Video/Cable Complaints

I occasionally receive calls regarding the quality of a resident's cable access.  Some calls involve billing; others are about outages; and others are about content.  Cascade Township is the franchise holder for the cable companies operating in the Township (at least those with wires on poles or undrground).  However, the Township does not have much pull to get those complaints resolved.  However, there is a department at the state level that can help you to get a complaint resolved.

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) is charged with the responsibility to handle complaints regarding cable complaints.  They ask that you follow the steps below if you have a complaint about your service:

1.  Contact  your video/cable provider and attempt to resolve your dispute.  Here the Township can help, as we have contacts that have been very willing to help resolve issues when the 'normal' channels are not working.  If your issue is not quickly resolved by calling the local or "800" number, give me a call - I will try to help.

2.  If you are dissatisfied with the provider's response to your complaint, you may file an informal complaint with the MPSC.  The phone number to call is:  1-800-292-9555.  Or you may contact the MPSC by email (www.michigan.gov/mpsc) or in writing at:  MPSC, Service Quality Division, Attn.:  Video Franchising, 6545 Mercantile Way, P. O. Box 30221, Lansing, Michigan 48909.  It will take a couple of weeks for the MPSC to review and act on your complaint.

3.  If the issue is still not resolved, then you can file a Formal Complaint and request a hearing (Note - The MPSC will require that you completed steps 1 & 2 before taking your formal complaint).  To file a formal complaint, send the MPSC a letter of complaint that explains the problem and the failure for it to be resolved informally.  The letter must contain your name, address and telephone number;  The name and adress of the provider with whom there is a disagreement; The location/address of the disputed action; The times and dates giving rise to the dispute; and, a description of exactly what happened - dates, who was contacted, what was said, and what resolution (including costs) you are trying to achieve.  You should note what section of the State law pertaining to cable companies is being violated (go online to the Michigan Public Acts, # 480 of 2006 to view a copy of the law). 

The MPSC will investigate the complaint and attempt to bring it to a resolution.  If they cannot resolve it, they will inject mediation to the issue.  At this level, things can really get complicated with parties hiring lawyers and formal hearings and such.  If you get to this step, you may find it easier to hire a lawyer rather than trying to manipulate the system alone.

Lastly, if you have a complaint about video providers not covered by state statutes (for example - satellite companies) contact the Federal Communications Commission (1-888-225-5322 or fcc.gov) to submit your complaint.          

Good luck - may you never have a problem!! 

HELP FIX THE MICHIGAN ECOMOMY

I just read a report about a way to help fix the Michigan economy!  And everyone can help!!  If the average shopper would look for and find $10 worth of Michigan products to buy each week, the result would be an extra $36 Million dollars being added to the Michigan economy!  Things like milk, eggs, flowers, turkeys, ... should be easy to find.  Some stores are starting to put up signs noting that a product is a MIM - "Made In Michigan".  For me, that would be about $5.00 per trip.  I'll bet I could find MIM even on my not-so-regular shopping trips!!!  How about you?

Flu Season is Coming

The following is a nootice from the Kent County Health Department regarding Flu Shots:

Health Notes 

A Service of the Kent County Health Department

October 2011

Flu Season is Approaching!

Yes, it is that time of year again.  Influenza, or the flu, impacts schools and the workforce, but it can be prevented.  According to the CDC, the flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. Flu viruses can spread when people with flu cough, sneeze, or even talk! Someone might also get flu by touching a surface or object (like a phone) that has flu virus on it, and then touching their own mouth, eyes, or nose.  It can cause mild to severe illness, and in severe cases, can lead to death.

Signs and symptoms:

·         Fever* or feeling feverish/chills

·         Cough and/or sore throat

·         Runny or stuffy nose

·         Muscle or body aches

·         Headaches

·         Fatigue (very tired)

·         Vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children than adults)

*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

Prevention:

·         Cover your nose and mouth with tissue when you cough or sneeze.

·         Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use alcohol-based hand rub.

·         Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, as germs spread this way.

• The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine to protect against flu viruses.  The 2011-2012 vaccine will protect against an influenza A H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus and the H1N1 virus that emerged in 2009.

·         People at high risk of serious flu complications include young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease, and people 65 years and older.

·         Health care workers and people who live with or care for high risk people to keep from spreading flu to high risk people should consider vaccinations.

