January 2018
New Signal Now Installed at Broadbent and Saginaw
 


As you may have noticed, The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has recently been working at the intersection of Broadbent and Saginaw installing the support poles and hardware for the new signal that was announced last year.  The newly installed traffic light s will transition into full operation over the next couple weeks.  They will start in blinking mode for a week or two to allow traffic to get acclimated to the signal, and then in the coming weeks the signal will be timed and put into normal operation .
 
A pedestrian crossing on the east side of Broadbent will be completed in the Spring.
 
The Township,  in partnership with the Eaton County Road Commission,  reconstructed Broadbent approaches in 2017.
 
As a reminder, please use caution when traversing this area while motorists work through this transition on their daily commutes.
Mount Hope Park Development Update
 

The development of Mount Hope Park continues with additional good news.  On January 11, Delta Township was awarded a Land and Water Conservation grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) for a connector pathway that will connect the subdivisions of Ashford Manor and Point West to Mount Hope Park.  That will allow residents to access the park by shared-use pathways without having to drive.  The grant is the third received for Mount Hope Park resulting in more than $500,000 in funds from the MDNR for the park.
 
On January 8, the Delta Township Board agreed to request bids for the development of Mount Hope Park.  The bidding documents are awaiting approval from MDNR and will be released for bids in February. 
 
Mount Hope Park is located on Mount Hope east of Nixon.  The first phase is a $3.5 million investment that will include soccer fields, ball fields, playground equipment, restrooms, pavilion, pathways and infrastructure improvements to the site including roads, parking lots, water, sewer, and storm drains.

Read the DNR news release here.
Annual Change of Assessment Notice
 
The Assessing Department will be mailing out the annual Change of Assessment Notices in late February.  The purpose of this change notice is to notify you of the proposed 2018 Assessed and Taxable Value of your property.  The Assessed Value represents 50% of the estimated Market Value, and the Taxable Value represents the amount your 2018 taxes will be based on.  Taxable Values for 2018 can not increase greater than the rate of inflation, unless you purchased your property in 2017 or have made physical improvements.  The inflation rate, expressed as a multiplier, to be used for 2018 is 1.021%.  If you have any questions regarding your change notice, please call the Assessing Department at 517-323-8520.
 
March Board of Review for Property Value Appeals
 
The purpose of the March Board of Review is to hear appeals regarding your property valuation.  If you plan to appear before the Board of Review, please be prepared to present evidence in support of your estimated market value. 

The 2018 Board of Review will meet in Room A, located on the second floor of the Delta Township Administration Building - 7710 W. Saginaw Highway, Lansing, MI 48917 on the following dates: March 12 - 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and March 13 - 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. If you wish to protest your value to the Board of Review, you must have an appointment. Please call 517-323-8520 for an appointment. 

What's Going On:
 
The sign for the newly renamed Joseph E. Drolett Community Center has been installed.


Construction of the New Hilton Garden Inn located at 7711 W. Saginaw has begun.  

Sidewalk Snow Removal 

Delta Township property owners are reminded that they need to make arrangements to clear the snow and ice from sidewalks adjacent to their property.  Section 34-92  of the Delta Township Code of Ordinances requires that snow and ice be removed from the sidewalk within 24 hours of a snowfall. The code applies even if the property is vacant or the building on the premises is unoccupied.  Click  here  to view the  Township's Snow Removal Ordinance .

Contact the Delta Township Planning Department at 517-323-8560 with any questions regarding the Township's Snow Removal Ordinance. Thank you in advance for your cooperation!   
Don't Mourn Aging, Celebrate It!
No one is doing that more than members of the Delta Township Senior Council.
Written by: Pam Sievers
 
In early winter of 2015, Delta Township issued a call to seniors (50 and older) who were interested in making sure Delta Township was a vibrant community in which to age. That was the easy part. It got much tougher when forty residents gathered and began sharing ideas for programs and services they wanted to see in the township, and figuring out their role in the process. Those were the growing pains of the Delta Senior Council.

Led by Gloria Kovnot, a feisty 73 year-old who worked for two years behind the scenes and doesn't let the word 'no' deter her, the Council has morphed into an all-volunteer group that plans and engages in community initiatives, and meets monthly to hear speakers on topics of interest.  

