Dexter Township Officials Reflect on Disaster Response Effectiveness in Wake of Tornado

Editor's note: This article was submitted by the Michigan Townships Association.

March is typically a demanding month for township officials, with statutory duties such as a new budget, Board of Review and the reconciliation of tax payments. But after an on March 15, Supervisor Pat Kelly said the township faced its most challenging March since she took office 10 years ago.

The tornado destroyed nearly 20 homes, damaged about 200 homes and littered debris and trees on roads and residential property. Public safety, security and emergency services were the township's top priorities, along with cleanup and waste disposal services.

Cleanup in the aftermath of the tornado continues in Dexter Township. Kelly said the township has tried to respond to residents' needs efficiently and effectively after the storm. She credits township officials, staff and citizens for quickly assessing the situation and rolling up their sleeves to lead cleanup efforts.

According to Kelly, everyone went the extra mile. Trustees, staff, contractors and the Board of Review put in long hours, rearranged schedules and took on extra work so the township could respond to the cleanup efforts while carrying out its governmental functions.

“The beauty of small government is that we can respond quickly without having to deal with red tape,” she said. “Everyone just knew what we had to do and stepped in. The township has only one full and two part-time employees. Our Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) and others just showed up to help. We didn’t have to ask for help.”

With the storm damaging power lines and mailboxes, the PSAC, comprised of nine residents, went door-to-door making assessments of damage and talking with affected residents and delivering information flyers. The PSAC also set up a “command control center” at the township hall, where they compiled assessments, worked to match volunteer resources with needs and provided other support.

Less than a week after the tornado, the township board approved spending $200,000 for the cleanup effort, which is about one-third of the township’s annual operating budget.

“We decided not to wait for the state to provide disaster relief,” township clerk
Harley Rider said. “The best government is the government closest to the people."

Kelly said relationships and regional cooperation played a significant role in the cleanup.

State Rep. Mark Ouimet (R-Scio Township) and Washtenaw County Commissioner Rob Turner have worked closely with the township. From the onset, Michigan State Police troopers provided much needed security.

The township contracts police services from the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department and fire services from the . Kelly praised both agencies for their outstanding service.

She also thanked the Village of Dexter and Washtenaw County for response to the disaster. Kelly said village officials attended the township’s emergency meeting on March 18 and asked what assistance they could offer the township even as they were assisting their own residents with disaster relief. Washtenaw County established a $500,000 disaster relief fund and the Washtenaw County Road Commission authorized up to $250,000 for tornado cleanup efforts.

The township plans to complete the formal township portion of cleanup by the end of next week while some residents will be dealing with the aftermath of the tornado for a longer period.

Kelly said the township has also appreciated the countless volunteers.

“It is bigger than a township. It’s about community,” she said.