The Board of Trustees encourages residents to attend board meetings at the township hall.  Agendas are available for review on the website (www.mariontownship.com), or contact the township offices.  The Board of Trustees meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm .  The Planning Commission meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:30 pm .  Please mark your calendars and plan to attend these meetings each month.

HOWELL PARKS & RECREATION PROGRAMS

As a result of the funding available to pay and operate the Parks & Recreation programs, there will be three levels of participation fees for residents in the four communities within the Howell Area Parks & Recreation Authority.  The three-tier pricing system is based on each municipality’s funding levels.  Marion Township will continue payment to the Authority of $57,500 rather than increasing the annual payment to $100,000.  Township residents will pay the tier 2 pricing for programs offered through the Authority.  Also, township residents will no longer receive free stickers for Thompson Lake .  Day permits are $10, annual permits are $40 for the first sticker and $30 for the second.  Day or annual permits can be purchased at the Bennett Recreation Center , 925 E. Grand River , or from the park guard at the front gate.

NOTARY SERVICES

Notary services are available at the township hall during regular business hours.  The service is free to Marion Township residents.

FIRST ANNUAL FLEA MARKET

Marion Township will be hosting its first annual flea market on Saturday, September 8 from 9:00 am-4:00 pm .  If you have crafts, plants, health & beauty products, or garage sale items that you would like to part with, this would be a great outlet.  Spaces are available for rent, with proceeds from the rental fees donated to the Marion Township Park Beautification fund.  Fees are $15 for 10’x10’ space or two spaces for $20.  Indoor spaces are $20 each. Call the township offices for more information, or download an application from the Bulletin Board page of the website, www.mariontownship.com

CLERK’S NEWS

We now have our new Handicap Accessible Voting equipment.  They are designed to accommodate every kind of disability, so please don’t hesitate to come in on election day and use them.

If you live on the south side of Coon Lake Road , you will now be voting on the lower level of the township hall.  You may park in the same parking lot as usual and use the sidewalk on the east side of the building.  There are also several parking spaces, as well as handicap accessible parking, available on the lower level.

Our township historian is looking for old pictures of township residents and buildings.  If you have anything that you would like to share (pictures can be scanned and returned), contact the Clerk’s office.

CEMETERY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE

We have repaired the damaged fencing at Green Cemetery and cut up fallen trees at Lakeside Cemetery .

There is always ongoing maintenance so anyone interested in joining the Cemetery Committee can call the clerk’s office or email marionclerk@ameritech.net.

MARION TOWNSHIP COMMUNITY PARK

Work continues on our township park off of Triangle Lake Road .  Playground equipment has been installed.  The County Road Commission will be putting up pedestrian warning and Marion Township Park signs.  A quarter-mile walking path is our next project.  We are hoping to have a ribbon-cutting ceremony this summer…watch the cable channel or check the website for time and date.  Have a great summer!

DPW DEPARTMENT

Phase II Watershed Program information is available on our website under “links.”  You will find information about the Huron River and Shiawassee watersheds accessed through the Livingston County Drain Commission. 

If you have municipal water service problems, call (517) 545-1339.  After hours, call (800) 441- 4991.

WATERSHED UPDATE

Marion Township is the only township in Michigan that has stormwater discharges into three different Great Lakes .  During the next few months, we will be installing road signs that indicate the watershed boundaries and the names of the streams.

PLEASE DON ’T MOVE FIREWOOD!

The current 21-county quarantine of Southeastern Michigan remains in effect, prohibiting the movement of hardwood (non-coniferous) firewood out of these counties:  Branch, Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Saginaw, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Claire, Washtenaw and Wayne.  Forty-seven additional counties in the Lower Peninsula are now quarantined as a second level of protection. 

Individuals or businesses found violating the state’s EAB quarantine are subject to fines ranging from $1,000 to $250,000, and jail time of up to five years, for moving regulated ash materials, including firewood.

For more information, contact the toll-free Michigan EAB hotline at (866) 325-0023, or visit either www.michigan.gov/eab or www.emeraldashborer.info.

SUMMER TAX PAYMENTS

The final day for summer tax payments without penalty is Friday, September 14.  For that reason, the treasurer’s office will be open that day from 9:00 am-5:00 pm to receive tax payments.

FROM THE ASSESSOR’S OFFICE

Assessing staff is currently out in the field doing inspections.  Field inspections may include taking photographs, measuring structures, etc.  Staff will be carrying identification, including photo name badges.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact the township office during regular business hours.