SECORD TOWNSHIP NEWSLETTER

2009-2010

12-01-09

This newsletter is being provided to all Secord Township taxpayers as an information and reference document. It highlights the activities of the past year and addresses some concerns of the future. Solid Waste Removal, Junk Ordinances, Lake Weed Control, Zoning Ordinance Highlights, Important Phone Numbers and other miscellaneous information are contained in this document that you may want to save for future use.

2009 Highlights for Secord Township            

1. Visit the Township web site at www.secordtownship.org.     Check it out.  It contains meeting minutes, the zoning ordinance, contact numbers for people and agencies that may be able to answer your questions and many other items of interest for the property owners in Secord Township.

   2. In May of 2008 there were two Road Millage issues on the Ballot for Secord Township. The first was a 3/4 mill (5 years) for Road Maintenance within the Township. The second was 2 1/4 mills for Road Construction.   In August of 2008 the Gladwin County Road Commission had a 2 mill renewal request on the ballot for County Roads. It was very important that they receive their request as this is one of the revenue sources that the County uses for their share of money for road projects that we request. Our road Construction and Maintenance needs should be covered for the next 5 years. 

                 A. Proposed Road Construction Plan: (2009-2014)

1. West Branch Drive BApproximately 0.7 miles south of Lundy

Preparation 2009, Paving 2010

2. Wirtz Road B Approximately 1.0 miles between Lakeshore and Three                                                                               Rivers

Preparation 2010 Paving 2011

3. West Branch DrBApproximately 0.4 miles north of Lundy

Lakeshore Dr -- approximately 0.5 miles from existing pavement south of Fire Hall

Preparation 2011 Paving 2012

4. Pineland Point-- Approximately 0.1 miles

Whispering Pines Court-- Approximately 0.1 miles

Whispering Pines Road B approximately 0.5 miles

Preparation 2012, Paving 2013

5. Moose DriveB Approximately 0.3 miles

Center RoadCapproximately 0.2 miles

Preparation 2013, Paving 2014

3. The Township has been making additional payments on the USDA loan ($260,000.00) for the new hall. Since the loan inception in 2004 a total of $177,000.00 has been paid on the principal including $25,000.00 paid this year that has moved the final payoff date from 2034 to 2020.

4. Gladwin County has limited recycling. Newspapers and phone books are accepted on Saturdays on Spring St next  to the Gladwin High School parking lot.  County wide recycling (FORGE) is nearing a startup with a location for a drop-off of materials being located in the old Grove building.. As information becomes available it will be posted on the Township web site.

5. Secord Township provided mosquito control for Township residents during the summer of 2009. A public hearing was held in September of 2009 and the program received mixed reviews from those in attendance. The board felt that the program should go on an upcoming ballot, as a millage proposal, to decide if the program should go forward. A new plan has been submitted by Advanced Pest Management for Mosquito Control. Check out the Township Web Site for details of the plan. 

                     

I.  Solid Waste Removal

A. Contractor:
Republic Waste Service (RWS) (Garbage assessment is $91.00 per year.)
1-800-578-2664
Contact person: Joe Saliga

B. Service Provides

1. Normal collection of household trash is provided each Monday between the hours of 6AM and 8PM. Exceptions to this are holidays and weather conditions.  If it is a weather condition, the trash will be collected as soon as the weather permits.

a. Holiday Schedule for 2010

1)   Memorial Day

Trash Tues. 6-01-10

Yard Waste-Wed.  6-02-10

2)   Labor Day

Trash Tues.  9-07-10

Yard Waste-Wed 9-08-10

3) Christmas 2009

 Trash Mon. 12-21-09

4) New Years 2010

Trash Mon 12-28-09

C. Unlimited number of trash bags or containers. Weight must not exceed 40 pounds per item

D. One large household item each week. RWS will be responsible for required Freon-free  certification of refrigerators. A 30 gallon amount of building material qualifies as large household item if bagged, canned or bundled

E. Yard waste will be collected on Tuesdays of each week starting in April through November. Yard waste is defined as leaves, grass clippings, twigs, dried lake debris, plant and shrub trimmings of less than 1" in diameter.  Yard waste shall be placed in  approved biodegradable paper bags or in an open container clearly marked AYard Waste@.

F.  RWS does not pick up hazardous waste, cement blocks, shingles, containers containing or previously containing gas or oil and any item too heavy to be lifted by two averages  men.

G.  RWS have large dumpsters that are available for rental when someone has a large amount of  building   material to dispose of.

H.  Any questions on whether an item will be picked up please call RWS.

II.      Junk Ordinances

Secord Township has a junk ordinance which covers junk accumulation, blighted structures and inoperable  vehicles on property within the Township.  To file a complaint, a letter must be submitted to the Township Supervisor detailing the situation and who may be responsible.

III.    Road Maintenance/Construction

          During the 2009 construction season the following was accomplished with the two road millages.

Maintenance Millage:

1. Finished reconstruction and paving of Pineland Point.

2.  Three Brinings of gravel roads in conjunction with the three summer holidays.

3.  Applied gravel to 2 miles of gravel roads in Township

4. Crack sealed 3 miles of existing roads

5. Replaced Culvert on West Branch Dr north of Lundy.              

Construction Millage:

1. Black-topped 0.39 miles of Pineland Road east to existing blacktop.

2. Paved 0.56 miles of Lakeshore Dr south of Fire Hall.

3. Prepared 0.7 miles of West Branch Dr. For black topping in 2010.

A.       The Maintenance millage for 2010 will be utilized for 3 road brining, Ditching and culvert work on West Branch Dr north of Lundy, graveling of 2 miles of roads within township and crack sealing of 10 miles of existing roads... 

B.       The Construction millage for 2010 will be utilized for the paving of 0.7 miles of West Branch Dr.  Also preparation for black top will be performed on 1 mile of Wirtz Road and pull ahead 0.5 miles of Lakeshore Dr for preparation of the road for paving in 2011. 

IV.    Weed Control Secord and Smallwood Lakes

This past season a more aggressive weed treatment program was continued. The weather and weed growth dictated the times and dates of the treatments in 2009. Milfoil treatment in both lakes occurred at different times starting in June on Secord and the last treatment of milfoil was close to Labor Day on Smallwood Lake. Shoreline treatment was also affected by the weather conditions and weed growth for shoreline treatments. Algae treatment was also affected by the warm weather but was eventually completed.  The Milfoil in our waters are starting to become immune to the herbicides that are currently being used and our applicator and Dr. Puhlman are working on some new methods of treatment and stay within our budget.  Starting in 2008 we will be even more aggressive in the weed treatment program. Under our newly adopted plan (2008-2012) the milfoil program will continue but we will be getting two shoreline treatments each year for the next 5 years.  Note: Our weed control applicator needs well locations when the treatments are done. When the form asking for information about well location is received please return it with the wells location. This information speeds up the application process.

V.     Hall Rental Fees and Conditions

A. Rental is limited to Secord Township residents only.

B. Smoking is not allowed in the hall and alcohol is not allowed on the premises

C. Fees are:

a. Small parties, $50.00 rental - $100.00 deposit

b. Larger parties, $100.00 rental - $200.00 deposit

c. Township funeral gatherings - no rental cost- $100.00 deposit

I.   Miscellaneous Notes:

A. The Secord Township Treasurer reminds citizens that taxes are due by 3-01-10. Taxes must be received by that date and any postmarked on or after that date will be turned over the County as delinquent. Taxes must be paid in U.S. funds and any payment made with NSF check will have processing fees attached to the corrected payment. Also there will be a 1% administration fee charged on all collected taxes which may only be used for assessing and tax collection services.

To save township funds, we will no longer mail out receipts for payments unless a self-addressed envelope is sent in with your payment. Your cancelled check and bottom portion of your tax bill will serve as a receipt.

The Treasurer will have office hours to collect taxes on the following dates and times:

December 11, 2009 10:00amB2:00pm.

December 28, 2009   9:00am - 5:00pm

March 1, 2010           9:00am - 5:00pm

Other times by appointment

Dog Licenses.  Sexed $16.00 Spayed or Neutered $8.00

B. From the DNR it is illegal to place or blow yard debris into the waterways (MCL 324.3109). Besides being illegal it contributes to weed problems in the lakes by providing nutrients to the water as the debris decays.

C. The Gladwin County Road Commission advises people not to place or burn yard debris in ditches as it causes drainage problems and contributes to weed growth.

D. Secord Township has established an ordinance which is included in the Zoning Ordinance which requires the Buy/Seller of a piece of property to have a Water/Sewer inspection performed on any existing system. The inspection will be performed by the Central Michigan District Health Dept. and a certificate will be issued by the Central Michigan District Health Dept. verifying compliance to State of Michigan standards. 

Important Phone Numbers:                                                                             

 Secord Township Phone Numbers (Note: Try to limit calls to normal business hours as all numbers are located in private residences) (9am-5pm Mon-Fri)

Supervisor: Vincent Barry, 1-989-246-0027   

Treasurer: James Cooper 426-2809                

Clerk: Kathie Hart   426-8872

Trustee: Colin Combs 426-4330

Trustee: Elaine St Louis 426-5215  

Zoning Administrator: James Carroll 426-0452

Secord Township Fire Board: Russ Norton

The Secord Township Fire Association

The Fire Association is selling Reflective Address Number Signs. The signs are designed to assist emergency response personnel in finding residences during a call for service. Cost: $15.00 for each sign or $20.00 installed.

Contact Chief. Fred Shaver 1-989-426-4846