Water/Sewer Rates drop in 2013

Cascade residents and building owners will see their water & sewer rates reduce in 2013.  Cutbacks in staffing and numerous energy saving efforts by the City of Grand Rapids have resulted in lower rates.

Water users in Cascsde willl notice that their average bill will drop by 4.96% in 2013.

Sewer users will see  a 5.19% drop in their quarterly bills.

This should result in a typical bill (water & sewer) being about $13.22 less than in 2012.

There are some areas of increase that you should be aware of.  If a residential property owner (not currently connected) pays their front footage fee in 2012, the cost is $61.00 per foot.  In 2013, this will increase to $75.00 per foot.  For a residence with 100' of lot width, the increase would be $1,400.00.

For commercial properties, the fee changes from $94.00 to $110.00.

It may be worthwhile to connect or at least set up a payment plan in 2012 to avoid the increase.

Please acll Sandra Korhorn at the Township office (949-1500) if you have any questions regarding these changes.

POWER OUTAGES SUNDAY

The recent power outage Sunday (11/11) has created a lot of calls to the Township office to find out why there was an outage on a sunny, 70 degree day.


The official word I got from Consumers was:

_______________________

The Cascade sub saw two outages Sunday.

11:49 AM - CASCADE SUB - The Cascade Circuit locked out due to failure of an underground Primary line just outside the substation. 1434 customers were interrupted: 535 customers were restored after 327 minutes (5.5 hours). 899 customers remained off.
7:10 PM - CASCADE SUB - The Cascade Circuit locked out again during the isolation process. 535 customers were interrupted for 28 minutes. 899 customers were interrupted for 578 minutes. The underground fault was isolated.
________________________

 

The township will continue to work with Consumers to push for system improvements to minimize outages such as these. 

 

Consumers recently put a new sub-station on line (Spaulding, south of Cascade Road) to reduce the number and length of outages in the area.  They also do a lot of tree-trimming to keep outages from happening.  Consumers is also working on a plan to improve the reliability of the system in the area affected by Sunday' outage. 

 

SHAKE YOUR MAILBOX!

This Saturday, October 20th, has been set for the fourth annual "Shake Your Mailbox" day in Michigan!.. Governor Snyder recently made the proclaimation in order to help redue the number of mailboxes damaged this Winter from snow and snow plows.  The campaign stated as a statewide initiative in 2009. 

The County Road Association of Michigan reports that a loose mailbox may not withstand standard snow removal operations; it should be repaired or replaced so that you have fewer headaches this winter. 

This is also a good time to replace worn hinges on mailbox doors and repaint or replace reflective house numbers so the postal worker or emergency responder can find your home more easily.

Enjoy!!

Thornapple River Drawdown Today

The Thornapple River above the Cascade Dam is in the process of being drawn down today.  The lower water levels will continue to be low until Monday morning.  The lower water levels provide better access for homeowners on the River to be able to remove their docks for the Winter.  However, there is more to it than that. 

The lowering of the river also provides the opportunity for the company that lease the Cascade Dam to inspect the dam and underwater equipment and make repairs and adjustments if necessary.  This is an important inspection for the dam, as it is imperative that it function safely not only for the creation of electricity, but for the safety of those residents living both upstream and downstream of the dam.  A sudden drop of water level could have major impacts to docks, boats, and (especially downstream) houses.  This safety check is done in the Spring (April) and Fall (October) every year. 

So, while you see the waterfront home-owners removing their boats and docks this weekend, Keep in mind there is also a major safety check going on at the dam.

P.S. - This process will be repeated at the Ada Dam in two weeks.

CASCADE TOWNSHIP RECEIVES HIGH CREDIT RATING

 Cascade Township’s credit rating was confirmed by Standard & Poors to be AA+ /stable in a recent review of the township’s finances.  S&P’s report stated that “The Township’s financial performance remains very strong, due in part to strong levy support and conservative budgeting.”  S&P reviews the township’s financial status every two years.

