Forsythe is two separate roads, with one on the north end and one on the south end.  Currently, the township only maintains south Forsythe. 

 

In August, the township received a petition from Tom Lopez on the north end asking the township to take over the maintenance of the road. He said the big concerns were health and safety issues, where medical/fire vehicles have a hard time getting in and out of the narrow road and have gone down the wrong end not realizing it didn’t go through. He felt by connecting the two segments, those issues would be resolved.  

 

At that meeting, the board discussed whether it was necessary and/or cost-effective to make the improvements.

 

Township Clerk Jean Just said if the township made improvements to extend the road and bring it up to standards, property owners along the road would be assessed the cost.

 

She said 100 percent of the people on the road must agree to the improvements and costs before the board would consider upgrading and maintaining the road.

That evening, the board took no action.

 

At the September meeting, Supervisor Bill Langenbacher said he had received a letter from Clearwater Fire Chief Ryan Pridgeon indicating they would not be able to get a fire engine, rescue or an ambulance down its length the way the road is now.  He also stated he would like to see both halves connected instead of having two dead ends with very small turn-around areas. 

 

Rather than make a decision that night, Langenbacher said he felt there should be a public meeting so all residents on the road could give their opinion.

Last Monday, a number of residents attended the meting, including John Notsch, Jim Lee, Sharon Lee, Gary Rieder, Myron Wilson, Ron Schabel, Carlos Lopez, Clara Lopez, Tom Lopez, Dan Kemkes, Mary Kemkes, Jenice Schroetke, Jessica Rieder, Karen Durant and Scott Durant.

 

During discussion, some residents were against the proposal to extend the road. There was concern about more traffic and the speed of drivers, along with having to cut down many large trees that are a buffer for the freeway noise.

 

There were concerns about cost to the township if surveys had to be done and how much fill would have to be added - along with how much homeowners would have to pay to have the work done. 

 

But a new proposal was also brought forward - to extend south Forsythe approximately 30 to 50 feet to the north and construct a new cul-de-sac within the existing 66-foot right-of-way, allowing Mr. Lopez to connect to south Forsythe. It would cost less than a major extension, and the township wouldn’t have to maintain the north segment. Lopez said he would withdraw the petition if that improvement was done.

 

Langenbacher proposed they table the issue until to get additional information. 

 

Supervisor Scott Miller made a motion to table it until the November meeting so they could further investigate the cost, where the property lines are, and talk to the landowners that would be affected by the new cul-de-sac. 

 

That voted passed, 3-0.

 

(Due to Veterans Day, the next board meeting will be held Wed., Nov. 7).