·         Children younger than 6 months are at high risk of serious flu illness, but are too young to be vaccinated. People who care for them should be vaccinated instead.

Stick it to the Flu!

Be sure to check out the Kent County Health Department website, “Stick it to the Flu” at http://www.stickittotheflu.com/ to learn more about flu vaccinations, prevention tips and treatment, or call (616) 742-4FLU to make an appointment. 

WATER ON!!!

The water main at 28th & Kraft has been repaired and service has been restored.  If you were effected, it would be a good idea to flush your water lines before using it.

WATER OUTAGE!

Friday, September 16, 2011  9:45am

There is a broken water main at 28th & Kraft. Water is off for a number of the offices south and east of the corner.  The City of GR will advise businesses when the water is safe to use.  Be sure to flush your lines (let the water run) before using it for drinking.

Glycol from the Grand Rapids Airport

WOW!!!!  Things sure can get bloated out of control quickly!!  The stories about the de-icing from the airport getting into the Thornapple River have a lot of falsehoods in them!!   Here are some explanations of what you may have read or heard:

First, the de-icing liquid used at the airport is Propylene Glycol, not Ethylene Glycol.  Ethylene Glycol is uesd in vehicle radiators and is very toxic if ingested (that's why you don't let your dog lick puddles in parking lots! - it will kill them!).  Propylene Glycol, used for de-icing aircraft, is also used in some food products, food coloring, mouthwash and toothpaste.  The liquid is quick to evaporate.  When test samples were taken in the Thornapple River (when it was being used at the airport - which has been done for the last 20+ years), none was found - it had evaporated before getting there.

Second, one of the possibilities to remove the Glycol from the creek is to re-direct it from the current creek into a man-made "creek" mixed with other stormwater runoff from the airport.  The new tributary would have check dams and other additions to help the Glycol dissipate and evaporate.  The Glycol will still not make it to the Thornapple River.

Third, another possibility is to collect the Glycol and route it to the Grand Rapids Waste Water Treatment Plant.  Talks continue on this option.  There was a test of this option last winter and there may be another this year to help determine the viability of this option.

Cascade Township has and will continue to have good communications and good relations with the airport.  We will (with the airport), work towards a positive solution to the disposal of the Glycol from the airport.

Clean up the house and the yard!!

Cascade will again offer residents a chance to get rid of junk in their house and clean up brush and leaves in their yards! 

The Township will collaborate with Ada Township on Saturday, October 15th to host a "Clean-up Day".  Residents will be able to drop off unwanted items including tvs, wood, building materials, appliances (with Freon removed), furniture and other debris (no household waste) at the Road Commission Garage on Fase Street (just North of the Township from 8am to 2:30 pm.  A truck will be located at Leonard Field to accept paper.  There is no charge for this service.

From October 17th through November 21st, the Township will offer curb-side pick-up of leaves and brush at homes in the restricted burn area.  Bags and bundles of brush must have a Township tag on them.  There is a $1.00 fee for each tag which may be purchased at the Township Office.  Residents 62 years and older are eligible for up to 20 free tags per year.

Then from October 28-30 and November 19-27, the Township will have large dumpsters set at Fire Station #1 for the dumping of brush and leaves.  There is no charge for this service.

Questions????  Call the Township Office at 949-1500.   

Park Benches

The details of the park benches are finally available!  An order form is attached, along with a picture of the bench.  Call me if you have any questions!

RESERVE A PARK BENCH IN PEACE, BURTON PARKS

Residents are now able to purchase a park bench to be placed in various locations in both Peace Park (Bolt & Grand River area) and Burton Park (Burton & Cascade area).  The six-foot long benches will be placed in the next few months and will have a name-plate attached to them letting visitiors know who the bench honors.  A picture of the bench will be added to this blog sooon.  The cost for a bench (with marker) is $500.00.

If you are interested, please call the Township Office (949-1500) to make your reservation.  The first benches should arrive in Mid July.