Cascade Township has reported positive financial operations in the last four fiscal years and continues to provide full service to its residents through sound financial management practices and review by staff and the Township Board.  We have an excellent finance team that works hard to insure our residents receive maximum return on their tax dollars.  Senior Accountant Mildred Pinder, Deputy Treasurer Oxana Sourine and Account Clerk Debbie Amos examine every detail of each transaction to be sure that our funds are being managed properly.  The Township’s Finance Committee, comprised of Trustees Jim Koessel (Chair), Treasurer Ken Pierce and Trustee Goldberg monitor the Township’s financial practices closely to verify their continued excellence.

S&P reported that the stable outlook of the township’s finances reflects their anticipation that the township will maintain its very secure fund balance due to a strong employment   and strong tax base in Cascade.  The fund balance provides a cushion against any unexpected budgetary challenges in the future.  The Township has have been through four ‘down’ years and managed to add to our reserves each year.  We are in great financial condition!

 The complete S&P report can be found on the township’s website:  www.cascadetwp.com

COUSINS TO RETIRE

The time has come for me retire from government service.  I have worked in local government in Michigan since 1989  and have enjoyed every minute!  I have been epsecially fortunate to have worked in Cascade Township for the last five years.  My wife and I plan to stay in our home in the Township after retiring - this is truely a great place to live!!!

I gave my board a lot of notice so they can find a suitable  replacement and have him or her on board before I leave.

My last day with the Township will be January 25, 2013.

HOUSHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE - JULY 14TH

Cascade and Ada Townships are going together to hold a Household Hazardous Waste Collection day on Saturday, July 14th at Station #2 of the Cascade Fire Department.  This service will be offered free-of-charge to all Cascade and Ada residents (residential waste only).  The collection point will be in the rear lot of the building, located at 2990 Buttrick from 9am to 1pm.  The following items are typical of what can be dropped off: 

      Weed killer, fertilizer, rodent & bug spray, lighter fluid, pool chemicals, deck sealer & cleaner, oil-based paint and stain (NO LATEX PAINTS), paint thinner, adhesives and glue, antifreeze, motor oil, automotive fluids, gas & oil mix, washer fluid, auto batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, mercury thermometers and thermostats, batterise and aerosol cans.  A few items are not accepted such as:  any pills or other drugs, refillable propane tanks, ammunition or fireworks. 

If you are unclear about anything you want to dispose of, call Kent County Recycle at 336-2467 for more information.

FIREWORKS

In my last post, I noted that recreational fires are being discouraged due to the dry conditions.  I need to add the shooting off of fireworks to that list.  We have had a couple of grass fires (resulting from fireworks) in the last few days that could get quite dangerous if not caught and controlled right away.  Please consider your neighbors homes (if not your own), and refrain from shooting off fireworks until we get some rain.

FIRE DANGER IS HIGH!

Due to the extremely dry weather, Cascade Township has discontinued issuing burn permits.  Until we have some significant rain, the safety of our residents dictates that no burning be done in the Township.  We are also asking that residents refrain from igniting recreational fires during this period of dry weather.  If you have any questions, give me a call at 949-1500 x 213.

DUSTY ROADS

Mt grandfather's nickname was "Dusty Rhoads".   Back to the regularly scheduled program............

The gravel roads in Cascade Township are scheduled to be treated to reduce the amount of dust on them starting on July 5th.  this years has been very tough on the gravel roads as there needs to be SOME moisture for the treatment to work.  Hopefully, the weather will cooperate and help adhere the traetment to the roads to cut down on the dust for the rest of the summer!

Experience the Thornapple River

I have attached a piece (below) from the Thornapple River Expedition that may be of interest to you!  One piece of the river tour goes through Cascade.............  Sounds like a fun river trip!!!

Expedition and Clean Up Planned for the Thornapple River

Contact:  Joanne Barnard (269) 948-8056 or joanne.barnard@mi.nacdnet.net

The Thornapple River Watershed Council is busy this year planning for the first ever Thornapple River Expedition, scheduled for August 6-11, 2012 and for the 17^th Annual Thornapple River Clean Up on September 15, 2012.  Both events are aimed at raising awareness and citizen involvement in water quality issues while promoting local, family-friendly recreation.  Both events offer opportunities for individuals, groups and businesses to get involved to help showcase the river and its surrounding communities.

