Millage Renewal, Increase Approved for West Bloomfield Ballot

The on Wednesday night unanimously approved ballot language to put a millage renewal and increase on the Aug. 7 ballot.

The general operating millage rate for the West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation Commission, currently set at 0.2435 per $1,000 of taxable value on taxable property in the township and due to expire in 2013, would continue for 10 years if approved by voters in August, while an increase of 0.35 per $1,000 would be set for 12 years beginning in 2014.

It is estimated the combined proposals, if approved by voters, would authorize the township to collect just less than $1.85 million in the first year of the increase.

"This increase ... is a restoration of monies lost from the 2008 recession. What this will do is return money to Parks and Rec for them to continue to provide services that they are currently providing. If this is not passed, they will have to cut back on the services they provide," said board Trustee Howard Rosenberg, a liaison to the commission.

"This is the same type of millage proposal that this board put forth to the (in 2011)."

Other highlights included from Monday's meeting include:

• Supervisor Michele Economou Ureste and Trustee Steven Kaplan voted against going into closed session to protest what they deemed Open Meetings Act violations stemming from closed session meeting minutes from the May 14 township board meeting. Township attorney Gary Dovre said he respectfully disagreed, that Township Clerk Cathy Shaughnessy had met obligations by state statutes, and the board apparently went into closed session without the two nay voters.
• Plans to build a at the current location of a and restaurant at the northwest corner of Maple and Orchard Lake roads hit a severe snag due to excess contamination later discovered at the site, according to developer Doraid Markus. The board delayed action in his proposal to reconsider it. A new plan presented by Markus includes a brownfield redevelopment authority and a variance on the previously approved stormwater detention plan, due to costs.