Still no change from MDOT on turn light

Published 6:59 pm Tuesday, February 7, 2006

By By ANDY HAMILTON / Niles Daily Star
NILES TOWNSHIP - In recent discussions with a member of the Michigan Department of Transportation, Trustee Richard Noble learned the state still will not be installing a turn light on M-51 in front of Lowe's.
Noble said he told MDOT that the township would continue monitoring the intersection.
Other reports delivered at the Niles Township Board of Trustees meeting Monday night included information that a pair of resurfacing projects by the Berrien County Road Commission that were scheduled for this year are now being moved back. The stretch of Stateline Road from M-51 to Third Street as well as Niles-Buchanan Road from Buchanan to Mayflower Road were both scheduled to be completed in 2008. The projects were moved in favor of completing the project on Red Bud Trail from Red Bud to US 12.
A petition from the public concerning the condition of a neighborhood was also presented to the board. Bob Shoemaker addressed the board about appearance and safety issues in the Oak Manor neighborhood. Shoemaker said there are too many trash containers being left too close to the road. He also expressed his concern for the amount of people parking vehicles on lawns and sidewalks in the area and how it is affecting residents, mainly children.
No immediate action can be taken but the board said the issue would be looked into further.
The board also has extended hours in order to allow residents enough time to pay taxes. The headquarters at 320 Bell Road will be open on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 9 a.m. to noon, and on Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 13 and 14 until 8 p.m. for people to pay property taxes and purchase dog licenses. In the past, the building was open every Saturday in February.
The board also told voters what to expect in the upcoming bond proposal election. Township Clerk Marge Durm-Hiatt said, because the election involves the entire school district, absentee voters in Niles Township will be receiving their ballots from the city of Niles and not the township. Voters should also make sure they know where they are registered to vote because the sites were changed in May.
The board also approved the purchase of a new vehicle for the township's building department. The accepted bid of $29,219.36 for the 2006 Ford Expedition SUV came from Campbell Ford. After a government price concession ($3,700), a five-vehicle trade-in ($12,700) and a service contract from the dealership, the final purchase cost equalled $12,186.54. Relieving the township of the five vehicles - two Ford Crown Victorias, two Jeeps and a Ford Explorer - was a big part of the deal.
The new SUV will take eight to 10 weeks to deliver.
Smoke alarms are available from the fire department in Niles Township as well, the board said. They are free and can be installed at no charge by the department. Ringler said those interested can contact either the fire department or the township.
One correction was made by the board from the previous meeting. The water improvement project that was accepted as resolution 05-18 was changed to 06-01 because it was the first resolution adopted in the new year.
The next meeting for Niles Township will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 21 instead of Monday because of Presidents' Day.
Trustee Kevin Tonkin was named Chair for the meeting because Supervisor William Myers was recuperating from an operation.
The board went into closed session to discuss fire department contracts.