The Expedition will be a six-day tour of the Thornapple.  Day one will kick off with an opening luncheon and a road tour of water quality improvement projects in the upper portion of the watershed in Eaton County.  Sites include a planned 650 acre wetland restoration, Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program practices at work on farms to protect water quality, and state- and federal-sponsored projects to improve the Thornapple River.  Days two through six will be a paddling trip on the Thornapple River from Vermontville to its confluence with the Grand River in Ada.  Participants may choose to complete the whole expedition or sign up for day, half-day or multi-day trips.  Each day will include educational events focused on history, wildlife and aquatic life, water quality and river restoration projects.  Meals and camp sites are provided for registered participants.  Lunch and evening stops are planned to highlight the Thornapple’s communities and their tourism and recreation attractions.  Over 100 paddlers are expected to complete the Expedition, with dozens of community members joining in for shorter trips.  The Watershed Council is seeking volunteers and sponsors who can help organize and support meals and activities for paddlers when they arrive in each town.  For a full itinerary, registration information and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.thornappleriver.org, email TRWC@thornappleriver.org, or phone the Barry Conservation District at (269) 948-8056.  Also look for a link to our Expedition blog starting in late July at www.thornappleriver.org.

The 17^th Annual Thornapple River Clean Up, planned for Saturday, September 17, will stretch from Vermontville to Ada, including portions of the Coldwater River.  This annual event draws approximately 150 volunteers to collect trash from the river.  Each year, nearly 60 cubic yards of trash are removed from the river.  Local liveries, restaurants and businesses provide boats to carry out the clean up and lunch for volunteers after the work is completed, as well as support for waste hauling and recycling. A grant from the Great Lakes Commission to the Barry Conservation District will help defray costs for clean-up supplies and transportation.   This year, teams will start in Vermontville, Nashville, Hastings, Middleville, Alto, Alaska and Ada.  If you are interested in volunteering for the 17^th Annual Thornapple River Clean Up – either to help plan the event or to take part in it - or if you would like to support the event, contact the Watershed Council at TRWC@thornappleriver.org or phone the Barry Conservation District at (269)-948-8056.

The Thornapple River Watershed Council is a non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to protecting, preserving and enhancing the quality, aesthetic and recreational value of the Thornapple River Watershed through education, planning and management.

Cascade Township Road Work underway

You may have notied the dust on Thornapple River Drive in front of the Tassell Park - this is phase one of a repair process to the road there.  In July, The Road Commission will apply an overlay to the road, making it nice and smooth for us to drive on!  Can't wait!

The Road Commission has already completed a rework of Kraft Avenue (north of 52nd Street) to remove the potholes in the road.  Other road improvement projects for this summer include:

  Cherry Valley from 36th to Cascade Rd.)
  45th Street from Cascade road to Whitneyville Road
  Galbraith from Cascade Road south to the end.
  Briarcliff from Thornapple River to end
  Kenrob (& Kenrob Ct.) from Cascade Rd. East to end.
  Windcrest from Thornapple River Drive West to end.

What Does Cascade Township Do?

I thought it might be worthwhile to list some fo the things that the Township does.  Listed below are the things that the Township is required to do, and the additional things that the residents want the Township to do:

  

CASCADE TOWNSHIP FACTS

1.    What does Cascade Charter Township do?  The following items are required by law for a Township to provide for its residents:

·         Assess real and personal property.

·         Conduct elections (up to four per year).

·         Collect taxes for the township, schools (three districts in Cascade), county and state.  Distribute taxes to those entities as collected.

2.    What else do we do?

·         Provide fire protection service 24-7 with a fulltime staff..  Cascade cooperates with the City of Kentwood, City of Grand Rapids, Caledonia Township, Lowell Township and Ada Township for mutual aid on all calls.  Cascade operates two fire stations and a total of four fire trucks.  There are 17 fulltime firefighters and 18 paid-on-call firefighters on the department.

·         Provide emergency medical services to the Township (including two freeways).  Cascade has three emergency medical vehicles for such calls.

