COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Coldwater Township Supervisor Don Rogers told Branch County Commissioners during their work session Thursday to keep the townships around the county informed about possible future funding options for road repairs.
Rogers said the Branch County Road Commission put on a presentation this week about the roads in Coldwater Township and the lack of funds to maintain those roads. He said one of the proposals being kicked around is a millage request to township residents that would raise $2.3 million over 10 years for road maintenance.
According to Rogers, that would mean they would have to levy a 2.4 mill proposal in order to generate the necessary funds just for road repairs that townships have no responsibility for. He pointed out they currently levy less than a mill for township operations.
He feels the responsibility for maintaining the roads should stay with the county.
In other business, commissioners decided to bring forward to next Tuesday’s meeting a request from the Commission on Aging that a letter should be written to the contractor who was responsible for last years renovation project at the Burnside Senior Center so that repairs to the roof can be made. Problems with the heating and cooling system following the renovation have created such a strong pressure imbalance that the membrane of the flat roof is damaged after it inflated.
Action is needed quickly since the one year warranty from the date of the project’s substantial completion expires March 31, 2018.
Commissioners also voted to bring forward to next week’s meeting a five year recreation plan for the county that has been put together by the Branch County Parks Trustees.
