Township Supervisor's Report

Among the highlights from a very busy year were:

Community Development Director Dale Reaume was named Township Manager, following the resignation of David Mekarski.

The Township signed an agreement with the State of Michigan committing to a massive upgrade of the Island’s sanitary sewer system. The upgrade is estimated to cost nearly $40 million dollars and take five years to complete. The Township successfully applied for low interest financing from the state. The goal of the upgrade is to eliminate basement backups and the discharge of inadequately treated materials into the Detroit River. Voters approved funding of the project from property taxes at the November election.

Road paving SAD projects were approved for Lake, Rucker and Ruthmere Roads, with construction expected in Fall, 2002. The Township successfully secured 20% of the construction costs from Wayne County.

Plans were finalized and construction began on an addition to the Water’s Edge Clubhouse for a new restaurant facility. The club will lease the space, expected to be completed in Spring, 2002, to a private restauranteur.

All the legislative districts that include Grosse Ile were redrawn. To the dismay of many, the Island was taken out of John Dingell’s 16th Congressional district and placed into one of the state’s “majority-minority” Detroit based districts. Grosse Ile’s new state house seat for the first time in memory does not include Trenton. Our new state Senate seat stretches west to Sumpter and then North along I-275 to Canton.

On July 14th a chemical leak and fire at Atofina in Riverview forced the evacuation of much of the Island, as a “chemical plume” drifted across Grosse Ile for hours. The GIFD’s excellent work was critical in minimizing the incident, as nearby railcars containing chlorine were cooled. Following the incident, the Township led the way downriver by installing a new state of the art emergency notification system, including sirens and a low frequency radio station. Additionally, a command center was put together at the Public Safety Building to handle future emergencies, our official emergency plan was updated, and an advance telephone calling system was included in the 2002-03 budget. The Township sponsored the only comprehensive public information meeting on the incident on August 16th.

New water mains on Lake and Rucker Roads were installed. Planning for the replacement of the water main on East River from Manchester to Ferry began.

Continuing the historical theme of the Township Hall project, a Veterans’ Memorial Garden was
dedicated behind the Township Hall. A “Michigan Jets” program held in July raised $7,000 for the project.

The Township joined with Wayne County and the Cities of Trenton and Riverview in opposing the development of a large intermodal transportation facility near the Toll Bridge. It is feared that such a facility will draw increased truck, train, and freighter traffic to the area.

The Township joined with many other municipalities in the area in fighting the Wayne County Community College tax increase levied for the first time in December.

What may be the longest planned road improvement project in the Island’s history, West River South of Parkway, was the subject of much work throughout the year. Plans were finalized and approved. Easements from property owners in the area were acquired. Construction is expected in Fall 2002.

Operation “Shut Down Sugar Island” was coordinated by the Grosse Ile Police Department over Labor Day weekend in attempt to curb underage drinking and increase boating safety during the holiday.

The voters renewed the main Police Department millage of 2 mills for 10 years, in November. The millage raises about $1 million annually.

The Township joined the nation in readiness following the September 11th terrorist attacks. Police were on alert and flight activity at the Grosse Ile Municipal Airport was halted for months. A community prayer service was held. The day was without incident on Grosse Ile. A subsequent “boot drive” by the GIFD raised over $40,000 for FDNY. An American flag began flying over the County Bridge and the Township posted a “United We Stand” banner at the Parkway entrance to Grosse Ile.

The Township received a $10,000 grant to plant trees in the business district. About 80 trees were planted. The Downtown Development Authority finalized plans for the completion of “Macomb Common,” incorporating a donated sculpture, “Grosse Ile Totem,” a donated gazebo, additional landscaping, and a drinking fountain. Completion is scheduled for Spring 2002.

The Township Planning Commission began the first complete update of the Township’s Master Plan in many years. A public forum in January kicked off this important project.

A winter storm at the end of January dumped several inches of snow and rain on Grosse Ile, knocking down trees as well as severely disrupting electric, telephone, and cable television services. The Island’s sanitary system was overwhelmed, and the Police and Fire Departments worked around the clock to help those in need. A special tree-chipping project by the Township took two crews working two weeks to complete.

Douglas W. Jones, Township Supervisor

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