By Deb Malewski
– Contributing Writer

Last Tuesday, Feb. 18, Eaton Rapids Township officials met for the third time with concerned residents regarding the Canal and Columbia roads flooding situation. After much discussion, suggestions and comments, a decision was made to table a vote on the issue.

The holdup in making the decision was an expressed desire to have the full board present for the vote and to be able to do the research needed to determine if a solution suggested was financially and legally feasible.

Board trustee Bernie Morgan explained a project funding solution to the group, known as “Plan M.” The proposal suggested that, with careful funding, the repairs needed to the Bentley/ Depue drain can be done using township funds, Metro Act funds and road commission funds. It would not require an assessment on drainage district landholders, as all previous discussions have indicated would be the only solution. Metro Act funds is the money that the township collects from franchise fees from cable companies. The money must be spent on the road right-of-way and currently amount to approximately $20,000.

Morgan suggested that, with an estimated cost for the project at $50,000, the Township – Drains at Large fund could pay $5,000, the Metro Act monies would amount to $20,000 and the road commission would pay $10,000. This would leave $15,000 for the township to fund with their cash reserve.
The Michigan Drain Act of 1956 allows $5,000 in repairs per mile, per year, and this cost is ultimately added to residents of the drain district on their winter taxes. Any work needed over this amount requires a petition to be filed with the drain commissioner and the additional costs would be assessed to the residents of the drain district. Residents spoke out against this, believing it unfair that a group of approximately 244 residents would have to pay for the repair of a road that thousands drive on per day.
This repair won’t completely prevent the flooding, Morgan explained, as that is something that will cost millions of dollars, but it would speed the drainage and help prevent the road being closed for months at a time.
“I’d rather pay zero percent of your money to cure 99 percent of the problem,” Morgan said. “We’re looking at whatever is financially sound for the township.

“If the suggestion doesn’t work, we can look at it again in two years.”
Some who spoke at the meeting suggested that it might be best to rebuild the entire drain, while some suggested that the road itself needs to be addressed, as it is a part of the problem.
Russ Hicks, who is a member of the Regional Flood Plain Planning Commission and a resident of the township, warned of “disturbing events coming our way,” as far as rain in the future, with extreme rainfall events on the rise that could erode the base of structures like the road.

Rob Sepeter, a local resident who has been working on this issue for many years, is concerned that the road itself has sunk. He thinks the road needs to be raised a few feet but not the eight to ten feet that the drain commission feels is needed and would come at a much greater cost.

Research needs to be done on what the township legally can do, Morgan explained, and if the financial expenditures are doable. This may take a few months to research, he said.

Morgan said that this might be considered a band-aid to the problem, but the focus should be on getting the road open and to get the drain as operational as possible, without saddling a small number of people with the cost of the repair.
No definite date was set for any further discussion or vote on the issues. Robin Morgan, township clerk, said she will post notice of their next meeting regarding the issue on Facebook and outside the township office.

PHOTO INFO:

Photo by Deb Malewski

Township resident Janice Heck was one of the concerned citizens who spoke at the Feb. 18 meeting.