Grand Rapids Water Quality Report

The Grand Rapids Water Quality Report is now available for viewing on our website!  The 2010 Report (DEQ always put it out the next June) indicates that Grand Rapids water (that you drink if connected to the municipal water system in Cascade) is devoid of contaminants!  The water is tested daily at the plant (way more often than I tested my well when I had one!), and is treated constantly to be sure our water is of a high quality.  Two tests for chemicals that stood out when I read the report were the Flouride and Lead levels in our water.  You may be aware that Grand Rapids adds Flouride to the water to promote strong teeth.  The level is less than 1/2 of the maximum allowed.  The Lead level is at 4 parts per billion; 15 is the maximum allowed.  This maximum may be decreased in the near future.  I'v heard it cold go as low as 3 ppb.  Grand Rapids is ready with a plan if it is found that they need to remove more Lead from the water.

Overall, our water is very safe!!!  Drink up!

ONE KENT

The One Kent Study Committee has meet twice without making much progress.  It appears that the 21 people  on the committee received different marching orders from the three people that set up the committee (Mr. Deems - One Kent; Mayor Heartwell - City of Grand Rapids; Commission Chair Parrish - Kent County).  They are expected to be at the next meeting (June 29th) to resolve thse issues so the committee cna get down to discussing the best ways for the County and City (and others) to best work together in the future.  Stay tuned!

HOT & DUSTY!!!!

The gravel roads in Cascade Township will be treated for dust on Friday, June 10th.  If there are any questions about this process, please call the Township Office at 949-1500.

Memorial Day, 2011

There will be a Memorial Day Program next Monday at the Cascade Branch of the Kent District Library. The program will start at 10am at the flag pole in front of the library, if the weather permits.  If the weather is wet, the event will be held in the Wisner Center which is attached to the library.

The speaker this year is Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Melvin A. Bauman.  LTC Bauman  has a long military history, having begun his career in 1965 with the United States Army.  He currently has the title of Reserve Army Ambassador, working out of the U. S. Army Reserve Center in Walker.

 The Third Michigan Infantry, Company F Reinactors (Civil War) will be on hand to handle the salute to the fallen military personnel.

The Forest Hills Central High school Jazz Band will provide music for the event.

The program is put on annually by the Cascade American Legion, McDonald-Osmer Post #451 and the Cascade Fire Department.

Bussing Options

Kent County is in the process of winding up a study of the future of bussing and bus service in the Greater Grand Rapids, area.  Public presentations of the transit needs assessment study will be made at various locations in the county during the week of May 23rd.  They are:

May 23rd - 6:30 p.m. - MDOT Grand Rapids Offices (Leonard & I-96).
May 24th - 6:30 p.m. - Lowell City Hall.
May 25th - 2:00 p.m. - Cedar Springs City Hall
May 25th - 6:30 p.m. - Gaines Township Hall
May 26th - 9:30 a.m. - Hope Network Offices, 755 - 36th St.
May 26th - 6:30 p.m. - Plainfield Township Hall

The study will be presented to the Grand Valley Metro Council Board on June 2nd, then go the the County Board shortly thereafter.  The final, written study will be published in July.

Hope you can attend one of the presentations!

Garlic Mustard

There is a Garlic Mustard pull scheduled for this Saturday, May 14th from 10am to Noon at the Cascade Peace Park.  Meet at the Grand River entrance to the park at10am.  What is Garlic Mustard?  Here is the definition from the Mighigan State University Extension Website:
     Garlic mustard is an exotic invasive plant from Europe that invades woodland habitats in North America and impacts forest biodiversity. In some woodlands, dense stands of garlic mustard in the spring threaten showy spring blooming ephemerals like spring beauty, trilliums and trout lilies. Other research points toward potentially negative impacts on timber species and forest health. Many land managers consider it to be one of the most potentially harmful and difficult to control invasive plants in the region.

If someone will volunteer to be the 'team-leader', there is an opportunity to remove Garlic Mustard from the Burton Park.  I heard from Mr. & Mrs. Kramer (neighbors to the park) today; they filled four garbage bags with Garlic Mustard from Burton Park today.  but there is more there.  Any takers?  Call me (949-1500) to set up a pull.

Thanks!!!

RECYCLE WEEKEND!

There are three recycle opportunities for residents this weekend in Cascade.

First, there is a document shredding event at Family Fare on Saturday (4/30) from 9am to Noon.  The Forest Hills Business Association is sponsoring the event.  They are asking for donations of $5.00 per box of papers with all the money going to The American Cancer Society.

