Clark Road Barn Approved for Demolition, Citizen Survey Approved for November

The Hartland Township board voted to approve the demolition of the Clark Road barn to Preiss Outdoor Services at a cost of $19,600 during Tuesday’s board meeting.

Removal of the barn will make room for the new Clark Road Park, which is scheduled to break ground during the spring of 2013. It is a project the board has discussed for eight years, according to trustee Joe Petrucci. 

“This is, you could say, the first step of putting in that park- removing that barn,” he said. 

Options have been explored over the years that included trying to refurbish the barn or find a group to restore it but those options never became viable.

The board also explored trying to sell the wood, but according to township manager James Wickman, professionals explained to the township that the wood from the barn was not the type that could be reusable.

“This is the first step in what we’re hoping to do around the township hall by putting in those trails and areas back here,” trustee Joe Colaianne said. “We’re hoping to break ground in the spring… to allow passive recreation, which is what a number of folks indicated. We’re trying to help out everyone of the community.” 

Citizen's Survey to be Mailed to Random Resident Sampling in November

The Hartland Township board approved an agreement on Tuesday with Cobalt Community Research for a citizen’s survey to gauge the public’s opinion to a possible road millage in Hartland. The survey will cost $9,550. 

The survey will be mailed out to a random sampling of 1,500 residents starting the last week of November and residents who receive the survey will also have the option of completing the questions online.

The re-evaluation of a potential road millage began in during discussion of the Road Commission, according to township manager James Wickman.

“We really need to get out and measure public opinion on this issue,” he said.

A previous road millage from 2010 did not pass, but according to trustee Colaianne, the township believes there is still an “interest within the community to undertake repairs to the roads.”

“In addition, if we’re going to have a quality pathway system throughout the township to allow residents to get by on bicycles or walk to various areas throughout the township,” Colaianne said. “This is another project to look at getting in place as part of that road commission as well.” 

The township could have results from the survey by January with the potential for a road millage to be part of the May, 2013 ballot.