Macomb Township makes move to buy 23 Mile property

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — Township officials have taken a step toward expanding the 23 Mile Road public safety complex by making an offer to buy an adjoining property.

Greenlighted by the Macomb Township Board of Trustees at its Nov. 21 meeting, the township will offer the owners of 19975 23 Mile Road $200,000 for the property.

“There’s been long-term damage to the home that hasn’t been repaired in a number of years,” Macomb Township Supervisor Frank Viviano said. “In the course of negotiations and settlement, that property owner made it known they would entertain an offer from the township.”

The site will be incorporated into the existing township property along 23 Mile Road, which includes the township’s public safety building and the Marvin Blank Senior Center, as a parking lot.

 

Residents honored
A retiring firefighter and high-achieving high school athlete were honored by the Macomb Township Board of Trustees on Nov. 21.

Ray Yonkowski served for 30 years with the Macomb Township Fire Department, achieving the rank of lieutenant in January 2023 and officially retiring on Oct. 31.

“Words can’t truly describe the impact Lt. Yonkowski has had on this department,” Macomb Township Fire Chief Robert Phillips said. “His dedication and commitment to serving the residents during their time of need is truly impressive.”

Following Phillips giving Yonkowski a helmet commemorating his service, the board read a resolution honoring Lauren Timpf. A senior at Lutheran North High School, Timpf was recognized for winning three consecutive state golf championships with a 2023 season scoring average of 69.4 while maintaining a 4.14 GPA. Timpf’s other achievements include Miss Golf Michigan 2023, Macomb County Player of the Year, twice being named to the state Super team, four regional championships and receiving All Academic and All Catholic honors.

 

Pre-approved procurements
The board also approved nearly $250,000 in 2024 expenditures. While the township requires expenditures over $8,000 to be bid competitively, each of the 10 expenditures have exceptions to the rules. The highest expenditures include $75,000 to Printing Systems, Inc. for election materials, $43,608 to CDW/VC3 for Microsoft Office software renewals and $36,000 to Bound Tree Medical for EMS supplies.

Another expenditure approved by the board was for the information technology department to spend up to $61,300 to buy 50 personal computers and docking stations. Budgeted for the 2023/2024 fiscal year, the new computers are part of the township’s technology replacement plan.