Second is a prescription drug "Take Back" Day on Saturday (4/30) from 10am to 2pm at the Sheriff's office (701 Ball Avenue NE).  This event is an effort to keep unneeded or unwanted drugs from getting into the wrong hands (kids, theft, water supply, ...). 

And lastly, the Township will have dumpsters available at the Township Office all weekend for residents to "recycle" their leaves and brush.  Please remember to not deposit any plastic bags in the dumpsters.

Have Fun!

East Precinct Office Hours

The East Precinct of the Kent County Sheriff Department is a cooperative effort between the Sheriff and the three "East Precinct" Townships of Grand Rapids, Ada and Cascade.  The townships entered into a cost-sharing agreement with the sehriff to have dedicated patrol officers in our three townships 24 hours each and every day in additiona to the normal staffing for our area.  We also share the cost of operating the East Precinct Office located at 877 Forest Hill SE (just north and west of the intersection of Forest Hill & Cascade Roads).

The hours that the office is staffed has been reduced to keep costs in line.  The office is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  This office can be used for all sheriff-related activities and inquiries.  The telephone number is 632-6394.  If the office is closed, the call will automatically be forwarded to the Main Office at 601 Ball Street.

Letter to Cascade's State Senator and Legislator

This week I wrote a letter to both State Senator Hildenbrand and State Representative Yonker to show them what Cascade has done to meet the proposals put forth by Governor Snyder in recent weeks.  I have attached one of the letters here for your review.  As you will read, cascade did not wait for bad times to begin being careful to spend the public's money wisely; the Township has done that all along.

April 5, 2011

The Honorable David Hildenbrand, Senator

State of Michigan

P. O. Box 30036

Lansing, Michigan 48909-7536

Re:      Simple, Fair & Efficient Government Service

Dear Senator Hildenbrand:

Recent appearances and comments made by Governor Snyder and many State Senators and Representatives have driven me to write to you.  It is imperative that you be aware of the work being accomplished in local government to control costs, work collaboratively with our neighbors and continue to provide quality services to our citizens.

I have attached a copy of a recent letter to Governor Snyder that details what Cascade Charter Township has done in the realm of cooperation and collaboration to be more efficient in the delivery of our services to the public. 

It has been said that public government health care costs are out of line.  At a recent Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce meeting, it was stated that average health care premiums are $19,700 per year for public employees and that the employees pay less than 10% of these costs.  Please note that health care premiums for Cascade Township employees are not close to this figure.  Our premiums range from $3,357/year for a single employee to $10,547/year for an employee with a family.  Employees pay either 10% or 18% of these premiums (we have two plans), but no one has any insurance until they spend $1,200 (single) or $2,400 (family) on health care including prescription drugs.  Therefore, a typical employee with medical costs pays about 33% of their health care coverage costs per year.  The Township paid $286,011 toward health care premiums in 2006; this year the Township will pay $239,000 toward the premiums.  This is an excellent track record considering the double-digit raises imposed by the insurance industry during this time.  The reason Cascade is spending less is due to changes made in the plans and more costs being absorbed by the employees.  Lastly (and most importantly for financial concerns), Cascade offers no retirement health plans regardless of the age that an employee retires.  We have no health-related legacy costs!            

Another argument made concerning the cost of government is the costly retirement plans many locals offer.    Cascade Township enrolled (in 2004) in a defined benefit retirement plan.  The Township did something a bit out of the ordinary by limiting its exposure to 10% of wages paid into the plan.  Every year we receive an actuarial so we can determine the rate of contribution by employees the following year.  This year it is 5.5%.  The employer rate remains at 10%.  The Township Board feels they are doing a good job of controlling wages and retirement costs by following this plan.  The significant part of this arrangement is that the board keeps a close eye on it and will make changes before costs cause a problem for our budgets.

I believe Cascade Charter Township is doing a good job of controlling costs, serving the public and doing it in a transparent fashion.  Our budgets have been available online and at our front counter.  We will attempt to enter the data into the “dashboard”, but feel it is time consuming and not necessary.  Every municipality has to file an F-65 form each year that is available to view on the state website.  This appears to be a simple, fair and efficient way to review our financial condition and doesn’t require any more time than what we already spend on an annual basis.

This letter was written to inform you that not all governmental units operate in the manner that is portrayed at legislative breakfasts or expressed by some of your colleagues.  Please keep the Cascade model in mind as you move bills through the legislative process in Lansing.  Contact me if you wish to discuss any local items at any time.