"When Gloria initially met with the Township Board, she reminded us that seniors want to remain active and engaged, and were always looking for ways to give back," said Kenneth R. Fletcher, Delta Township Supervisor.  "She challenged us to consider forming the Senior Council as a vehicle to make that happen. Today, the Senior Council has been a great addition to the township, supplementing the established programs provided by the 39'ers at our Enrichment Center."

Central to the group is giving back to the community. "The Council is an easy way to make a positive impact in Delta Township," Kovnot says.

Their skills and interests go beyond programming as well: "The Senior Council helped us get the grant for the new outdoor gym at Sharp Park,"  said Marcus Kirkpatrick, director of the Parks, Recreation and Cemeteries Department.  "They had the diligence to get it done and did probably 90% of the grant writing.  They have also assisted us (township officials) in having a better understanding of the needs of seniors."   

In addition to providing service, several members are quick to identify benefits they've received. 

Mimi Patterson, one of the youngest members of the Council said "I've also greatly expanded my circle of friends who just happen to be seniors.  All whom I've met have been wise, funny, articulate, involved, well-rounded and energetic - they are the kind of people I want to be when I am their ages. That's been a great benefit."

Jim Kirschensteiner, a retired environmental engineer, has enjoyed lending his expertise by leading the annual Arbor Day tree planting celebrations which has now resulted in a nursery for the township.

Sandra Christian added "As a result of the monthly meetings, I am more familiar with what's already available for seniors in the township. I am now able to educate other seniors about services that exist to support healthy living."

And the cycle of learning and giving back continues.  What does 2018 hold in store for the Senior Council?

"We hope more seniors who share our commitment will join us. If you have an interest in social media, publicity, lifelong learning, outreach ... we have a place for you," Kovnot said. "And we're always looking for people interested in leadership roles. Aging in Delta Township should be celebrated, and we need to keep that vision moving along."

For more information on how you can get engaged, contact Gloria Kovnot at songlotwo@gmail.com or 517-627-2745.

Delta Offers Extended Hours Passport Drives

The Delta Township Clerk's Office accepts passport applications year around during regular office hours Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

The Clerk's Office will continue to offer passport drives during 2018.  One picture is required when submitting a passport application  (Form DS-11 ONLY) and can be obtained at the Clerk's Office for a $12.00 fee. If you are in need of a new passport, or to renew your existing passport, and find it difficult to get to our office during regular office hours mark your calendar.   The Clerk's office will be open to accept passport applications (Form DS-11 ONLYon the following dates in 2018:
  • Wednesday, February 7 - 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 5 - 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Saturday, August 4 - 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Wednesday, September 12 - 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Thursday, September 20 - 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Tuesday, October 2 - 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Please visit the U.S. Department of State website for documentation requirements, fees, and application at www.travel.state.gov
NO 
CREDIT CARDS AND DEBIT CARDS ARE ACCEPTED FOR PAYMENT OF PASSPORT APPLICATION FEES. THE APPLICATION FEE IS MAILED TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE WITH YOUR APPLICATION SO PAYMENT MUST BE IN THE FORM OF MONEY ORDER OR CHECK. Two payments will be required:  (1) Payable to the U.S. Department of State for processing of your passport, which must be in form of personal check or money order, and (2) Payable to Delta Township for pictures and service fee, which may be in the the form of a personal check, money order, cash, debit, or credit card.  Please call the Delta Township Clerk's office at 323-8500 if you have any questions or require more information.


   Join Hundreds of Participants
   Celebrating Fitness and Health 
   in Our Community!


Have fun getting fit with the Blue Cross® Winter Warm Up. Meet up with friends and family and join in on this great way to meet your 2018 health goals! The 5K training program is free and open to all ages and abilities (a parent or their designee must accompany children).

This eight-week training program involves attending two weekly
one-hour sessions with certified Good Form Running and Walking coaches from the Playmakers Fitness Foundation. In addition, participants will receive a weekly communication with training information and nutrition tips.

The 15 instructional sessions will lead to a free goal event - the Blue Cross® Winter Warm  Up 5K walk/run celebration at Hawk Island Park in Lansing on Sun., March 25, 2018.

Winter Heating Assistance

With the severely low temperatures we have seen this year, we know there may be a need for heating and utility assistance during these colder months. Please find a list of assistance programs available below:  

Michigan Community Action Agencies  Michigan Community Action is a member service network dedicated to reducing poverty in Michigan by supporting Community Action Agencies in their quest to change the lives of low-income Michiganders. Michigan's Community Action Agencies are a great resource for those that may need financial assistance. Click  here to find contact information for your local Community Action Agency. 
 
