DO NOT BRING SYRINGES TO THE CIVIC CENTER SITE; FOR PUBLIC HEALTH REASONS, WE ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT THEM AT THIS LOCATION.

Code Enforcement Division (248) 451-4800

Summertime Suggestions to Avoid Cold Weather Problems…

Sump Pump and Ground Water Discharges

West Bloomfield Township has an ordinance in place (Section 24-47) to deal with issues regarding the discharge of ground and/or drainage water from sump pumps and other similar devices onto the property of another. These ordinances are intended to address public safety issues regarding icing on roadways or other dangerous conditions and to protect the interests of adjacent property owners.

Ground water from sump pumps can be discharged into dedicated public storm drains, a natural watercourse or a ditch, swale or approved facility which has been constructed and approved for the purpose of receiving such a discharge. Sump pumps can not discharge upon a highway or street or within twenty (20) feet of the curb of any highway or street constructed with a curb or gutter. They must not discharge within twenty (20) feet of the traveled portion of any highway or street unless connected into a storm drain in such a highway or street under a valid permit from the authority having jurisdiction over such highway or street, or unless the flow is into an open roadside ditch along the highway or street.

Sump pumps or other methods of capturing or channeling ground or drainage water can not flow or drain onto or in any way affect the property of adjacent property owners, nor interfere with the quiet enjoyment of land by adjacent property owners.

The warm weather months are the best time to address these types of situations. It is much easier and less costly to correct these matters now rather than waiting until the temperature drops and the ground is frozen.

Storage of Firewood

Most everyone can understand the peaceful pleasure of a roaring fire in a fireplace on a cold winter night. Many of our residents stockpile firewood for just such occasions. Unfortunately these wood piles also provide an inviting environment for skunks and other forms of undesirable wildlife looking for a place to call home. Paragraph 9 of Section 10-18 of West Bloomfield Township ordinances requires that any and all firewood stored outdoors be stored eighteen (18”) above the ground, no closer than two (2’) feet from the property line, stacked in a neat and orderly manner with dimensions not exceeding five (5’) feet in height, five (5’) feet in width and fifty (50’) feet in length. The wood being stored should not be rotted or otherwise deteriorated and not infested with insects or harboring animals.

The West Bloomfield Police Department would like to take this opportunity to offer residents some reminders with the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year. One of the most important things is to check with your child’s school to be certain that they have the most current contact information for you. This should include valid home, work, and cell phone numbers. In addition, make sure to update and review the secondary contact information. This includes persons the school can call in the event you cannot be reached: grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings or family friends. Information that should be included along with this are any special needs your child may have, (allergies, required medications, disabilities). This information is useful in the event that the school has to contact the police or fire departments for some reason.

The beginning of another school year brings new challenges and adds to an already busy schedule for everyone. Parents, please take the time to talk to your children about what is going on in their lives. Communication is the most valuable asset and tool at your disposal. Unfortunately it is also the most over looked tool and something we take for granted. The benefits of setting aside some time to just talk and even more importantly LISTEN to what your children are saying will amaze you. Communication does not and should not end with your family. We strongly recommend that you take the time to talk to, meet and become familiar with the people your children associate with. This simple task will pay incredible dividends the instant you start doing it. This applies from pre-school age through high school, with a strong emphasis on the high school years. Never assume that “No news is good news”. Kids today are masters of communicating and we must keep up and use the same tools they are to be involved in their lives. We urge you to become familiar with the parents of the kids your children associate with; this will limit the potential for problems. This is the point where life gets tougher; parenting means you are, and must be, in charge. Communicating this allows you to set the tone, from academic performance to school night/weekend curfews. When you let your views be known you again set a boundary and send a message which allows your child to learn and grow.

The school year brings order and uniformity to life again. The lazy days of summer are gone, even though the temperature is sizzling. We sit back and relax, thanking our lucky stars the kids are back in school, but we need to be aware of what is going on around us. Your children will be catching buses, riding bikes, or walking to school. Yes, it is early in the morning, but look around to see if something or someone unusual is around the bus stop. Watch the routes kids take to and from school. If something does not seem “right” or “normal”, CALL the West Bloomfield Police Department (248-975-9200) and report it. Sharing information is easy to do and it will make your life, your community, and the start of another school year safer. Lastly, remind your children about traffic safety. Walking, driving cars, and riding bikes are all part of the beginning of school. However, people without kids forget they are out there again and don’t account for them. We don’t want anyone to get injured and reminding your children to slow down, and look around will make everyone safer. Remind the high school driver to buckle up and leave earlier to avoid congestion and the anxiety of being late. The West Bloomfield Police Department is committed to working with the community to make West Bloomfield the best it can be.

