PUBLIC HEARING ON ADVANCEMENT TO CONSTRUTION PHASE
PROPOSED NEW THORNAPPLE RIVER BRIDGE AND IMPROVEMENTS TO CRANE ROAD AND FINKBEINER ROAD IN THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP,
BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN
Commissioner Don Willcutt invited the audience to participate in the pledge of allegiance. The public hearing was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Commissioner Don Willcutt in the Thornapple Township Emergency Services Building.
Brief Presentation by Brad Lamberg.
Willcutt asked to hear from those who would like to make public comments on the project.
Chad Vartanian – New landowner, 10721 Finkbeiner as of November 2008.
Spoke about loss of trees, replacement of paved drives
Paul Hillman –
Spoke about funding (not enough, where was the money coming from), who decides “The Greater Good”
Veronica Scolfield for Doris Squier – 9225 Finkbeiner
Spoke of flooding of pastures during June 7, 2008 storm event, Village annexing due to bridge, Cost of project, Impact to her farm due to the project, state “she is going to stop the project because she too has skeletons in her closet”
John Herweyer – 9050 Crane Road
Concerns of flooding, and amount of floodplain fill.
Cindy Herweyer – 9050 Crane Road
Spoke about Dave Dykstra being on the board, (essentially conflict of interest, his pet project), Cost of the project will be much greater than anyone has anticipated, erosion in her front yard and potential for the proposed project, traffic signal at M-37, truck traffic, Jobs today funding, runoff.
Nancy Cole – 1067 Arlington
Concerns of flooding, runoff from new pavement, decrease in customers for Downtown Middleville, urban sprawl ending.
Jerry McQuinney – 2051 Finkbeiner
Safety was his main concern; his home sits close to the road. He felt that certain people on the project received favoritism and that the BCRC may not be treating everyone equal.
Tim and Lori Fisher – 5065 Country Lane
Opposed to project, safety concerns, loss of county setting.
Shelly Hall – corner of Finkbeiner & Cherry Valley
Concerns about speed, traffic, and flooding
(Richard) James Ward – 5011 Whitneyville
Concerns about proposed ROW, shifting of existing Centerline toward his property, design slopes, loss of trees.
John Otto (for Rose Otto) – Crane Road
Concern about urban sprawl, why can’t we just wait to replace the Main Street Bridge, Bradford White planned access drive on Crane, Rails to Trails, Cost estimates for the project breakdowns.
Lon Meyers – Village of Middleville, President
Spoke in support of the project
April Gross – 10726 Finkbeiner
Noise concerns – husband works 3rd shift, most specific noise concerns about “Jake Braking” wants signs for “No Jake Braking”, wants a light at M-37.
Dave Rudd – 10410 Finkbeiner
Not for or against the project, but want a light at M-37.
Willcutt asked if anyone wanted to speak regarding the proposed project. There were no further public comments.
Willcutt closed the public comment period at 7:52 p.m. and asked for Board Comments.
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Motion was made and seconded to table the discussion about moving ahead to the Construction Phase until the regularly scheduled Board Meeting of the Barry County Road Commission on June 24, 2008. Public comment will be held at 5:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Willcutt, Dykstra, & Fiala
Nays, None
Motion Carried
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Willcutt stated that Road Commission Employees would be available after the meeting or by appointment to answer individual questions and concerns.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:04 p.m.
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Chairman Secretary
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