Township News Bulletins
There's always something new going on in Genoa Township! Check this space frequently for updated news and announcements.
May 6, 2021
May 10, 2021 Planning Commission - Electronic
MAY 10 PLANNING COMMISSION - ELECTRONIC
Due to Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Epidemic Order requirements and by Local Declaration of Emergency (Resolution #210503A), the May 10, 2021 Planning Commission meeting will be virtual. The public may participate in the meeting/public hearing through Zoom access by computer and smartphone. Directions to participate are posted below. Please email info@genoa.org or call (810) 227-5225 if you have questions.
NOTICE - The request by the Chaldean Catholic Chuch for the retreat center at 1391 Kellogg Road will be postponed due to insufficient statutory notice.
ELECTRONIC MEETING INFORMATION & INSTRUCTIONS
The meeting will be broadcast live via YouTube feed at the following link:
Members of the public wishing to participate in the electronic meeting may do so by joining the zoom meeting (requires app for a smart phone or client software for a computer) or by calling in using a telephone as follows:
Using Zoom:
1. Install the Zoom software to your computer or smart phone.
2. Click the link – https://tinyurl.com/Genoa06
3. If needed, enter this meeting number: 893 4078 5231
4. There is NO meeting password
5. During the meeting you will be muted until the Call to the Public.
6. Please remember this meeting is open to all members of the public, as such, any use of profanities, improper language, or threats may result in being removed from the meeting.
7. During the call to the public please use the “raise hand” function in zoom to alert us that you wish to speak.
8. Participants will be called on one at a time, as would happen during an in-person meeting. When it is your turn to speak, you will be recognized by your name and will need to unmute your audio. Please state your name, spell your name, and give your address followed by your comments.
Using Telephone:
1. Call 312-626-6799
2. Enter this meeting number: 893 4078 5231# (don’t forget the # sign)
3. For meeting participant number, just press #
4. There is NO meeting password:
5. You will immediately be put on hold.
6. Please remember this meeting is open to all members of the public, as such, any use of profanities, improper language, or threats may result in being removed from the meeting.
7. Once connected to the meeting, members of the public wishing to participate in the virtual public comment must alert us that they wish to speak by pressing star nine “ * 9 ” on their telephone keypad. Pressing star nine “ * 9 ” will activate the “raise hand” feature signaling to us that you wish to comment.
8. Participants will be called on one at a time, as would happen during an in-person meeting. When it is your turn to speak, Make sure your computer audio is turned down so you don’t have feedback – and that you do not have any background noise. You will be recognized by the last four digits of your phone number and you will hear “You are unmuted - please state your name, spell your name, and give your address followed by your comments”.
International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kexEJzJa8c
April 28, 2021
Genoa Township Hall Sidewalk Reconstruction Project - Summer 2021
A reconstruction and repair project began today at the Township Hall property. The existing asphalt pathway which surrounds the building, play area and athletic fields has begun to fall into disrepair. This project will address this issue by replacing the asphalt with a concrete walkway. In addition, a section of path will be built to connect with the Fire Hall complex to the north.
The reconstruction project will be ongoing through the summer with sections of the walkway unavailable for use. Please avoid using any paths that are under construction during this time.
Thank you for your patience.
April 27, 2021
Weekly Recycling Begins Monday May 3, 2021
Weekly recycling will begin for all Township residents starting the week of May 3.
Residents can place their recycling bins out every week on their normal trash/recycling day beginning that week. Residents can confirm their trash/recycling pickup days at the My Schedule search box located on the Township Refuse and Recyling page found here.
Please remember to break down cardboard boxes. Do not put anything on top of the cart or outside of the cart. For a list of items that can be recycled, please visit the Waste Wizard search box on the Township Refuse and Recycling page found here.
April 19, 2021
Price Change Announced for Howell Area Parks and Recreation Park Pass
There have been some changes initiated by the City of Howell regarding the cost of Park and Boat Launch passes due to budget shortfalls.
Those residents that live within the HAPRA service area (the City of Howell, Howell Township, Oceola Township, Marion Township and Genoa Charter Township) will receive ONE free pass. Residents may receive ONE additional pass for a fee of $40.
Those who live outside the HAPRA service area may purchase a seasonal pass for a fee of $60, with a limit of 2 per household.
For more information, please visit https://www.howellrecreation.org or contact HARPA at (517) 546-0693.
