By Megan Decker
Staff Writer
DENMARK TOWNSHIP — The Denmark Township Board of Trustees passed a resolution during its regular session on Monday requesting the assistance of Tuscola County in the acquisition and financing of the township’s 2013 Water Project.
According to the resolution, Denmark Township has determined that it is necessary for the public health, safety and welfare of the township to construct water extension projects to serve Denmark Township and to assist in Gilford Township’s efforts and Tuscola County has established a Department of Public Works with authority to acquire and finance improvements such as these.
In the resolution, the board determined that it is impractical and financially undesirable for the township to take on the project alone.
“The Township hereby requests the assistance of the County in the acquisition and financing of the Project under the terms of act 185, the Project to be operated, administered and maintained by the Township after construction.”
The resolution was moved for adoption by Treasurer Dennis Weber and supported by Supervisor Charles Heinlein. The motion passed by a 4-1 vote. Trustee Steve Schwab cast the sole “no” vote.
Schwab asked to see several documents during the session which he wanted to review before making a proper decision, he explained.
“The citizens voted to not bond this project and what are our future ramifications (if we move forward with this project),” Schwab asked during Monday’s meeting. “I can’t make a proper decision without the proper documents.
“As a board member, I deserve that respect.”
The Denmark Township board brought the resolution to the Tuscola County Board of Commissioners on Thursday.
According to Tuscola County Controller Mike Hoagland, the commissioners tabled the issue and will further review the facts and figures before bringing it back for a vote.
“They will be weighing all of their options,” Hoagland said.
Residents of Denmark Township defeated a bond proposal for Denmark Township’s water issue in August. The defeat means that Denmark Township is not able to pledge its full faith and credit in order to move forward with the loan and would need the county’s backing to move forward with the project.
The proposal on the water project was placed on the ballot by referendum, which means enough signatures of registered voters were gathered on a petition to put the board’s decision to do a water project to a vote of the people. And, the people said “no.” By a 57 vote margin, voters defeated the ballot proposal for the $2.4 million water-supply system improvements bond proposal. The vote was defeated with 497 no votes to 440 yes votes.
The board started the second water project on Sept. 30, 2013, when they received a petition to create two special assessment districts to fund a municipal water project. The plan for the last project was to work with Civil Engineering Consultants, Inc., to use part of the engineering plans from the failed 2010 water project as well as the $1 million grant from the USDA the township qualified for from the previous water project, and issue $1.4 million in capital improvement bonds to finance the project.