Michigan Home Heating Credit is a state of Michigan tax credit that can assist low to moderate income families and individuals that reside within the state. The program can help them pay for the cost of heating their homes and winter heating bills. The amount of credit is determined based on several factors, including total household income, the home's actual heating costs, as well as the number of exemptions claimed. You may contact the Michigan Department of Treasury at 1-800-827-4000 to obtain the proper forms and applications.

The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) is an independent non-profit charity organization that distributes emergency crisis funds for heating and utility bill-payment assistance across the state of Michigan to qualified applicants. The THAW program partners with several different local utility and gas companies who provide cash grants and emergency funding to administer and operate the assistance program in Michigan. Most of the grants go directly to low-income families, helping to pay heating, energy, and utility bills. Call 1-800-866-8429 to get more details on  energy bill assistance from The Heat and Warmth Fund.

Other assistance programs may be available through your utility company. 

Interested in Applying for a Facade Improvement Grant for Your Business?

The site of the old West Town Plaza received a grant for demolition via the Facade Improvement Program in late 2017.

Businesses along the east end of the Saginaw corridor (Waverly to Elmwood) will now have an opportunity to apply for some financial assistance from a facade improvement program offered and funded by the Delta Township Economic Development Corporation. 
  
This program is part of an effort by the Township's EDC to improve the aesthetics of building fronts along areas of the Saginaw corridor that have aged and/or fallen into disrepair and encourage improvements.  
 
The Delta Township Economic Development Corporation meets quarterly and works to improve economic development in Delta.  If you have any questions about this program, please call Economic Development Coordinator Ed Reed at 517-323-8560. 
Vol. 4  Issue: 1
In This Issue

Delta Township Board

Supervisor

Clerk

Treasurer

Trustee

Trustee


 

Eaton County
Satellite Office

The Eaton County Clerk's office and Treasurer's office is holding hours in the lower level of the Delta Township Administration Building. 

Please see the following schedule for days and times the satellite office will be open:

County Clerk
Holds hours every first and third Friday of each month 
from 9 a.m. to  1 p.m.

County Treasurer
Holds hours every second and fourth Friday of each month from  9 a.m. to 1 p.m.


Delta Township Employees

Manager

Finance Director

Fire Chief


Building/Assessing Director

Planning Director

Utilities Director

Parks & Recreation
Director 

Delta Township District Library Director

Township Engineer

Eaton Co. Sheriff's Department Delta Patrol
 
2017 Winter Property Tax Coming Due

Winter 2017 property taxes are due February 14, 2018 and are payable to Delta Township. After February 14, interest and penalties apply.

Beginning March 1, 2018 real property taxes (land and structures) are no longer payable to Delta Charter Township; payments must be submitted to the Eaton County Treasurer.

Delta Public Transportation Option  
 
EATRAN
EATRAN is a countywide open-door, curb-to-curb public transportation service offered in Eaton County.  

Click the map to view the service area.


Call to Schedule a ride at:
517-543-4087  -or-
517-371-3312

Click here for more information.


Have questions, comments or suggestions?

E-mail the Editor at 

Township Clerk
(517) 323-8500

Township Manager's Office
(517) 323-8590

Delta Township Office
7710 W. Saginaw Hwy
Lansing, MI 48917



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Overnight Parking Ordinance Reminder

Please note that no person shall park any vehicle, including a vehicle used for commercial or recreational purposes, or any trailer on either side of any highway, freeway, street, or roadway located within the township between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. of any day.

A person who violates the ordinance will receive a municipal civil infraction. The civil fine will be set from time to time by the township board by resolution.

Winter Road Plowing 

A reminder that Delta Township does not remove snow off of the roadways.
 
Eaton County Road Commission (ECRC) and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) are the agencies charged with snow removal in Delta Township. MDOT is charged with snow removal for I-96, I-69, I-496 and Saginaw Highway, ECRC is responsible for all other public roadways.     

For questions or concerns please contact:

Eaton County Road Commission
(517) 543-1630  

Michigan Department of Transportation
(517) 627-3276  
Email   
 
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Delta Township: a great place to live, work, and play!