April 15, 2021
Livingston County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days
The Livingston County Solid Waste Program has scheduled the 2021 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events. This service is free for RESIDENTS of Livingston County.
HOWEVER - RESIDENTS MUST HAVE A SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT TO PARTICIPATE.
To be able to accommodate as many households as possible, please limit your sign up to 1 event .
The event will be held on the following dates:
Spring Event - May 22, 2021
Summer Event - July 31, 2021
Fall Event - September 25, 2021
All events are held on Saturdays between 9 am and 12 noon.
To schedule an Appointment: you can do one of the following:
- Schedule your appointment online. For more information, visit the Livingston County DPW page here
- Call 517-545-9609
*Please do not bring items to collection locations except on appointed days and at your scheduled time.
April 15, 2021
Livingston County Electronic Waste Collection
The Livingston County Solid Waste Program has scheduled the 2021 Electronic-Waste Collection Event on the following date:
July 17, 2021 & October 2, 2021
New Location: 3535 Grand Oaks - Road Commission Parking Lot
No appointment needed
Electronic waste collection (TVs, electronics, etc.) is done only during scheduled Collection Events.
If you have questions, call 517-545-9609.
This event provides a free and convenient opportunity for Livingston County residents and small businesses (fewer than 10 employees) to safely recycle a variety of electronic waste such as TV’s, computers, printers, monitors, laptops, etc. For a complete list of acceptable items, see the website at www.livgov.com/dpw.
Items can only be dropped off on the event day!
April 12, 2021
Spring Yard Waste Collection 2021
Our Spring Yard Waste Collection program has been scheduled for the following date at the Genoa Charter Township Hall from 8 am to 11 am:
Saturday, May 22, 2021
Residents may bring their yard waste to the Township Hall Parking lot on this date. Branches and similar materials must be in 3 foot long bundles.
Please no plastic bags.
More information can be found on our Refuse & Recycling page.
March 2, 2021
2020 Winter and Summer Property Tax Payment Information
Monday, March 1, 2021 was the last day to pay 2020 Summer & Winter Property Taxes.
2020 Property Taxes become delinquent as of Tuesday, March 2, 2021. All payments must now be made to the Livingston County Treasurer’s Office.
Please contact the County Treasurer’s Office at 517-546-7010 after for a total amount due.
Thank You!
January 4, 2021
Township Holiday Schedule 2021
Click here for a list of days the Genoa Charter Township offices will be closed.
December 14, 2020
DTE Energy Tree Trimming
Trees are a beautiful and vital part of Michigan’s landscape. They’re also the leading cause of power outages and can pose a serious public safety hazard if they grow too near or into power lines.
That's why DTE Energy has a tree trimming program to promote healthy trees and keep the power flowing. Please see the attached map for the planned trimming program in Genoa Township.
Here’s what you can expect once the trimming begins:
• You may see DTE representatives in your yard or neighborhood inspecting the power lines and trees to determine where trimming is needed. Representatives will be wearing high-visibility vests and carrying DTE ID badges.
• If tree work is needed on your property, the representative will knock on your door. If you are not home, we will leave a “Tree Work Scheduled” door card. If you have questions about the work intended for your property, please call the number on the door card. You will have the opportunity to speak to a representative before tree work begins.
• If a tree poses a serious hazard to power lines or if trimming will put the tree’s health at risk, we may need to remove it. In this case, representatives will leave behind additional information and make considerable attempts to work directly with the property owner before removing any trees.
For more information, please visit dteenergy.com/treecare.
November 13, 2020
Covid Guidelines for Township Hall Visitors
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic we ask that all visitors to the Genoa Township Offices consider following the below safety protocols. Our top priority is maintaining the health and safety of our residents, employees, and their families.
- If possible we ask that you please utilize making payments by mail, online, or place in one of our drop boxes; either the drive up drop box in the front parking lot or the drop box located near the front entrance. Any tax payments placed in our drop box will be mailed a paid receipt.
- Please consider limiting the use of cash and please prepare your checks before you enter the building. Contact the Township Treasurer’s office at (810)227-5225 if you have questions regarding an amount due.
- If it is necessary for you to enter the building, we strongly recommend that all visitors wear a face mask and you will be required to follow the 6-foot distancing requirement, please follow the markings as to where to stand and walk through the township hall. If you have a medical reason that prevents you from wearing a mask please call (810)227-5225 to make an appointment.
- We request that any business that does not need to be conducted in person be done by phone, email, drop box or mail.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation during this difficult time.