Sincerely,

William T. Cousins III

Township Manager

Letter to Governor Snyder

I recently wrote to the Governor to advise him of the actions Cascade has taken over the years to be financially responsible to our citizens.  The letter is printed below. 

March 23, 2011

The Honorable Rick Snyder, Governor

State of Michigan

P. O. Box 30013

Lansing, Michigan 48909

Re:      Service Sharing and Consolidation

Dear Governor Snyder:

The speech you gave in Grand Rapids Monday was most informative.  You laid out a lot of ideas and plans for the local governments around the state.  I thought it might be helpful for one local government to provide you with some input about our services.  Cascade Charter Township has been involved with our neighbors in collaborative efforts long before revenue sharing issues appeared on anyone’s radar.  The following is a list of our collaborative and consolidation efforts in Cascade to date:

·         Cascade provides building construction inspection services (including plan reviews prior to building permit issuance) to other municipalities (since 1990).  We currently provide inspection services for one city and four townships in addition to ours (six total).  The process is seamless for the “customer” communities; we keep in close touch with them to keep it that way.  By providing this service, all six communities are able to offer their residents and construction industry the expertise of full-time, well trained, highly skilled professional inspectors and support staff. 

·         Cascade, Ada and Grand Rapids Townships worked together in 2000 to create the “East Precinct” of the Kent County Sheriff Department.  The residents of the three communities wanted more police support than the Sheriff could provide.  The Sheriff was willing to create a separate precinct that would function similarly to a separate police department.  The townships pay the County for this service.  From it we have three deputies on patrol 24/7, an office for the public to use to make reports and obtain information, a community policing officer dedicated to the three townships and the necessary detective and command staff to make the precinct a success.  The three townships recently purchased our own “speed trailer” to be used to deter speeding in our townships.  Each township has use of the trailer for a week at a time, and we coordinate the use with the deputies so they can provide follow-up enforcement after the trailer has been used at a particular location.  The Sheriff and the three townships meet regularly to insure the success of this mission.  The residents are very supportive of the East Precinct.  In Cascade they funded the precinct through the passage of a dedicated millage. 

·         In 2007, Cascade Township entered into an agreement with Grand Rapids Township to receive fire inspection services from Grand Rapids Township.  The contract inspector performs required safety checks of all our industrial and commercial buildings in the township on a ½ time basis.  The program has functioned well as both communities utilize a full-time, well trained inspector that provides quality, consistent inspection criteria to both townships.  

·         In previous years, Cascade Township has participated in cooperative efforts with our neighbors from the East Beltline Committee to the Four Corners Committee to the 28^th Street Committee, al involved with planning and economic development of their respective corridors that affected multiple municipalities.

·         Cascade Township, the City of Kentwood and Gaines Township combined forces in the late 1990’s to form the Tri-com Hazmat Team.  By combining forces, we were able to provide a quality hazmat response model to all three communities for the cost of just one team.  We are fortunate to not need the team very often; however, it is very comforting to know it is always ready and the cost is much lower than if we had to provide the service to each community separately. 

·         Cascade, Ada & Grand Rapids Townships have met to attempt to consolidate our fire departments into one.  These discussions have gone on for about four years.  The sticking point that prevents us from moving forward is the state requirement to adopt the highest and best wages and benefits for the employees and the fact that one township does not employee full-time firefighters today, requiring them to spend about $300,000 to improve their fire station to be equipped for 24 hour use.  I believe that if we could resolve the housing issue without increasing our costs, the townships could successfully consolidate the three departments into one.

·         The Kent County Drain Commission has assisted Cascade Township over the years with local drain maintenance and improvements.  This has allowed us to have a lot of improvements made using county employees and saving the Township from having to hire contractors or employees to do the work.  We continue to enjoy this relationship today.

·         For over twenty years, Cascade Township has purchased water and sewer services from the City of Grand Rapids.  The City provides this service to us along with at least eight other communities.  A Utility Advisory Board was created with representation from all the customer communities to make recommendations to the City Commission regarding the operation and improvements to the system.  We meet monthly to discuss any issue affecting the cost and service levels of the system.  