·         Provide police services in addition to the standard state & county patrols (the East Precinct, at a cost of over $1M is provided by in a cooperative effort by Ada, Grand Rapids and Cascade Townships through a contract with the Kent County Sheriff’s Department).

·         Partner with the City of Grand Rapids to provide water and sewer services to the industrial and commercial businesses in the Township in addition to about one-half of the residential properties I the Township. 

·         Provide and maintain five parks for baseball, soccer, lacrosse, walking, hiking, biking, picnics, disc golf and playing on playground equipment.

·         Provide construction plan review and inspection services for eight municipalities:  City of East Grand Rapids, Ada Township, Cascade Township, Lowell Township, Vergennes Township, Grand Rapids Township, Plainfield Township and the city of Lowell (starting July 1, 2012).

·         Provide planning    and zoning services for the Township.

·         Provide and maintain the building for the Kent district Library to operate from.  Many meetings rooms are also provided in the building built and paid for by the Township (with generous donations from residents).

·         Provide over 17 miles of pedestrian and bicycle pathways throughout the Township, all maintained by the Township.

3.    What does all this cost (millage rates)?

·         General Fund Millage -       0.9716

·         Fire Services -                      1.3152

·         Police Services -                  0.4591

·         Library -                                  0.3882

·         Pathways -                            0.3985

·         Open Space -                       0.2300

Total -                                     3.7626

4.    How long have we been in business?

·         Cascade Township was formally created at a meeting of the residents on April 3, 1843.  We have been successfully operating for 169 years!

  

Water Quality Good!

The City of Grand Rapids has issued their 2011 Water Quality Report.  The two-page document desecribes what is (and is not) in the water we drink in Cascade if connected to the municipal water system.  Our water is very safe!  I for one, am very glad that I connected to the system and eliminated the Nitrates in my old well.

You can view the report on the City's website at:

http://www.michigantownships.org/legrepcurrent.asp <http://www.michigantownships.org/legrepcurrent.asp>

It will laso be available onj the Cascade Township Site soon.

Bill

Gypsy Moth Spraying Tuesday

The Gypsy Moth spraying will be commenced next Tuesday, May 15th in Cascade.  A total of 393 acres will be sprayed.  If you wish to view the map of the spray areas, please go to the Spring, 2012 Township Newsletter found on the Cascade Township Website (www.cascadetwp.com).

Spraying is expected to commence shortly after sunrise.  Weather is always a factor.  If it is raining or windy, the spraying will be postponed.  I will alert you on this blog if it needs to be rescheduled.

Bill

Cascade Township Board Deliberates Issuance of a liquor license

The Cascade Township Board (last night) discussed the method by which a liquor license would be issued in the Township.  Cascade qualified for an additional license as a result of the 13% increase in population reported in the 2010 Census.  A request for applications resulted in three entities showing interest in the license:  Osaka Shushi restaurant planning to move into the building that housed Carlos O'kellys on 28th Street, Drury Hotels planning to construct a hotel on the site of the former Knights Inn on 28th Street, and the existing Euro-Bistro on 28th Street near Thornhills.  The Board determined that they needed to define their process a bit more to be able to allocate the license that would maximize the economic development opportunities for the Township.  It is expected that this item will be discussed further at the April 11th Board meeting. 

Cascade Saving Money

The Cascade Township Board took action last night to authorize staff to call-in two bonds - one from the 2002 Tassell Park Construction Project and one from the 2003 Pathways Construction Project.  Paying off the $785,000 balances four years early will save $82,000 in interest payments.  Both funds (General and Pathways) have fund balances to cover the payments making this a nice savings for the residents of the Township.  A good night!!!

Presidential Primary Election Tuesday

The Presidential Primary Election is set for next Tuesday, February 28th (7am - 8pm).  All Cascade Precincts will be open  and staffed.  Ballots for both major parties will be available for you to use.  You will be required to identify the party you wish to vote for. 

The Republican candidates are:
Fred Karger
Ron Paul
Rick Perry
Buddy Roemer
Mitt Romney
Rick Santorum
Michelle Bachmann
Herman Cain
Newt Gringrich
Jon Huntsman
Gary Johnson
Uncommitted

The Democratic candidate is Barack Obama (Uncommitted is also a chioce). 

