Township Board Allocates Grant for Public Services and More

The West Bloomfield Board of Trustees approved the allocation of more than $104,000 in federal Community development block grant (CDBG) funds at Monday's meeting. The funds will support senior services in the township, along with HAVEN, a group that works with victims of domestic violence, and the township's minor home repair program.

Community development block grants are part of a federal program run by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The program, according to HUD, provides communities with resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs.

Township Senior Planner Sara Roediger said the allocations for the 2013 funds were similar to the allocations made in previous years.

At the meeting, Clerk Cathy Shaughnessy expressed displeasure that HAVEN was not initially included in the 2013 allocations.

Several trustees agreed with Shaughnessy that HAVEN should have been included in the program.

"Domestic violence is increasing in the area," Trustee Larry Brown said. "People die from domestic violence and I think it's important that we do all that we can here at the township to prevent that from happening."

The board approved an amended motion that took funding from senior services and put it towards HAVEN for 2013.

The following allocations were unanimously approved by the board: