Page 5 - From The Desk Of Robert J Cannon

5 – FROM THE DESK OF ROBERT J.CANNON, SUPERVISOR reelectrobertjcannon.com Clinton Township does it’s part to Stop River and Lake Pollution
In March, 2000, Clinton Township entered into an Administrative Consent Order (ACO), with the State of Michigan to abate water pollution caused by sanitary sewer overflows from our community. Many older areas of the
Township built before 1974 have combined sanitary and storm sewers that were taxing the system during times of heavy rains causing these overflows. When taxed from heavy rains, several pumps were used to divert sewage into the storm water drains instead of flooding basements. “It is clear that neither situation is desirable-flooding in basements, nor polluting the waterways,” said Supervisor Robert Cannon.
“This correction process has been a long one, but we remained steadfast in our commitment to correct this problem that I inherited when I took office,” said Clinton Township Supervisor Robert Cannon. “I am pleased to report that after 20 years and millions we have completed projects critical to keeping sewage in the sanitary sewer system instead of discharging into drains that eventually connect to the Clinton River and Lake St. Clair.”
“I’m proud of our township’s commitment to protecting
our environment,” said Supervisor Robert Cannon. “Now you don’t see Clinton Township included in news headlines with other communities that discharge sewage. Protecting our water assets is critical to a healthy environment,” said Cannon.
Clinton Township has submitted to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, or EGLE for short, the first part of the Project Performance Certification, regarding our elimination of Sanitary Sewer Overflows.
“We look forward to receiving approval from EGLE that we have met the State’s requirements of the ACO. We strongly urge other communities in the Clinton River Watershed to step up their commitment to keeping our waterways clean,” Cannon said.
SEMCOG Grant to provide Safe Hike-Bike Path over Cass Bridge
In the spring of 2018, we were successful in receiving a Michigan Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant through my involvement with the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG). This grant will assist in the cost of building a shared use pathway along the west side of Clinton River Road, the south side of Cass Avenue including the bridge crossing over the North Branch of the Clinton River and the east side of Moravian Road. The estimated project cost is $2 million. This grant uses federal transportation funds and requires a 20 percent match from the Township which the Township Board approved at my recommendation.
The first phase of the project will be the bridge crossing and I am excited that this work will be completed with other County bridge rehabilitation work and will start during the fall of 2020. The second phase will be the shared use pathway which we anticipate construction to begin in spring 2021.
This project will provide many benefits including a safe
crossing over the North Branch of the Clinton River on the Cass Avenue Bridge. The existing shoulder and bridge is very narrow and currently used by pedestrians and bikers daily. The Macomb County Department of Roads has approved traffic barriers over the bridge to provide safety between the non-motorized and motorized users. This fits perfectly with the 2020 Township Strategic Plan recently approved by the Township Board. It is also aligned with the Township’s Recreation Master Plan indicating that a non- motorized transportation plan is of great priority. This project is a great stepping stone toward this priority and achieving a more walkable/biking community. It will increase our mobility and lead to recreational and health benefits as well as economic development.
This project will connect many of our parks together including Canal Park to George George Park as well as Budd Park, Civic Center Park and campus, Tomlinson Arboretum and Old Mill Park. It will certainly be a catalyst for future sidewalk and shared use pathway projects though the entire community.
With this shared pathway project, residents residing near the Freedom Trail along 16 Mile Road will be able to access these parks with their bikes using the Freedom Trail to Garfield Road to Clinton River Road to Romeo Plank Road to the Civic Center and onto George George Park once this project is complete.
Infrastructure Improvements Ongoing
Since 2010 there has been a concerted effort to upgrade aging water service and improve sanitary sewers especially in older areas of the township where storm and sanitary sewers are combined. The sanitary sewer improvements have led to the completion of the Administrative Consent Order (ACO) with the State of Michigan to curb sanitary sewer overflows into the river and Lake St. Clair during times of heavy rainfall (see story to the left). In addition, spending on main road improvements i.e. cost sharing with the Macomb County Department of Roads has led to numerous main roads being
improved throughout several years. Many of the township parks continue to see improvements all contributing to improved quality of life for Clinton Township residents. In total since 2010 more than $41 million has been spend from the general fund or the water and sewer fund to pay for these improvements. “We continue to work diligently to stay on top of updating our aging infrastructure so that safe water and sewer service continues to be brought to our residents and businesses. They deserve and expect no less,” said Supervisor Robert Cannon.
Spending since 2010 on infrastructure is summarized as follows:
Water improvements and replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $26.8 million Parks improvements . . . . . . . Sewer improvements and replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $29.5 million Main roads costs sharing with
Township Safely Reopens after COVID Shut Down
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.3 million MCDR & sidewalk improvements. . . . . . . . . . . . $3.9 million
On March 16 Clinton Township closed its doors to the public and non-essential employees in compliance with the Governor’s executive orders related to COVID-19. Clinton fire and police departments remained fully on the job. “I commend our fire and police departments for their non-stop service during this difficult time for everyone. While other employees were able to safely quarantine and work from home, our police and fire personnel were on the job 24-7. Our fire and police departments were here for us each and every day and speaks volumes to their commitment and dedication to our community,” said Supervisor Cannon.
Throughout the 12 week shutdown that ensued, Clinton Township Supervisor Robert Cannon continued to work from home and have daily virtual discussions with department leaders via the gotomeeting app. “It was important that our department leaders keep up- to-date with each other’s work activities and needs, and that they collaborate, share information and problem solve so that all essential services continued for residents, said Robert Cannon, Supervisor. “All departments had the means to return resident phone calls and emails from their homes during this time,” said Cannon.
Tasks requiring employees to enter the buildings were permitted with precautions and
distancing. Many employees worked remotely from home. The Township’s IT department, under the direction of Dave Pearce, did an outstanding job assuring that employees who were working from home had the technology they needed Clinton Township Emergency Manager, Paul Brouwer, assured that personal protection equipment was available for fire and police departments and others so they could safely work.
Through these virtual meetings, plans to safely reopen in accordance with CDC, state and health department guidelines took place. “I cannot be more proud of our department leaders in how they worked together assuring steps were taken to develop our protocols for a safe re-opening for staff and the public and how they trained their staff on our protocols and provided the best services under difficult circumstances,” said Supervisor Robert Cannon. The Department of Public Works personnel constructed Plexiglas barriers where needed between workstations and had everything ready to open safely.
The Township reopened on June 8th with little fanfare, protocols in place and staff trained. “Kudos to our exemplary township staff for a safe transition and for working safely each day since,” said Cannon.