Building Department

For more information about building safety codes and local requirements, contact the Building Department below at: 1-248-451-4842 | www.wbtwp.com

Free home inspections will focus on maintaining a safe home environment; they will be performed from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. Please provide a date and time when we can inspect your home.

To schedule an appointment, send an email with Free Home Inspection in the subject line to: bsw@wbtwp.com or contact Carroll Oldford at 248-451-4842

When the hot summer sun beats down, a swimming pool is very appealing. Pools are also attractive and potentially dangerous to young children, Township building codes require pools to be fenced and gated, and sometimes equipped with alarms.

If you’re considering purchasing a swimming pool, contact the Development Services Department and ask for a plans examiner to determine exactly what permits are needed and what requirements you must follow.

“In-ground and above-ground pools, including inflatable pools holding more than 24 inches of water, must be surrounded by a fence or other barrier at least four feet high,”

“All gates must be self-closing and self-latching.”

If a home’s wall serves as part of the swimming pool’s barrier, doors with direct access to the pool must be equipped with an alarm.

“These codes are in place for a reason,” they are added safety measures to protect you and your guests from swimming pool accidents. As a pool owner, you are responsible for anyone in your pool.”

Other items to consider when installing a pool include zoning requirements, electrical clearances, utility easements and grading and drainage / soil erosion permits. We also suggest contacting your insurance agent before installing a swimming pool. Most insurance companies require additional liability coverage.

Coyotes

There have been recent concerns regarding coyotes in the area. West Bloomfield Township would like to inform you about these animals, dispel any false rumors, and to explain what to do if you encounter one.

What Does a Coyote Look Like?
Typically coyotes are yellowish gray, with white stomachs, pointed ears, and bushy tails. Coyotes are around 2-2.5 feet in height. They can weigh anywhere from 15-45 pounds.

Where Do Coyotes Live?
Coyotes are a very adaptable species. They live anywhere including deserts, woodlands, and even urban areas. Coyotes thrive in any area with a lot of cover, water, and food. This could include sleeping in dens made in forests by other animals or even culverts in urban areas.

What do Coyotes Eat?
Coyotes typically eat rabbits, shrews, squirrels, and dead deer. They are also known to eat domestic animals such as cats and small dogs. Due to the recent influx of coyotes into urbanized areas, they will also raid garbage cans for food. “Coyotes rarely attack humans. Bites from snakes, rodents, and domestic dogs are a far greater possibility than coyote bites, according to public health authorities.” (1) NEVER FEED a coyote. This will cause them to lose their fear of people, and could result in more aggressive behavior.

What Happens if I Encounter a Coyote?
Coyotes are usually timid creatures. If you encounter one: make loud noises, swing your arms or a stick, “throw rocks in the animal’s direction” (2), use pepper spray, or spray it with a hose. Do not run away, because a coyote may chase. Make sure you maintain eye contact with the animal at all times. You can report coyote encounters to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. If they become a problem, call Oakland County Animal Control at 248-391-4102.

How Can I Prevent an Encounter With a Coyote?

• Pick up piles of wood and brush.
• Secure garbage cans (especially at night).
• Watch over pets when they are outside.
• Do not leave pet food out.
• Avoid playing around storm drain ditches. These areas make for good dens.

Remember, coyotes are wild animals and should be treated as such. They should not be played with or be kept as pets. Coyotes are also mammals, and can carry rabies. If you are bitten, get medical attention.

Tours and Public Education Opportunities at the Fire Department!

Part of the mission of the fire department is to educate the public regarding fire safety and other related health and safety issues. We do this in several ways. Our Township Cable TV station produces “Eye on Fire”, which is a show that discusses a variety of topics from the Fire Department perspective. If you haven’t seen the show, check us out. Your local Cable TV guide will indicate the days and times the show is broadcast. However, our primary contact with the public comes from fire station tours and talks to groups. If you haven’t had a chance to be a part of one of those, here’s the scoop.

Fire Station Tours
For families, feel free to stop by any of our fire stations at any time. We’ve had folks just driving by stop in when one of the kids asks about seeing the fire station. If we’re there and available, we’re more than happy to show you around. Just be aware that even if we’re in quarters, we may be involved in something that would prohibit us from showing you around at that moment, so we may ask you to come back at a later time, but for the most part it’s no problem.

For groups such as schools, scouts, camps, or others, you need to schedule an appointment. Of course even with an appointment our priority is emergency runs, so there’s a chance we may not be there when you arrive, or that your tour may be interrupted. It’s the nature of the business. For these tours, we ask that groups to be 20 or less.

On Site Talks
For groups larger than 20, it’s usually best if we come to you. These groups are typically classrooms, religious groups, subdivision associations, public festivals, etc. We will come with a fire engine and a couple of firefighters to educate and entertain you. Unfortunately, we cannot do private home events, such as birthday parties. There’s just way too many kids turning 5 in West Bloomfield, and we’d be busy doing talks all day every day! Again, even in this instance, emergencies take priority.

