Brady Township board members broke ground for the township’s new fire station on South 28th Street following a July 1 meeting.
Plans for the new fire station have been in the works for months due to the Township’s withdrawal from the South Kalamazoo County Fire Authority on April 1.
Fire and emergency services to Brady since have been provided by the adjacent Pavilion Township Fire Department.
At the meeting, Supervisor Randy Smith updated the board on the progress of the new fire station. He noted that the Kalamazoo County Health Department has approved the well and septic permits.
As approved by the Board, Smith signed the construction agreement with DeLoof Builders. Scott DeLoof, head of operations at the company, submitted applications for building permits to South Central Michigan Construction Code Inspections. Smith and DeLoof have also submitted needed information for insurance during the construction process.
In other business, the Board reappointed Gary Miller and Avery Weaver to the Planning Commission and appointed Katelyn Clarey to the commission. All appointments are for three years.
During public comment time, Dave Pawloski, chairman of the county road commission, told trustees plans to remove 8,000 trees from county roadsides have been reduced. The original plan had been to remove trees within the right of way which extends 33 feet from the center line on both sides of the road for a total of 66 feet.
The plan has been scaled back to 4,000 trees, which includes those within 17 feet from the edge of the road, said Pawloski. The project is part of a Safe Streets for All program, for which the road commission has received a $25 million grant.
Removing the trees will help reduce power outages as well as reduce the number of calls regarding fallen trees in the road. Pawlowski said the commission receives about 1,700 calls a year for fallen trees. In winter, less shade will mean more sunshine on the roads, helping keep the roads clear, he added.
Pawlowski outlined other improvements, including rumble strips and resurfacing, which will be made on 24th Street for 2.75 miles and on W Avenue from the village limit to 42nd Street. Both projects are planned for 2028.
County Commissioner John Gisler reported that Dr. Kevin Catlin, Kalamazoo County Administrator/Controller, is leaving the position in August for a job as county administrator in Chesterfield County, Virginia.
Gisler expects that an interim administrator will be appointed to give the Commission time to find a replacement for Catlin.
“I’m not in favor of doing a national search,” he said about filling the vacant position.
Gisler urged residents to vote no on a proposed child-care tax on the August 4 ballot. If approved, county property owners would pay 50 cents per $1,000 taxable valuation for eight years. Revenue from the tax would fund services and programs to county residents with a focus on children (0-5) and their caregivers, including, child care and providing funding for the county Department of Health and Community Services to administer related grants and programs.
“I don’t want to see another millage,” he said. “Let’s find the money somewhere else.”