Stay Safe, Stay Healthy!
April 13, 2020
Township Clerk releases statement regarding Honey Bees
Save the Bees
Township resident Jim DelCamp recently addressed the Genoa Township Board asking the board to develop policies to conserve the natural habitat of bees in the township. He provided the following information for our residents: There are 460 wild species of bees in the Michigan and 16,000 species worldwide. Honey Bees have been declining at a rate of 40% each year according to Michigan State University and the loss will have devastating effects on life in general since bees pollinate our crops and flowers.
Pesticides are a big problem since they damage bees and harm their ability to forage. In recent tests 100% of ground-nesting bees were killed as a result of pesticides. Please limit the use of pesticides where bees are present even though they are a nuisance. Bees help more than they hurt.
Planting wildflowers will support bees. Many wild bees are solitary as well as ground nesting and they need suitable habitat. Leaving small plots of ground in their natural state such as deadwood, brush piles or fungi will help where ground nesting bees can flourish. Others could use bee hotels to safeguard them during the winter. Bees are important for pollination since 1/3 of all plants and flowers depend on them for life.
A bee feeder, using sugar water with a drop of mycelial extract, will enhance their health and allow them to live longer. Mycelium has been called natures ‘world wide web’ under our feet. Of an estimated 10 million multi-cell life forms, half are fungi and they have been evolving to combat viruses. Bees don’t just pollinate they spread mycelium as they forage. They dig into the soil where mushrooms grow getting mycelium all over their fuzzy bodies and spread it every other place they touch.
Livingston County can become a refuge where bees, mycelium, birds, butterflies, helping all of nature to thrive. So save that natural site, feed those bees, plant wildflowers and minimize your use of pesticides. With proper understanding and education we can improve our health and enhance the ecosystems of this earth.
Polly Skolarus, Clerk
Genoa Charter Township
June 13, 2018
Step Forward Michigan Mortgage Assistance Program
Michigan homeowners struggling with unemployment or another hardship may once again be eligible for assistance through the Michigan Homeowner Assistance Nonprofit Housing Corporation, acting through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.
Thanks to $18.6 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Treasury under its Hardest Hit Fund (HHF) program, the state’s most successful program for reducing foreclosure, Step Forward Michigan reopened its online application portal on Sunday, May 1 2018.
MSHDA Homeownership Director Mary Townley said if she had one piece of advice for homeowners it would be that they contact Step Forward Michigan sooner rather than later. “Don’t wait until you receive a notice of foreclosure,” she advised. “Contact our office at the first sign of delinquency. This gives the homeowner the best opportunity for success.”
Since the program’s inception, more than 31,102 households have been helped with over $278 million in mortgage, property tax, and condominium assistance.
Michigan has until December 31, 2020 to use all funds.
Learn more at www.stepforwardmichigan.org or call 866-946-7432.
October 23, 2017
2017 Video Tour of Livingston County
Livingston County government is pleased to present the 2017 Video Tour of Livingston County that showcases the advantages of living, working and playing in our County Community!
The 2017 video tour includes comments by community leaders as well as a well-rounded visual depiction of our County, presented in nine (9) chapters:
- Welcome
- Education
- Parks and Recreation
- Healthcare – NEW
- Real Estate and Relocation
- Downtown, Business & Industry
- Quality of Life
- Economic Development – NEW
- Community Organizations - NEW
Select any chapter of this product to view the Livingston County video on that subject. You can also view the
videos of various local businesses that participated in this promotional program by clicking on their logo in the
frame surrounding each chapter of the Video Tour.
Please visit the Livingston County home page at: https://www.livgov.com/ to view the new Video Tour of Livingston County
November 22, 2016
Genoa Township Board adopts Principles of Governance
At the November 21, 2016 Township Board meeting, the Board approved the adoption of the following Principles of Governance:
To maintain the high standards and traditions of Michigan Townships, we embrace these principles of governance to guide our stewardship, deliberations, constituent services and commitment to safeguard our community’s health, safety and general welfare.