·         You noted that the MEDC will be setting up office in the Right Place facility to help foster Economic Development in West Michigan.  The Right Place is another cooperative effort in the region (started by the Grand Rapids Chamber) and supported by both public and private funds.  Cascade works closely with the Right Place to assist in the economic growth of the region.  We could never afford to do this on our own.   

·         Often passed over during discussions regarding sharing of services is the use of neighboring fire departments to supplement each other at emergency scenes.  Cascade has mutual aid with all our neighbors (and automatic aid with some) to complement our resources and assist others to enhance theirs.    

·         The region created the Grand Valley Metropolitan Council a number of years ago to foster coordination of efforts for all transportation issues, be the regional metropolitan planning organization (MPO), work together on road projects and provide solid communication regarding legislative issues that affect our region.  Through our work with GVMC, we participate with the road commission to repair our local road structure.  We split the cost of such work with the road commission.  We also collaborate to collectively have the use of a regional GIS computer software for tracking all our infrastructure. 

·         Twice each year, we partner with Ada Township and the Kent County Road Commission to offer a Clean-up Day for our residents.  They can bring almost any unwanted item to a centrally located road commission garage to be recycled or disposed of.  Ada & Cascade share the cost – the residents love the free service.

·         The July Fourth Fireworks are enhanced by Ada & Cascade contributing to one show rather than two smaller shows.  We work together to provide a good location, suitable fire support and, of course, patrol by the East Precinct.  We used to put this on at a school (more cooperation), but moved when they started a long-range construction project.  We now partner with Amway for parking (free) at a new location.  The show goes on with public and private partnerships flourishing!

·         Cascade Township has participated in a door-to-door “para-transit” bus service since 1999.  Many other townships participate in this endeavor.  Seniors and disabled residents are able to access the low cost bus service to go all over the metropolitan region for any purpose they desire (medical, shopping, dining,), seven days per week.  The Township supplements the fees to make the service possible – it would cost us twice as much to create our own transit service for these otherwise homebound residents.

·         Cascade Township has worked with the local school district (Forest Hills Public schools), Ada Township and the Kent County Road Commission to plan for the installation of sidewalks to a local junior high/high school complex and have the road widened to provide easier left turns along the route to school.  We jointly held public information sessions (at the high school) for the project, reworked the project after considering the public’s input, and are preparing to schedule the project for the 2012 construction season.

·         The Gerald R. Ford International Airport is located in Cascade Township.  We meet quarterly with the airport administration to discuss construction projects, noise issues and airport operations.  We are currently working with the airport to resolve a discharge issue involving the use of deicing liquids in the colder months.

·         We recently started to hold meetings with Ada & Grand Rapids Townships to work on a consolidation of some of our ordinances.  We have started with the Solicitation Ordinance with the goal that our police will only have to enforce one version of the ordinance, not three.

·         Lastly, Cascade is in the process of meeting with Grand Rapids Township to share our planning services.  I expect to see this collaboration move into reality within the next two months.

We continue to look at ways to improve our service to our residents while keeping our costs in check as best we can.

The efforts listed above would, I expect, be more than enough to satisfy the consolidated services portion of your requirement to release 1/3 of the statutory revenue sharing for Cascade Township, Ada Township and Grand Rapids Township.  Unfortunately, none of us are receiving those monies now.  Cascade had its statutory revenue sharing reduced starting in 2001 and it was eliminated in 2005-6.

I believe we could easily meet the requirements for the other two legs of the revenue sharing stool as we have had our budget online for years (converting it to the “dashboard” will be easy).  On the compensation leg, our employees have a high deductible health plan with effectively no insurance until they (family) pay $2,500 in medical bills.  They pay either 10% or 18% of the premium.  The township’s cost is about $70,000 less than we paid in 2005.  The township moved into a defined benefit plan in 2004, but made it clear to the employees that the Township contribution would not exceed 10% of payroll.  Currently, the employees contribute 5% into the plan.  

Please advise me if you would like more detail about any of these efforts.  Cascade looks forward to working with you to improve Michigan and continue to provide our residents with quality government services.

Sincerely,

William T. Cousins III

Township Manager 

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

Oh!  How time flys!  We need to wish our wonderful Cascade Township a belated happy anniversary!!!  Sunday was the 163rd anniversary of the founding of Cascade Township!!!  The township was created in 1848.  I'll bet that first summer was something!  Think of it....Cascade Road was probably a trail then.  The Cascade Dam was 86 years away from being built.   The State was only 11 years old.  What an exciting time for those who preceded us in the making of this township.  Happy Anniversary
Cascade! 

