Stockbridge Township Board discusses important issues

Cheyenne Johnson and Gabe Nielsen lead pledge of allegiance. Photo by Mary Wilson

by Mary Wilson

The March 18 meeting of Stockbridge Township Board Meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Cheyenne Johnson and Gabe Nielsen, students of Stockbridge Community Schools.

Old business began with review of blueprints for the renovation of the new part of Township Hall, used by SAESA prior to moving to its new location. Discussion has been occurring on the possibility of using the State of Michigan Building Department inspectors instead of the company the Village hired to do their building department inspections. This issue came up because of the large permit fees SAESA had to pay for their renovations at their new location: Building, $5,090.00; electrical, $208.00; plumbing, $240.00; mechanical, $214.50; with a total of $5,756.50.

If the Village had stayed with their own building department, the one they had before they hired a firm to do the inspections for them, the cost would have been as follows: building, $450.00; electrical, $200.00; plumbing, $200.00; mechanical, $200.00, with a total of $1,050.00.

The difference comes to $4,706.50 more with the Village-contracted inspections.

The Township downloaded forms from the State of Michigan Building Department to compare cost and fees of permits. The cost for the Township renovations would cost under $1,000, doing inspections through the State. Also SAESA would have been under $1,400.00 through the State.

Township talked with the State Building Department, and learned that they needed to use the Village-hired building department unless the Village agreed to let the Township use the State Building Department. Stockbridge Township Board was going to contact the Village because they want to start renovations soon, hoping to save taxpayers money wherever possible.

Stockbridge Township has been negotiating with Stockbridge Community Outreach to lease the old fire barn on Cherry Street to Outreach for $1 a year. Township received a message during their meeting stating Stockbridge Community Outreach decided not to move in the old fire barn, stating the building doesn’t fit Outreach’s needs.

This notification came as a surprise to the Township because they had been negotiating for a few months. In anticipation of the move and per Outreach’s request, the Township conducted an environmental study, cleaned, painted and refinished the floors.

To better understand what stopped the move, this reporter talked with a representative from Stockbridge Community Outreach. The person’s response was, Outreach received a letter from the Village that stated Outreach couldn’t move in until the property was rezoned. The Township received a letter also that the property had to be rezoned. This made Outreach nervous, not wanting to get between the Village and the Township. Also Outreach was concerned about the potential dollar amount maintenance on the building in the future.

The Township continues to work on Commercial Marihuana Ordinance for recreational and medical marihuana. The Board is working make a complete and fair ordinance that works for all.

The Stockbridge Township had other things on their agenda, but these were the three main ones discussed.