The county road commission finished their work on the intersection of Sashabaw and Clarkston roads.
Now it’s Independence Township Fire Station No. 2’s turn.
‘That intersection has exploded in the last five or six years, with commercial properties that were never there before,? said Ronk at the June 16 board meeting. ‘Our fire station was probably the one piece of property on that corner that looked like it was actually designed to fit there and now we are kind of the odd man out. We kind of need to clean up our properties.?
Ronk wants to plant trees and shrubs in the front and side yards, as well as put in a sprinkler system, repave the parking lot, and put in some curbing and light poles.
The project was originally to be overseen by Building Director Dave Belcher, but Belcher was removed from the project by the board.
‘The building director indicated to us at the last township board meeting that he declined to take on any more of these sorts of projects,? said Trustee Neil Wallace. ‘You’re capable of directing this, but if you think you need some sort of assistance, let us know what you need.?
Ronk was granted his request to use the township’s engineers Hubbell, Roth, and Clark for help.
Belcher estimated $85,000 for the entire project.
‘We expected to be done by now, if he (Belcher) was still in the mix,? Ronk said. ‘But since they took him out of the mix, we’re wallowing our way through getting bids and that kind of stuff.?
HRC estimated $110,000 for the parking lot, not including electricity, light poles, or landscaping.
‘In no way should it be that much,? he said. ‘What I’m trying to do is get some contractors together, get three quotes and take it back to the board and let them decide what they’re going to do with it.?