Paulette A. Skolarus

April 1, 1999 has been set as the inauguration date for the official opening of the new Genoa Township web site. If for some reason it is not ready on that date, we wish you all an enjoyable April Fools Day. Our Web is found at www.genoa.org.

Genoa Township maintains this web site in an effort to keep our residents informed of township development and activities as they relate to our status as one of the fastest growing communities in the State of Michigan.

This site is maintained by the Clerk’s office to bring us into the 21st century, and at the same time keep our residents informed of current happenings within the community.

Residents will now be able to view the township zoning ordinance in its entirety. Minutes from the Township Board, Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals are easily accessible. A little history, financial statements and miscellaneous ordinances that may be of interest are also included on this site.

We hope to provide other relative information in the future. Just type in our name and enjoy our web page. As always your comments and suggestions will be sincerely appreciated.

Spring Yard Cleanup Scheduled

May 1st and May 15th have been scheduled for the spring yard cleanup. The collection times are from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon at the new town hall.

The collection is limited to leaves and yard waste generated by Township residents at their homes. All brush should be bundled so as not to exceed 4 feet in length and 60 pounds.

The maximum size for branches is 3 inches in diameter. Grass, leaves, and other yard waste must be in paper yard waste bags or reusable containers.

Material received in plastic bags will have to be emptied into the collection truck.

Please mark your calendars and help us limit unnecessary burning.

Spring Projects by Michael Archinal, Township Manager

With spring hopefully right around the corner, many Township residents are beginning to plan home improvement projects. People are often confused about what projects require permits and where they need to go for approvals. The process usually involves approval from more than one agency.

The Genoa Township Zoning Ordinance requires permits for the construction of fences, pools, decks, garages, pole barns, signs, sheds over 100 square feet, additions, and new homes. Interior renovations not affecting the size of the home, finished basements and re-roofing require a land use waiver issued free of charge.

The first step is to contact the Township. The Township Manager issues a Land Use Permit after verifying that the proposed construction is in conformance with the Zoning Ordinance. This review can usually take place as you wait. The Livingston County Building Department will issue a Building Permit after issuance of a Land Use Permit and after review of the construction plans. Other agencies may also have to review the project.

The Livingston County Health Department requires a review for new construction and additions. The Livingston County Drain Commissioner’s office should be contacted for any project near a wetland or involving extensive grading. The Livingston County Road Commission has jurisdiction over, and should be contacted regarding any work affecting a county road including driveway permits. A list of phone numbers is provided for your convenience. If you have any question of whether your project requires a permit please contact the Township or the appropriate agency. We will be happy to answer your questions and help insure a successful project.

Livingston County Building Dept. Phone (517) 546-3240 Fax (517) 546-7461

Livingston County Drain Commission Phone (517) 546-7150 Fax (517) 545-9658

Livingston County Health Department Phone (517) 546-9850 Fax (517) 546-6995

Livingston County Road Commission Phone (517) 546-4250 Fax (517) 546-9628

Notice: Municipal Sewer Users

Please use potassium chloride (K-Life) in your water softeners to prevent the township from being in violation of state discharge limits for sodium.

When Moving Get Final Readings

Whether buying or selling, all utility accounts must be changed over when closing on a home. If you fail to advise us, we will continue billing water and sewer under your name.

Changing the name on the tax bill does not change the name on your utility account.

Call for a final reading whenever your address changes. Ph. (810) 227-5225

Recyclables (in with the garbage)

"All week long I save my recyclables and set them at the curb only to see the Mister Rubbish truck hauler throw them in with the regular trash. Is there some mistake? Just what is going on?"

These are just some of the concerns we hear from our residents when they come in to pick up their recycle bags. Please be assured that your work is not in vain. The complete load of trash is taken back to the Whitmore Lake facility of Mister Rubbish and then is dumped onto a huge conveyer. The recycle bags are then removed from the rest of the trash along with other identifiable recyclable products. The materials within the bags arethen separated into the different recycling categories and shipped to agencies that use recycled materials.

We Love Our New Office, Come Visit Us

The new township hall and office has been open since last October. Everyone who comes through is pleasantly surprised at the simple elegance.

The township plaque with logo has been completed and is mounted in the foyer entrance as well as over the table in the board room. If you have not had a chance to visit us , please come and look us over. There are still some final touches that need to be worked out with landscaping, but those plans are on hold until spring.

Your Tax Dollar Distribution

According to Township Treasurer Robin Hunt, the 1998 Winter and Summer Tax Bills levied thirteen million dollars in revenue for libraries, schools, township, county and the state education tax. These dollars were distributed according to the chart.

Your Genoa tax dollars will be used to pay for contractual fire service with the cities of Brighton and Howell, operation of the township hall, road improvement projects as contracted with the Livingston County Road Commission, refuse collection & disposal, and other miscellaneous services.

Residents may view the June 1998 financial statement for the township at www.genoa.org. to see exactly how township dollars were spent during the last fiscal year. Homestead rates for the school districts are as follows:

Howell Public Schools - 18.8472mills - $2.856,491.87

Brighton Area Schools - 21.9661mills - $2,221,7i86.03

Pinckney Schools - 22.876mills - $54,659.88

Hartland Schools - 23.0457mills - $118,630.74

State Education Tax - $2,908,900.68