The Township Office will be open tomorrow (Saturday, February 25th) for absentee balloting from 8am to 2pm. The office is located at 2865 Thornhills.  If you have a last-minute reason why you can't make it to the polls Tuesday, you can take care of this tomorrow.

Goog luck!

Township Board Meeting February 8th

The Township Board was unsual in that three of the seven Board members were away from the Township and asked to be excused from the meeting.  Absences rarely occur; thankfully, the agenda was light last night.

The board approved the monthly reports from the Fire and Treasurer's department.  They also approved a request for a repair of the storm drain basin in the street at 3528 and 3517 Goodwood Drive.  This area has become covered with water and ice most of the winrter due to the basin not operating properly.  the $75,000 repair (township pays 1/2) will be done this summer.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:41pm

Township Board Meeting January 25th

The Township Board, in a 30-minute meeting last night, approved the following items:

• Continue to provide $400,000 from the General Fund annually to the Fire Fund as resolved by the Board in 2004.
• Continue to pay-off the unfunded mandate in MERS (employee retirement fund) over a 28-year period.
• Resolve to support the Kent County Road Commission in its efforts to obtain Federal funding for road improvements in the 52nd & Kraft area (upgrade the road to a Class A road).
• Abandon a short portion of the Patterson Drain (unused) east of Kraft (north of 28th St) to provide for development of the site (future Goodwill Store).
• Receive the monthly update from staff on the Strategic Plan. 

The Right Place - 2011 Annual Report

The Right Place, at a special meeting today at the Amway Grand Hotel, presented an in-depth review of its progress on the five-year strategic plan it created in 2008.  The Right Place promotes economic growth in the region by developing jobs through business retention, expansion and attraction of new businesses to West Michigan.  The Right Place committed to bring $500,000,000 in Capital Investment to the region from 2008 - 2013.  At the end of 2011, investment totalled $447,173,183.  They should easily exceed the goal for this item.  Two goals have already been surpassed:  Created jobs - the total is 7,417 (goal was 5,000)  and $259,203,106 in new payroll (goal was $175,000,000).  So far, 4,115 companies have been assisted toward a goal of 7,500.  Considering the rough economy the past few years, these numbers are remarkable!!!  I was honored to represent Cascade Charter Township on the 2011 Right Place Board of Directors.  The Right Place is chaired by Doug DeVos, a resident of Cascade!  A number of businesses have received assistance from the Right Place to help them grow or locate in the Township.  The Right Place is a very important part of economic development in West Michigan.  Look for more positive results in 2012!!!   

DDA MOVING CASCADE FORWARD!

The Cascade Downtown Development Association (DDA) Board met last night in the Wisner Center for a very exciting meeting!  The DDA reviewed the successful purchase and display of new holiday lights in the Village District and determined that the display should be slightly enlarged. Look for an even more impressive display next Christmas!!

Mr. Jeff Hundley stood before the Board to discuss his plans for the newly vacant Family Fare grocery store.  He is in discussions that should bring a new grocer to the center - he was entergetic about the possobilities!!!  He let the Board know he is also working on creating a new restaurant space with outdoor seating in the center.  I can't wait to see the changes  made and the new tenants move in!

The Board took some time to discuss their next projects - the boulevard on 28th Street is complete and the lights, landscaping and sidewalks are installed on Charlevoix and Foremeost.  They talked about adding more sidewalk further south on Charlevoix to Orchard Vista then back to Foremost, or south on Charlevoix to Tahoe, then east to Lucerne, then back to 28th Street.  Also discussed were the creation of a 'sound garden' and a 'children's garden' in the area near the library.  The DDA will meet next on March 20th to discusss these projects (and others), then decide on a course of action.  Great stuff!!

Finally, the DDA was briefed on the new liquor license awarded to the Township due to our increase in population as a result of the 2010 census.  The DDA directed Sandra Korhorn, the DDA Director to notify Jeff Hundley and other developers that there was a license available.  The Township Board had set a 60-day waiting periond for applications to be sure existing businesses are aware of the license.