Brandon Twp.-Health and hygiene concerns are sparking an amendment to the township’s code of ordinances.
The township board approved by a 6-1 vote the first reading of an amendment to chapter 18 of the code of ordinances at their Jan. 4 meeting. The amendment adds Article IV, sections 18-71 to 18-77, addressing public buildings and facilities. Councilmember Liz Waters voted no, citing concerns that the amendment is broad, vague, and could be used improperly.
‘I have an immune-compromised child who can’t be vaccinated,? noted Waters.
Township Attorney Stuart Cooney drafted definitions to be added to the code of ordinances at the request of Clerk Candee Allen after some recent health concerns were raised at the Edna Burton Senior Center, 345 Ball St. when it was learned an individual who has used the township’s SMART bus and senior center was suffering from a severe bed bug infestation, as well as hygiene issues.
‘We realized this person had health issues as well as hygiene issues and it was posing a possible threat to users of our facilities and bus,? said Allen. ‘We are trying to make sure every resident who uses the SMART bus, the senior center or our township office, is confident they are coming in to a clean and healthy environment.?
Allen added she has tried to assist the person in obtaining needed health services, but the individual will not be able to use the bus or township facilities until the issues are resolved.
The ordinance amendment, with language adapted directly from existing SMART guidelines, states in part, ‘Persons shall not enter upon or remain upon property and facilities, including transportation vehicles owned, leased or operated by the Charter Township of Brandon, if to do so may pose a health threat to others or place others at risk of exposure to a communicable disease, infection or infestation.
Persons shall not enter upon or remain upon property and facilities, including transportation vehicles owned, leased or operated by the Charter Township of Brandon if such persons have not maintained a standard of personal hygiene so as to not expose others to unreasonable odors, unreasonably unclean condition and/or possible infestation by insects, or parasites such as lice, bedbugs, etc.?
The amendment also forbids physical and verbal abuse, including profanity and sexual harassment.
Violation of the ordinance is punishable by issuance of a municipal civil infraction with fines and costs.
The amendment reads, ‘In the vent any township official or employee reasonably determines that any person, having entered upon or attempting to enter upon or remain upon township property and facilities, including transportation vehicles owned, leased or operated by the Charter Township of Brandon, such official or employee may address such person and request that the subject person refrain from entering or immediately exit from said property or facilities. Failure of such person to immediately comply with such request will authorize the issuance of a civil infraction ticket.?
Determination of who is in violation could be tricky, Allen admitted.
‘Let’s say someone has bronchitis or pneumonia, and they look ill, and we ask how they are doing and they say, ‘I have pneumonia and am really contagious.? We can ask them to leave. We can’t just say, ‘You look pale, you need to go to the doctor.? If they say, ‘We have bedbugs at home,? then we have to act. It’s only enforceable if they say they are ill or we notice head lice, coughing, hacking, runny nose, etc…It will be a tough call to make absolutely. I hope it doesn’t have to be used, but the only way to protect the township, employees and citizens is to have an ordinance that covers all of this.?
The second reading and approval of the amendment to the ordinance is planned for the next township board meeting, set for 7 p.m., Feb. 1, at the township offices, 395 Mill St.