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HARRISON TOWNSHIP — Amendments to two separate ordinances governing open burning and animal control were approved by the Harrison Township Board of Trustees in 6-0 votes on April 14.
Township Clerk Adam Wit was excused for the meeting.
The first amendment affects the township’s fire ordinance, adopting the 2024 International Fire Prevention Code and the 2021 National Fire Association 303 Fire Prevention Standards. According to the meeting agenda, it provides regulations for open burning and revises the fine schedule for violations.
The second amendment targets the township’s animal control ordinance. According to the agenda, township officials were asked to amend the ordinance by repealing it in its entirety and incorporating Macomb County Animal Control best practices.
The full text of the amended ordinances will be available at the township clerk’s office during business hours.
Township Supervisor Kenneth Verkest said there is a formal process to notify residents before adopting an ordinance.
Harrison Township Attorney Robert Huth said with respect to the animal control ordinance, residents can expect an uptick in service.
“Because now when the county responds to a call in Harrison Township, the ordinance is in line with what the county was seeking in terms of best practices for a local community,” Huth said.
Huth went on to say the township worked with Macomb County Animal Control to make the ordinance in line with what the county rules say. He also said a lot of things residents have seen in the past haven’t changed, like a limit on the number of dogs or cats a resident can own.
“In terms of licensing enforcement and the authority of the county, it has been codified here, more engrained in the ordinance,” Huth said.
Regarding the fire safety amendment, Huth said the township looks to the state for recommendations and adoptions.
“From time to time, local communities, like with what Harrison has done, will take a look at the state suggested rules and then say, ‘You know what? We should amend our ordinance to be consistent with what the state’s recommending,’” Huth said.
Huth gave the example of rules and regulations around bonfires. He said there was not a lot of definition to the ordinance in the past regarding them. Huth said as residents started having bonfires more often, the state changed its ordinances and Harrison Township did as well.
“This new fire prevention ordinance in Harrison Township reflects the practices that the state thinks that are best in line for fire prevention and safety purposes,” Huth said.
The new fire code by the state has been adopted by Harrison Township. This code has to do with safety precautions in buildings including exits, sprinklers and more.
Huth said the fire code will not produce a huge impact on residents, but he thinks they will see the impact with animal control.
“If they are calling the county because there’s been a dog bite, a stray dog or a lost dog, I think the county will be more responsive because it now knows that our ordinance adopts its best practices and so its personnel know how to act accordingly,” Huth said.
Verkest introduced the animal control ordinance and the fire ordinance at the meeting. He said they worked with the county as well as multiple municipalities to come up with the draft for the animal control ordinance.
“I do believe this is the best we can do to satisfy the request from Macomb County Animal Control as well as serve our residents without exceeding our authority,” Verkest said.
Trustee Dean Olgiati asked if it is standard language in Macomb County with how other municipalities handle their animal control.
Huth said at the meeting he agrees with Verkest that the ordinance is a reasonable compromise between the county and the township.
Verkest said with the fire ordinance, it is just an update with nothing “earth shaking.”
