of the new contract, our residents will still be paying less for trash collection than they are today. This is a big win for our residents.”

In March, the Township’s Public Services Department advertised a bid for the residential solid waste collection, recycling and composting program. Three service providers responded, and GFL Environmental bid was the lowest of the three, dropping residents’ fees from $14 per month to $12.90. 

“GFL’s bid was not only the lowest, but added recycling pick up from bi-weekly to weekly,” added Treasurer Jason Rhines. “In addition to picking up recycling weekly, GFL will offer a recycling rewards program to encourage residents to recycle more waste.”  

New Recycling Reward Program to Debut

GFL Reward for Recycling is a program where a resident puts out the recycling to be collected, logs into an online account and clicks the “Report Recycling” button. As an active recycler, GFL will offer savings and prizes, including reusable grocery totes, backpacks, gift cards and more. Participants may receive $300-$400 in savings each year, GFL reports.

“Although we are currently in court with GFL regarding the landfill, GFL’s weekly trash collection service to our residents has been unaffected,” said Abbo. “A top priority of the Township Board continues to be resolving our concerns with the landfill. This contract does not affect our resolve. What this contract will do, however, is provide our residents with a reduction in cost as well as increased services.”

In the spring, the Township Board of Trustees also announced that they would be reducing water and sewer fees by 3%. Reduced water and sewer rates, and the reduction in rubbish collection fees, will go into effect in July. 

WHY IS MY GFL ENVIRONMENTAL BILL SO INEXPENSIVE?

Your GFL Environmental invoice will read differently beginning this month. Effective July 1, GFL begins a 5-year contract with Northville Township that works out to an 8% reduction annually. The new monthly rate is $12.90. This is a $1.10 reduction in the monthly rate.

This savings is reflected in a credit on your most recent bill. You will receive a total credit of $2.20 for July and August that GFL invoiced at the old rate. The billing cycle also will change to cover July-December, so your first invoice will be for $49.40, because of this adjusted rate. All biannual invoices going forward will be for $77.40.

There is no need to call GFL; credits will be applied to your account automatically.

NORTHVILLE TOWNSHIP TAKES MAJOR STEP TO MAKE LEGACY PARK A REALITY

Northville Township is getting ready to take one monumental step in making Legacy Park a reality. Within the next few weeks, crews will begin the demolition of all of the remaining buildings at the former state psychiatric hospital.

“We started the project to transform the former psychiatric hospital property several years ago, and with the demolition of the buildings starting this summer, the dream of Legacy Park truly comes into focus,” said Supervisor Mark J. Abbo. “Our residents have been patient, but the time for action is now.”

What’s the Cost?

Northville Township Board of Trustees voted May 12 to award the demolition contract to Asbestos Abatement Incorporated of Lansing to remove all of the of remaining 11 buildings. Asbestos Abatement’s contract is not to exceed $8,946,420, which is significantly lower than the Township had projected.

“The removal of hazardous materials is very complex and can be cost prohibitive,” said Treasurer Jason Rhines, who owned a small business for 25 years specializing in construction and environmental remediation. “In order to properly plan for this project, we anticipated the cost to remove the buildings, including asbestos, could be as high as $18 million. But the Legacy Park Committee, Township staff and our consultants worked very hard over the past year and a half, and we believe that played a significant role in the bids coming in as low as they did.” 

Northville Township Director of Public Services Bob Belair will oversee the project. As required by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), the project will be closely monitored by a team of industrial hygiene professionals who will take samples, provide air filtration and implement all other necessary control measures to ensure that the air quality meets or exceeds the established government guidelines at all times during the project.

How to Pay for the Demolition?

“The funding for the demolition and subsequent inspections come from the $12 million bond sale Northville Township completed in late 2021 before interest rates rose,” continued Abbo. “The Township will repay the bonds with revenue collected by a Brownfield Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district created earlier. No money from the Township’s general fund will be used.”

“We recognize residents want these buildings down and our role is to do so in a way that is fiscally responsible and that’s what we have done,” concluded Treasurer Rhines.

Northville Township acquired the 332-acre Legacy Park property in 2009 after a millage election. It included 20 buildings, a water tower, a power plant and other infrastructure. The first buildings were demolished in 2012. The signature nine-story, 252,174-square-foot psychiatric hospital came down in 2018.

FIRE DEPARTMENT WORKS WITH EAGLE SCOUT TO FACILITATE EMERGENCY RESCUES AT MAYBURY STATE PARK

Your Northville Township Fire Department recently worked in conjunction with Eagle Scout candidate Malek Younes and the staff at Maybury State Park to install emergency access signage.

These signs are designed to be used as an easy way to locate someone’s position in case of an emergency. You will see white and red numbered signs throughout the park.

At this time, we are working to integrate the GPS location of each post into the response plan from the Fire Department. The project is a work in progress and we will update you as it nears completion. 

NEW VOTER REGISTRATION ID CARDS MAILED

The Clerk’s Office mailed new voter registration ID cards to all Northville Township registered voters in late April.

The new card is necessary because the Michigan Redistricting Commission redrew congressional, state senate, state house and county commissioner districts after the decennial census. The card informs you of your new districts, which will be in effect for the Aug. 2 Primary election and the Nov. 8 General election. 

To learn more about precinct voting locations in the Township, visit https://ntwp.org/3LZxwBU. Questions? Call (248) 348-5825.

NORTHVILLE TOWNSHIP EARNS SILVER IN MICHIGAN GREEN COMMUNITIES CHALLENGE

Northville Township was recognized for its environmental leadership, earning a silver designation from the 2021 Michigan Green Communities (MGC) Challenge.

This achievement nods to our advancement in energy efficiency, recycling and a commitment to sustainability.

“We have incorporated sustainability into the capital improvement process (CIP), installed LED lighting throughout all Township facilities and are introducing weekly recycling after negotiating our rubbish collection contract,” said Northville Township Facilities Manager Brandon McCullough, who spearheaded the community’s sustainability efforts. 

Overall, 44 participating local governments were awarded gold, silver, or bronze seals of achievement reflecting community leadership in areas such as energy efficiency, climate adaptation and resilience, recycling, environmental justice, and more. Ten communities received bronze certification, 12 received silver certification, and 22 received gold certification.

Improving Sustainability Over Time

The Township previously held the bronze designation in 2019, so it has progressed over the years. The program had been on pause because of the pandemic.

“We want our residents to know that the LED lighting, for instance, was made possible by our partners at DTE Energy, who provided grant funding for the project,” said Township Treasurer Jason Rhines. “It will lower our electricity bill for years to come, so not only is it good for sustainability, it’s saving our residents’ money.”

The Michigan Green Communities (MGC) program is open to all local governments in Michigan, at no cost. MGC is a sustainability networking, benchmarking, and technical assistance program. It guides and supports communities in adapting to a changing climate, protecting infrastructure, improving the quality of life for residents, and creating a more environmentally and economically sustainable future for the state of Michigan.

Michigan Green Communities is supported by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services; the Michigan Economic Development Corporation; the Michigan Association of Counties; the Michigan Municipal League; and the Michigan Townships Association. More details about this program can be found at www.migreencommunities.com. Questions regarding the Michigan Green Communities program can be directed to info@migreencommunities.com.

For questions regarding Northville Township’s sustainability and environmental efforts, reach out to Brandon McCullough at bmccullough@twp.northville.mi.us.