Township Departments
Supervisor - FAQ

Q. Whose responsibility is it to take care of the roads?

A. All of the roads in Chesterfield Township are either County roads or private roads. Townships do not own roads, as such. It is the county's responsibility to maintain county roads and the resident's responsibility to maintain private roads. However, the Township, in working with the county, does grade or plow snow on county roads, if the County gives the Township permission.

Since this board took office in November 2000, the board has voted to pay 20% of the paving cost of county roads. The county usually pays 40%. This would leave the residents with a 40% balance, as their share.

Q. Who chlorides the roads?

A. With regards to dust, the county usually pays for one application of chloride. All other applications are paid for out of the Township's general fund.

Q. Who do residents call to cut the weeds in the County drain ditches?

A. The residents call the Drain Commission office at 586-469-5325 or the Township offices at 586-949-0400.

Q. If a resident is denied a variance at the ZBA, can the Township Board overturn that decision if the resident appeals to the Township Board.

A. The Township board cannot overturn a ZBA decision. The only way the ZBA decision can be overturned is through Circuit Court. The Township Board can enter into a consent court agreement to settle a ZBA appeal.

Q. What is being done to improve the parks?

A. Chesterfield Township has been working very hard to improve the existing parks and clear the land near the end of Community Drive for a new park.

Pollard Park - New lights were installed this year so that soccer and baseball can be played on the existing diamonds at night. A hike/bike path was installed this year for residents to use if they want to walk, roller blade or ride their bikes.

Brandenburg Park - A new hike/bike trail was put through the park this year with the Federal Government paying 80% of the cost and the Township paying 20%. Connie M. Bowles Memorial Park is being developed on 25 Mile and Gratiot to service residents in the north end of the Township. We are diligently looking for ways to improve the recreational facilities for Chesterfield Township residents. We welcome your suggestions.

Q. Who picks up trash in the Township?

A. Currently contractors who are privately contracted by the homeowner picks up trash. The Chesterfield Township board will be contracting with one waste hauler, on a competitive bid basis, not only to save the residents money but also to decrease the number of trucks on the road on Tuesdays. This bid process is ongoing and a determination should be made after August 2005.

Q. Who regulates wetlands in Chesterfield Township and do you think the Township should buy property to protect wetlands.

A. Wetlands are protected by the DEQ, which is a state-operated department. The Township has no control over existing wetlands. Wetlands should be protected. However, the Township cannot purchase every piece of land when a development starts. If the Township enacted a wetlands, this would not stop development. The only way the Township can stop development would be to buy property to protect wetlands or open space. I do not feel the residents of Chesterfield Township would approve a tax millage for this purpose, which would provide sufficient money to buy aIl of the alleged wetlands in the Township. The State has the resources and personnel to do this job and defend lawsuits from developers.

Q. What cable companies are in the Township?

A. The Township has only one Cable Company and that is Comcast. There has been no other cable company requesting to move into the Township since I have been Supervisor. If one did, I would do everything possible to permit competition for the cable services.

Q. Why did the Township build an addition to the current township building?

A. The current Township building was erected in 1991. It contains a meeting room, two small breakout rooms and a senior wing, as well as the office space necessary to conduct the affairs of the Township and properly serve the residents. The Township has literally outgrown this space. The addition was necessary to move the Building Department in order to free up some space for personnel in other departments and storage.

The Township Board approved making a focal entrance point into the Township Hall. This improved the aesthetics of the building so everyone knows what door to enter to access all of the different departments.

The senior wing of the Township was paid for through Block Grant money (government funds). This portion of the building is for the use of senior citizens and cannot be used on a day-to-day basis for the needed space necessary to operate the township. The new addition has 10,000 square feet with 4,000 square feet being reserved for storage space.