Author: Bob Yager

Open Meetings Act is Very Important

Bob Yager

The Open Meetings Act is a valuable tool for residents. We should understand it and make a concerted effort to object if we think it has been violated by our Board of Trustees. The open meetings act requires discussions and decisions to be made in public, not in private.

Think what could happen without an Open Meetings Act. The Township Board could vote themselves big raises, approve developments, change ordinances, etc., without the public knowing.

Here is a link to a summary of the Open Meetings Act by the State Attorney General.

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/ag/OMA_handbook_287134_7.pdf

It contains a crucial section on permissible reasons for closed sessions.  Some things can be discussed in closed session, if rather stringent requirements are met, but no decisions can be made there.

Nothing New on Lombardo Proposed 145 Homes on Buell / Wastewater (Sewage) Treatment Plant

Bob Yager

The Planning Commission meeting of April 7 was cancelled. I did not check why, but speculate that Lombardo was not ready or no one wanted to violate social distancing. Lombardo needed to come back with information on how they arrived at 145 homes allowed when it appeared that the non-wet lands useable building area and zoning ordinance possibly allowed only  about 115.

I forgot to mention in my previous articles in early March, that traffic was a significant concern of the Planning Commission and residents namely:

  • Already heavy traffic problems at two impacted intersections – Rochester – Buell and Rochester – Stony Creek.
  • More traffic  cutting through Oakland Hunt subdivison to go between Buell and Collins while avoiding the dirt road portion of Buell and Collins that should be used instead. Lots of children in this sub.
  • This will also increase traffic on the portion of Collins where residents, currently lead by Phylis Andus efforts,  are attempting to get a lower speed limit.

Parks and Recreation Commission Recognizes Cam Mannino for Volunteer Work

Bob Yager

This from the March 11, 2020 meeting:

Presentation of Volunteer Recognition for Cam Mannino

Chairman Choi recognized resident Cam Mannino’s unselfish dedication to Oakland Township’s parks. Since she began in 2015, Ms. Mannino has written over 175 blog posts that appear on our natural areas website, the Natural Areas Notebook, and which have received over 52,000 views. She has tirelessly volunteered with vernal pool monitoring, seed collecting, nest box monitoring, invasive species workdays, weekly bird walks, and so much more. Cam Mannino is an invaluable ambassador for our parks, and the Parks and Recreation Commission and department staff are so thankful for all she does. The Commissioners expressed their thanks. Commissioner Rooney praised Ms. Mannino for her eye for nature and the beautiful way that she shares her observations through her writing and photos. She shared a quote from naturalist Henry David Thoreau, and said she feels Ms. Mannino embodies the notion of Mother Nature. Secretary Barkham reminisced that Ms. Mannino is the one who first introduced her family to the wonders of Bear Creek Nature Park. Ms. Mannino in turn thanked the PRC, Natural Areas Stewardship Manager Dr. VanderWeide, and Director Milos-Dale for helping her learn so much about stewardship, native plants, etc., and for giving her the opportunity to be involved with our Oakland Township parks system. Chairman Choi and the Commissioners presented Ms. Mannino with a certificate of appreciation for all that she has done and continues to do for Oakland Township.

If you have not seem Cam Mannino’s beautiful photos and in-depth explanations of what she captures with her camera check out this website: https://oaklandnaturalareas.com/author/brown366/

See the rest of the meeting minutes, written by veteran Ingrid Kliffel, that gives an outstanding summary of discussions leading up to decisions.

The next meeting is Wednesday, April 9th by remote access via GoToMeeting. See the access instructions, proposed agenda, and packet of information about each agenda item here: https://www.ecode360.com/documents/OA3183/public/537907497.pdf