For adults or high school age kids, we can conduct fire extinguisher demonstrations and trainings.

For either scheduled station tours or on site talks, you can register by going to the Township web site at www.wbtwp.com then click on the “departments” drop down menu. Select “Fire” then at the bottom of the page you’ll see a link for “Tour Request Form”. Or call Inspector Ruth Sherman at 248-409-1510. Hope to see you soon!

How Do I?

• Dispose of compact fluorescent light bulbs?
  Home Depot has launched a program in which they accept compact fluorescent light bulbs at any of their locations nationwide. Simply drop off your unbroken bulbs at the “Return Desk” and Home Depot will recycle them through an environmental management firm. In addition, you are always welcome to bring them to the Township sponsored household hazardous waste recycle events held each spring and autumn.
• Recycle my computer?
  This is another item which typically has been accepted at our household hazardous waste recycle event; however, there are additional options available for recycling the same. Staples, Inc. will accept your unwanted or outdated electronics at any of their stores for a $10.00 fee. This fee covers handling, transportation, disassembly and recycling.
• Dispose of odds and ends from home remodeling?
  Habitat for Humanity ReStore will often pick-up items for which you have no further need from doing a home improvement project. They accept anything you may find in your local home improvement store such as appliances, paint, plumbing fixtures, lighting, clean carpet, kitchen and bath cabinets etc. If you are tearing it down, give them a call first at 313-653-4890 to see if they can use your items. Donations are tax deductible.
• Find out about local ride share information?
  The Southeastern Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) has launched a ride share program to assist commuters with their daily travel. It even includes a guaranteed ride home program should you encounter an illness, unscheduled overtime or the unexpected departure of your carpool driver. In these cases reimbursement will be made for your taxi or rental care fare. Detailed information is available at www.semcog.org under “Hot Topics” on the home page. Or, simply follow the link on our Township website to “Southeastern Michigan Council of Governments” and search under the “Hot Topics” section of SEMCOG.
• Find out about current road construction in the area?
  Contact the Road Commission for Oakland County – their website is: www.rcocweb.org You may contact the RCOC Department of Citizen Services at 248-858-4804 to report potholes, check on a road project or if you have traffic signal concerns.

The Water Log - August 2008

Public patience and understanding has been appreciated as the Water and Sewer Department has been engaged in the middle-stages of overhauling the Township’s Water Distribution and Sanitary Sewer Collection Systems. Capital Master Plan Improvement Projects started in June on Lochaven Road, where new water main was installed to provide a loop in the distribution system. The Hiller Road water main loop is forecasted to be completed by the end of October. The Haggerty/Richardson Road water main loop is anticipated to be completed in November. Alden and Wellington Road water main replacements are scheduled for completion in October, and the Bloomfield Farms Subdivision water main replacement project is on schedule for completion in November.

Construction of multiple new Water System Pressure Reducing Valve Facilities are underway and on schedule for completion by December. These sites are located throughout the Township and affected residents have been notified and given the opportunity to offer input prior to the start of these projects. Water Main and Pressure Reducing Valve projects comply with Michigan Department of Environmental Quality regulations and benefit customer water and sewer services through improved hydraulic reliability, longevity of the system, and protection of public health, life and welfare.

There are (22) Sanitary Sewer Lift Stations strategically installed throughout the collection system. (19) of these critical pieces of infrastructure will be fully rehabilitated by the end of this year. Improvements include, but are not limited to: structures, pumps, controls, valves, piping, flow meters, and on-site natural gas-fired emergency backup generators. All (22) stations will be completely upgraded by the summer of 2009.

A new state of the art Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System has been engineered and will be integrated by December to fully monitor and control all water system pressures and provide continual oversight of six (6) isolated pressure district zones that have been designed and modeled to better control system pressures and flows. Additionally, SCADA will also be tied into all sanitary sewer lift station sites and provide 24-7 proprietary monitoring and automated dispatch coverage services.

Lastly, as a water customer of the Township and wholesale customer to the City of Detroit, if you want lower water rates, discontinuance of sprinkling lawns between 5am and 11pm will help. Outdoor watering between 4am and 5am will not only conserve water, but will substantially reduce the Township’s metered peak-hour demand and result in lower overall annual rate increases from Detroit to West Bloomfield Township.

If anyone should have any general or specific questions/concerns with regards to the Township’s water and/or sanitary sewer system, please feel free to contact my office directly at (248) 451-4785.

“Quality Water & Sewer Services: Our Commitment, Our Profession”

Respectfully, Ed Haapala, Water & Sewer Director