Lisa Lee
Contributing Writer

(Lisa Lee/TCJ: This was the situation on April 4 at Danford Park in Dimondale.)

According to the NOAA website, three to five inches of accumulated rainfall across much of lower Michigan occurred over the first five days of April. With rivers overflowing, some communities issued warnings while other communities discreetly reported the discharges to EGLE and local health departments.  

The City of Jackson and the City of Lansing also reported combined sewer overflows during the periods of heavy rain. Further down the Grand River, Allendale Township in Ottawa County actually put in place a “No Bodily Contact” advisory due to the high levels of pollution. More information on discharges can be found by searching EGLE MiEnviro Portal (EGLE stands for Michigan Department of Environmental, Great Lakes, and Energy).

According to Ralph Rezick, Dimondale Village president, at the April 13 Village Council meeting, Dimondale was one of the few communities to actually put out a public advisory in real time, warning residents about discharge and to ask that water usage be minimized during the flood to reduce the amount of discharge into the Grand River. The discharge only lasted a few hours until the Village pumps were back in working order. Rezick requested they investigate future infiltration issues to take corrective measures to minimize future flood related overflows.

Other council matters discussed at the April 13 meeting:

-The selection process has begun for the hiring of a new Village Deputy, over 40 people have applied for the position.  

-Elections are coming up in November for Village Council members. The three members on the council were advised to submit their names for the ballot by July 25 or they will end their terms in December. Members of the community may also register their names to be put on the ballot for council membership.

-Danford Park and Lion’s Park facilities are open for the warmer months. Also, a grant proposal is being written to the State of Michigan for the possibility of upgrading the Lion’s Park pavilion to ADA accessible restrooms and for a new roof. 

-The contract was awarded to American Asphalt for the repaving of Hamilton and Ash Streets as well as the paving around the waste water treatment plant.

-Storm damage was reported to several streets in the Village and are under review for repairs.

-A Community Center for Dimondale is in the works, more information will be forthcoming.

The meeting concluded with a request that attendees help spread the word that a house fire occurred in the community and a father and both twin toddlers were severely injured.  A fundraiser for the family will take place on April 28 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Morning Lori’s.