Publication select ▼
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — On July 12, the Macomb Township Board of Trustees lauded state Sen. Veronica Klinefelt for providing the township $5 million in the newest state budget to expedite the Broughton Road extension project.
“We’re going to develop a stretch of road that will really anchor the entire northeastern part of the township and will really be a benefit that this township needed and will benefit the community literally for decades,” said Township Supervisor Frank Viviano.
Klinefelt favored the Broughton Road project on the grounds that it would allow the township to control its development and would make it more convenient to get around.
While Klinefelt was eager to get the appropriation, she faced a fight trying to include it in the final $80.1 billion budget.
“This is a township, and they’re (Lansing is) a little bit hesitant to open up the doors,” Klinefelt said. “Once you give money to townships then the other townships might want to chime in. After some negotiation I was able to get the project in so we’re able to bring back $5 million to Macomb Township to build Broughton Road.”
An additional $20,000 is going to the Broughton Road project via a Southeast Michigan Council of Governments grant. Combined with the $5 million, the township is able to expedite the project from 5-7 years to 2-3 years.
Klinefelt was able to bring additional funding to Macomb Township road projects with a promise of financial support for the Chelsea Road replacement project.
Board members were thankful for Klinefelt’s inclusion of the $5 million, with Trustee Frank Cusumano gifting her flowers and stating he was “ecstatic, elated and overjoyed” for the contribution.
Klinefelt ended her time before the board saying Act 51 needed to be changed. Act 51 governs the collection and allocation of road funds throughout the state, which distributes funds to counties and cities based on centerline mileage rather than total lane mileage.
DPW purchases loader
The board also approved the purchase of a John Deere 524P loader to replace the township’s 1996 JCB loader, costing slightly over $213,600 after trading in the old machine.
The loader will be used for digging projects around the township, some of which Department of Public Works Director Kevin Johnson said require the township to own rather than lease or rent such equipment.
“The function of this loader is that if we have water main breaks, obviously we have to take material to and from the site,” Johnson said. “It loads up our dump trucks; it loads up our vehicles with salt in the wintertime. It can be used for parks and rec if they have any projects they need it for.
“It’s used on an almost daily basis,” Johnson said.
Leasing a loader was also seen as too costly due to interest costs.
Board of Review pay increase
Trustees also approved a $1.75 hourly pay increase for Macomb Township Board of Review members, the first increase for the board in 15 years.
Members are paid $30 per hour now. The prior rate was $28.25.