We pledge to:
• Insist on the highest standards of ethical conduct by all who act on behalf of this township;
• Bring credit, honor and dignity to our public offices through collegial board deliberations and through diligent, appropriate responses to constituent concerns;
• Actively pursue education and knowledge, and to embrace best practices;
• Treat all persons with dignity, respect and impartiality; without prejudice or discrimination;
• Practice openness and transparency in our decisions and actions;
• Cooperate in all reasonable ways with other government entities and to consider the impact our decisions may have outside our Township’s borders;
• Communicate to the public Township issues, challenges and successes, and welcome the active involvement of stakeholders to further the Township’s well-being;
• Strive for compliance with state and federal statutory requirements;
• Recuse a board member from participating in any decision where there was personal financial gain either expected or implied;
• Further the understanding of the obligations and responsibilities of American citizenship, democratic government and freedom.
These principles we pledge to our citizens, our state, and to our country.
December 17, 2015
New video showing Genoa Township Hall and facilities
Recently a high definition video was taken by drone over the Township Hall and surrounding area.
You can find the video here: https://youtu.be/w1JaFnu5KvU
Thanks and credit go to Brian Jonckheere, the Livingston County Drain commissioner.
July 21, 2015
Oak Wilt Information
Michigan has lost millions of trees due to Dutch Elm disease and the Emerald Ash Borer. Now our oak trees are in jeopardy. Red oak wilt is identified by the rapid wilting of an infected tree that is dead in two to six weeks. White oaks die slowly one branch at a time over the course of several years. Oak wilt is caused by the fungus that is spread by improper tree trimming and removal practices. It is spread in two ways - from tree to tree through connected roots and/or from spores being moved by insects.
To prevent the spread of oak wilt diseases please consider the following:
- Oak trees should not be pruned or trimmed between April 1 and October 15.
- Oak trees that are inadvertently injured or pruned between April 1 and October 15 should be promptly sealed with a tree pruning sealer or latex paint. The repair should take place within hours of the injury.
- Any developer, contractor and/or owner(s) of property preparing a site for construction during April 1st through October 15th should adhere to the above oak wilt prevention practices.
- Members of the white oak family diseased with oak wilt may be saved with tree injections of the fungicide Alamo by a registered company.
- Dead oak trees should be removed along with the stump and properly disposed of by chipping to less than 3 inches or removed to a disposal site for debarking, burning or burial.
- Oak wood retained as firewood should be sealed with a tarp.
January 21, 2015
Reflective Address signs now available for purchase at the Township Hall
Reflective address signs courtesy of the Brighton Area Fire Department are now available for purchase from the Township Hall. The signs are dark green with white numbers. The signs are double-sided with your address number and there are holes to allow for either horizontal or vertical mounting. Each sign is $15.00.
All proceeds from signs sold go to help fund the Brighton Area Fire Fighters Association, a non profit organization.
You may also order these reflective address signs through the Brighton Area Fire Department using the form below.
August 7, 2013
Information on Invasive Plants: Purple loosestrife and Russian olive.
Invasive plants are posing a real threat to Michigan's natural habitats. Purple loosestrife and Russian olive are two of the more aggressive plants that are crowding out native species. According to information from Michigan State University's Midwest Invasive Species Information Network (http://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/invasive-species/factsheets.cfm), "Early detection and eradication of these species is critical in preventing further damage to Michigan's natural areas."
Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is a beautiful plant with purple, pink or white flowers blooming in July through October. It will spread quickly in moist soil conditions, crowding out native plants such as cattails, which are needed for nesting and food sources. Some experts (http://www.miseagrant.umich.edu/downloads/ais/fs-97-501_purple_loosestrife.pdf) blame purple loosestrife for declining waterfowl populations. While deer forage on new purple loosestrife shoots in the spring, other animals avoid it. Experts on the MSU site recommend hand pulling seedlings; and removing all flowers seed heads.
Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) is a thorny shrub or small tree that grows up to 30 feet high. The leaves are light green and covered with silvery hairs. It blooms in June and July with yellowish flowers, eventually bearing hard yellow-red olive-shaped fruits. Russian olive grows in such a way that it fills in open areas, crowding out native plants. Experts on the MSU site recommend hand pulling seedlings. They caution that "burning, mowing, cutting, and girding can stimulate resprouting in larger plants without herbicide treatment; treat cut stumps with an herbicide."
For more information about purple loosestrife, Russian olive and other invasive plants threatening the state's natural habitats, visit http://www.misin.msu.edu/.
August 2, 2009
Livingston County Pet Adoption
Livingston County Animal Control
Pets available for adoption at the County Animal control can be found here
Livingston County Humane Society
Pets available for adoption at the Humane Society can be found here
January 16, 2009
Ash Tree Information
Detroit Edison has released an important announcement regarding ash trees.