2010 Census Numbers for Cascade Townhsip

The 2010 Census data for the State of Michigan stated to be released today.  The official 2010 population for Cascade Charter Township is 17,134, up by 2,027 from the 2000 Census.  That is a 13.4% increase in 10 years.  The effect for Cascade is that we will see an increase in our Constitutional Revenue Sharing (per capita) from the State of Michigan.  Yea!

Complete Census data for the State of Michigan can be viewed at

http://www.michigan.gov/cgi/0,1607,7-158-54534_51713_51716-252541--,00.html

Construction Season is Here! I-96 & 28th Street Work starting this week!

1.    The bridge work on I-96 at 28^th Street is expected to start on March 24^th.  It will be a messy, fourteen-week project.  The freeway will be reduced to one lane each way starting in April (they need to pave the crossovers first), shifting all travel to one bridge so they can work on the other one.  Then in May, switch bridges.  When the west-bound bridge is closed, the west-bound exit to east-bound 28^th Street will remain open.  To go west on 28^th, a driver will have to go to Cascade Road, exit, re-enter the freeway going east, then exit at 28^th Street.  When the east-bound bridge is closed, the east-bound exit to west-bound 28^th street will remain open.  This exit will be revised at the light so that cars can turn BOTH left and right onto 28^th Street.  The bridge closures are expected to take up ½ of the project.  The bridges (and all of our sidewalk retaining walls) are expected to be painted (MDOT Beige) during the project.  We are told that 28^th Street will maintain two-lane travel each way during the project, but the left-turn lanes may be eliminated (during the project).  This should entice more people to take the back-ways (36^th & 33^rd and Burton St.) to get to the shops in the Costco/Target/Smoky Bones areas.  The project is expected to be completed by June 30^th.       

LOTS OF SNOW!

We are still cleaning up the snow on pathways and sidewalks from last Wednesday's storm!  The pahtways and sidewalks closest to the roads have been extremely difficult as the snow is much heavier as the road plowings are thrown onto the snow on the paths.  Our plow trucks are not able to move that heavy of a snow-pack, and our snowblower has not been working as it should (it is at the repair shop as we speak!).  We have brough in outside help and have most of Cascade Road opened up now.  Be patient, we will have all the paths and sidewalks cleaned up soon!

   

Park Benches - Coming soon to the open space parks

The Township will soon make a decision on the style of benches to install in the Peace and Burton Parks.  Benches will be placed along the trail from the parking lots uphill to the “meadow” area in Peace Park so those in need of a break while traversing the hills will have a place to sit.  Benches will be installed in a few areas of Burton Park so visitors can enjoy the solitude of the park during a walk.

The benches will be able to be purchased by a resident and marked as a memorial for a loved one with the placement of a plaque or engraving on a bench.  The cost of the benches has not been finalized, but will most likely be in the $400 - $1,000 range.  Call the office at 949-1500 if you are interested in purchasing a memorial bench in honor of a loved one.

House Moved - Wind Generator in Place

The caretaker house in the Burton Park was finally moved to its new location at the top of Windcrest last week.  The house (now at 7000 Windcrest) made the trip over a two day period.  It is now sitting on the new foundation.  The old basement has been filled in, and will need to be regraded when the frost is out of the ground this spring (careful, the ground is pretty rough in this area now!).  The "meadow" area really looks big without the house in the center of it! 

The log awaited wind and solar generator at the Library was also put up last week.  The generator is operating and is connected to a display in the Library indicating the amount of electricity being produced.  The project (initiated by Township Clerk Ron Goodyke) will provide a wonderful resource for students studying the effects of wind and solar energy on our daily lives.    

Caretaker House to Move this Week

The long-awaited action to move the caretaker house out of the Cascade Burton Park is finally upon us!  The house moving company is expected to arrive tomorrow (Wednesday, January 12th) to start the procees to lift the house off the foundation and move it to its new resting place at the top of Windcrest Street (just outside the park).  The buyer has the new basement poured and ready to accept the house.  As soon as it is moved, the old foundation will be filled in and become part of the meadow in the center of the park.