Cracks and potholes line North Blom Drive, which is the current target of a special assessment district campaign. The district would use funds raised by residents to pay for road repairs.
By: Dean Vaglia | Mount Clemens-Clinton-Harrison Journal | Published January 24, 2024
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — New year, new roads? That’s what one Harrison Township neighborhood might be getting.
At the Jan. 8 Harrison Township Board of Trustees meeting, trustees took the first steps toward establishing a special assessment district for Cloverleaf Street, North Blom Drive and one South River Road residence.
“We’ve been working with the residents of Cloverleaf Street and North Blom Drive on a potential special assessment district to repave that road,” Township Clerk Adam Wit said.
The resident-initiated district will pay for the replacement of the existing concrete and asphalt roadway and any driveway approach replacements as deemed necessary. According to board documents, early estimates expect the work will cost $645,041 with annual payments for concrete access at $882.84 per lot and asphalt access at $1,765.56, although the final assessed cost will depend on the actual construction expenses. No drainage improvements are planned for this project, though it would be included if the work is picked up by the Macomb County Subdivision Reconstruction Program.
Trustees approved the initial details for the district and set the Monday, Jan. 22 meeting as the first public hearing for it.
“This meeting is for residents to come and reserve their individual opportunity to protest the special assessment to the state tax tribunal,” Wit said.
According to Wit, the district petition received signatures from 56% of affected residents.
Fire truck repairs approved
Trustees approved about $69,300 in repairs for the Harrison Township Fire Department’s Engine 2, a 2006 Pierce Arrow used as a backup engine. It was brought in for repairs in September 2023, which included fixing its pump, fuel tank, cab door, light wiring and other components.
Service on the nearly two decade-old truck was carried out by R & R Fire Truck Repair in Northville.
“Without the repairs it certainly doesn’t serve us, and if we wanted to replace it, we couldn’t really expect to sell it in that condition,” Township Supervisor Ken Verkest said.
Water meter reader bond
As the process continues to replace water meter readers throughout Harrison Township, trustees passed a bond resolution to raise up to $1.6 million to help cover the purchase of the readers.
The purchase and installation of meters is expected to cost $3.1 million, with half of the cost covered through bonds.