Shoppers visit vendors in Pavilion 1 at Prince Drewry Park on Sept. 28, 2022, the first day of the 2022 Market Days event series. The Clinton Township Board of Trustees approved the 2023 Market Days series to start in May and end in August.
By: Dean Vaglia | Fraser-Clinton Chronicle | Published April 18, 2023
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — The Prince Drewry Park Market Days event series is back for 2023 after a unanimous vote at the April 10 Board of Trustees meeting.
Originally approved through contentious debate over budgeting, timing and how it would impact resources, the three-day event was approved without conflict or debate.
“We are enthusiastic that the township is taking a part in helping organize this event and really helping us professionalize the event,” Trustee Mike Keys said. “Hopefully, we will help make sure it continues on from year to year.”
The event will be covered via a $6,000 amendment to the Recreation Department’s budget. Events will take place on May 20, June 28 and August 26 and feature local vendors selling goods under the park’s shelters. Bounce houses and other activities will be present on the market days, too.
Three events were held last fall at the park along Quinn Road. Set up by the Prince Drewry Advisory Committee as part of a broader mission of improving the park, organizers took inspiration from the Dodge Park market event.
A minimal fee is collected from vendors to help cover expenses.
CDBG comments and assignment
On April 10, the board held a public hearing regarding its allocation of 2023 Community Development Block Grant funds, granted to the board from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
With $605,606 to work with, a public hearing was held to allow residents and interested parties a chance to weigh in on how the funds are used ahead of the May 8 board meeting.
Representatives for Care House and Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers spoke before the board, and board members approved a $2,444 CDBG fund allocation to IVC to aid its senior care services.
Selling township-owned lots
The board also approved selling three township-owned residential lots.
While not the first time the board has done such things, this round of selling property was different because all of the lots were vacant. Originally taken through foreclosures, the properties were sold for $1,000 each on the condition single-family homes are to be built.
“The idea here is that we want to find builders that want to build single-family homes,” Treasurer Paul Gieleghem said. “That ... gets those back on the tax rolls, but it also expands opportunities for home ownership.”
Giambanco Building Co. purchased one lot on Mabon Drive while Biondo Building Co. purchased lots on Abrahm Street and Woodward Street.
Reappointments
Trustees also appointed two people to boards and committees.
Lynda Locke was reappointed to the Clinton-Macomb Public Library Board on the recommendation of Library Director Larry Neal. She’ll serve another term ending on April 30, 2027.
Marilyn Wittstock was reappointed to the Inclusive Playground Committee, adding two more years to a term that began in April 2020 and is now set to end on June 30, 2025.