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MACOMB TOWNSHIP — With the general election of 2024 completed, the new term of the Macomb Township Board of Trustees began on Nov. 26.
Michigan Supreme Court Justice David Viviano, the cousin of Macomb Township Supervisor Frank Viviano, swore in the township’s trustees and full-time elected officials.
“Public service is a high calling, especially in local government,” David Viviano said during the pre-meeting ceremony. “You’re on the frontlines of our democracy and it’s sometimes a thankless job, but I know that each of you will continue to serve and begin your public service career with distinction and serve with integrity and with passion to do what’s best for the residents of Macomb Township.”
Notable among those sworn in is Ron Papa Jr., who won the Republican primary in August. Papa replaces Nancy Nevers on the board for the new board term.
“I want all of you to know what this position means to me,” Papa said after recounting his six campaigns for public office during his end-of-meeting board comments. “When you fight this hard for something you never take it for granted, and I will bring the same persistence, dedication and grit to serving.”
Greenway plan property purchases
Trustees later approved motions that, if plans fall into place, would lead to large steps being taken in creating the North Branch Greenway.
Trustees first approved the purchase of two parcels of land totaling 28.86 acres. Covered by a Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund grant of $742,500, the two parcels cost $490,000 and the DNR would require the township to match $147,000 as part of a 70-30 cost share.
Trustees then approved a motion to purchase two adjacent parcels along 23 Mile Road totaling around 18.14 acres for $700,000. However, the township is working with the county to secure a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency that would cover the 23 Mile Road parcels and the match for the DNR grant, leaving the township’s total cost for all four parcels at $110,000. If the township is unable to get the FEMA grant, the 23 Mile Road parcels will not be purchased.
The two approvals mean the township will at most pay $147,000 for two parcels without the FEMA grant or $110,000 for four parcels with the FEMA grant.
Upon purchasing, the parcels would become public conservation lands with park-related amenities being the only development allowed upon them. These lands would form part of the North Branch Greenway and serve as the Macomb Township segment of a recreation corridor running along the Clinton River between the Freedom Trail in Clinton Township to the Macomb Orchard Trail in Armada Township.
“The overall project will take decades,” Frank Viviano said. “It will take decades to secure enough property to make a contiguous greenway through the township. But it has to start somewhere, and these are really the steps to making that happen.”
The FEMA grant hinges on the township having a wetland-creation project that qualifies, which is what is planned to occur on the 23 Mile Road parcels. Successfully getting the FEMA grant, along with the successful acquisition of the DNR grant, is expected to help the township’s chances at getting more and larger grants in the future.
Recreation center repairs
Trustees also approved a contract, not to exceed $10,000, with New Baltimore-based Brick & Level Masonry Restoration to make repairs to the recreation center.
“Back in roughly June of this summer, the recreation center was hit by lightning,” Department of Public Works Director Kevin Johnson said. “Some of the stonework in the northwest corner of the roof broke apart and fell to the ground because of the lightning strike, so this is the company that is going to come and do those repairs. It’s about 20-30 feet of brickwork that has to be done.”
The work will be covered by the township’s insurance.
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