Chesterfield Supervisor Boasts Surplus, New Business

A $600,000 surplus, future businesses to attract visitors and new technology are among Chesterfield Township's accomplishments over the past year.

Supervisor Michael Lovelock gave a State of the Township address in mid-April, boasting a general fund budget in the black, and other reached goals:

Among his highlights:

• Township events and board meetings are televised "On Demand" on www.chesterfieldtwp.org.
• The township entered a five-year agreement with MedStar, making the ambulance service the second emergency responder after township firefighters.
• The drive into the Historical Village on municipal grounds was officially named Deeby Historical Drive after the Deeby family that's been active in the community for years.
• The township has a $600,000 general fund surplus due to energy reductions, savings in municipal car and building insurance and other measures, such as wage freezes. The township has no plans to reallocate the money for other use; rather officials would like to keep the community in the black.

Police Department:

• and agreed to shared use of dispatching and data management services.
• Under the direction of Chief Bruce Smith, officers are working 12-hour shifts in an effort to increase residents' protection.
• Lt. Charles Verschaeve attended the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA last spring.
• From October to December, $2,300 was saved at the police station thanks to lighting upgrades, according to an electrical power usage study. 
• The department finished the fiscal year with nearly $100,000 surplus and didn't use $426,000 that was projected to be needed to balance the budget.

Parks and Recreation:

• The popular Summer Salute, a free family-friendly event, will be back again this year, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 18 on municipal grounds.
• Concerts will return to on July 19 and July 26 with an Elvis impersonator and Detroit Brass Society to perform, respectively.
• Batting cages and pitching machines are in place at Pollard Park in time for spring training.

Building Department:

• From Jan. 1, 2010-March 31, 2011, building officials issued 75 residential permits, 22 condo permits, 40 commercial permits, 575 miscellaneous permits and 275 foreclosure permits.
• Among the proposed projects are: a Carl's Golfland at 24 Mile and Gratiot (business officials declined to discuss the project at this time), Stahl's Automotive (in which an estimated 200 vintage cars will be displayed in the industrial area of Gratiot near 25 Mile) and Village of East Harbor Cottages.

Fire Department:

• received an Assistance to Firefighter grant for the replacement of personal protective clothing in the amount of $37,281, with the township share of $4,142.
• A recent public safety cost analysis for Macomb County found the township department had the lowest dollar cost per resident of any 24/7, full-time or combination fire department. "Compared to all 26 communities in the county, we ranked 18th in cost per resident for fire protection."

Senior Center:

• There are 2,390 seniors registered at the township senior center to participate in weekly programs, such as crafts, cards, dancing, art and more.

Clerk's Office:

• Clerk Jan Uglis and Deputy Clerk Eric Wurmlinger oversaw the consolidation of school election precincts in the community, saving L'Anse Creuse Public Schools $1,200 and Anchor Bay School District $600.
• The office also processes passports for the convenience of non-residents and residents.

Treasurer's Office:

• Treasurer Linda Hartman and Deputy Treasurer Ellen Clark reconfigured counter space to better serve residents and are looking into ways to improve online bill payments. The township also plans on saving more than $11,000 in postage under a new mailing system.

To view Lovelock's speech, visit www.chesterfieldtwp.org.