5 Things You Need to Know: School Budget Meeting, Chickens Ordinance, Julie Run

1. will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. Monday in the West Bloomfield High School media center to discuss the 2011-12 budget, including a change in millage rates. The budget, publicly presented last Friday on the district's website, is not set in stone yet, as results from collective bargaining will be added after and all of the results from are not included. The budget includes the following:

• $65,515,472 of projected general fund operating expenditures, a 5.5 percent decrease from last year's amended budget.
• A projected millage rate of 4.5665, increasing by .3279 mills.
• A projected taxable value of $1,669,076,490, decreasing by 6.5 percent from last year's amended budget.
• A foundation allowance of $8,646/pupil, decreasing by $470/pupil.
• A health insurance increase of 7.8 percent, decreasing from a composite rate of 16.90 percent.

2. will hold a public hearing at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in to consider an update to a zoning text amendment which includes the . Senior planner Sara Roediger said in May that a motive for establishing new definitions is to accommodate “modern” restaurants, including those that already have moved into the township (such as ), which serve food in disposable containers for consumption indoors or out. If you'd like to tell the commission how you feel about modern restaurants in the township, comments may be made in writing to the commission or by appearing at the hearing.

The commission will again hear drafted guidelines from the ordinance to allow for the keeping of chickens in residentially zoned areas, as asked for by the for township board at At its meeting May 25, the commission debated the guidelines and heard public comments from some residents who are against the possible ordinance all together. “If we had chickens in the neighborhood, we’d have chickens walking up and down the street,” said Art Williams, an 18-year resident, at that meeting. “I’m frankly surprised that we’re even considering it.”

3. will be held beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday at Walled Lake Northern High School, 6000 Bogie Lake Rd., Commerce. The Julie Run, now in its 18th year, is held to benefit the Waterford-based non-profit organization Open Door Outreach Center. Cost of the event is $20 for early registration or $25 for same-day registration. If $50 is submitted in pledges, that person receives free registration.

4. will kick off Summer Reading season with an event beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday in the The event will include activities, many for all ages, including a bounce house, miniature golf, pony rides, a petting farm, and a chance to meet members of the West Bloomfield Fire Department. The event is free of charge.

5. will graduate its 11th senior class at 7 p.m. Wednesday in