Delta Township monthly news & updates
Vol. 5 | Issue 3
2019
Help Us Plan for the Future: Participate in a Community Survey for the 2019 Delta Township Comprehensive Plan
Delta Township is preparing to update its 2013 Comprehensive Plan for Land Use. The Delta Township Comprehensive Plan for Land Use is a document that sets forth goals & policies for community growth/redevelopment for the next 20 years; helping to shape our community by identifying issues, opportunities, and priorities, and allocating resources accordingly.

The Michigan Planning Enabling Act (MPEA), Act 33 of 2008, provides the power & authority for communities to engage in planning. The Act requires that a plan be reviewed every 5 years & updated as necessary. Delta’s update is being conducted in accordance with provisions of this Act.

A vital part of Delta’s planning process is to obtain input from its residents. It is crucially important that the Plan reflect the needs, desires, and vision of those who live in the Township. We are inviting you to be involved in the planning process by participating in the Delta Township Comprehensive Plan Public Input Survey. The survey can be taken online by visiting   https://arcg.is/0GKn4T .  If desired, paper copies of the survey are available on request from the Delta Township Planning Department, located at 7710 West Saginaw Highway, Lansing, MI 48917. You can reach the Planning Department by phone at 517-323-8560.

Another cool way to participate in the planning process is to “Show Off Your Neighborhood”. By clicking on this link  http://bit.ly/2Dcxnt3 , you can submit photos of your neighborhood’s best: beautiful homes, excellent parks, community projects, and more. Just drop a point on the map and attach your photo.

Thank you for your input.
Spring Projects FAQ
Your quick reference guide to parameters and permitting for five common Spring home projects.

Presented by the Delta Township Building Department. For questions or permitting information please call 517-323-8530.
Why Are Fire Hydrants Important?
Fun Fact:
There are 2,213 fire hydrants in Delta Township.
While fire hydrants are a familiar sight, we should all be aware of the importance of each hydrant to the community – not only for firefighting, but for the operation and maintenance of our water system.

Because they are so important, fire hydrants receive a lot of attention. Each fire hydrant receives regular maintenance. Of the 2,213 hydrants, 343 were repainted in 2018.

The Township is responsible for maintenance of the fire hydrants that our fire Department uses to protect our community. Help the local fire department and the Delta Township Utility Department by following these simple tips to keep fire hydrants working properly and accessible when they are needed:
  • Keep cars, bikes, toys and other objects away from fire hydrants at all times.
  • During winter months, shovel snow away from fire hydrants.
  • Mow and trim grass or weeds around fire hydrants near your property.
  • Do not plant flowers or shrubs around fire hydrants.
  • Using fire hydrants for private use is strictly prohibited.
Mt. Hope Park Progress Video
As we kick off the spring season, check out the latest activity at Mt. Hope Park. Some very exciting development is starting to come together.
Passport Processing in Delta
1,583 passport applications (1,257 adult and 326 minor) were processed during 2018, a nearly 10% increase over 2017’s total of 1,436. This generated nearly $69,000 in revenue for Delta Township. Revenue is derived from the U.S. Department of State mandated $35.00 fees. Additional monies come from the 1,504 passport photos taken in the Clerk’s Office.  

Passport applications have seen a dramatic increase in the 12 years since Delta Township implemented being a Passport Acceptance Agency. This increase is driven by a variety of factors including the ease at Delta Township, the hours are Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and a number of extended evening hour opportunities. Close proximity parking also adds to the convenience of using Delta Township as your Acceptance Agency. Additionally, the Department of State has significantly reduced the number of small post offices that accept applications in an effort to improve service delivery to their passport customers.  

Delta Township has five certified Acceptance Agents who are required to take an annual course and pass the associated test.

The Clerk's Office will hold extended hour passport drives during 2019. One picture is required when submitting a passport application (Form DS-11 ONLY) and can be obtained at the Clerk’s Office for a $12.00 fee. If you are in need of a new passport, or to renew your existing passport, and find it difficult to get to our office during regular office hours mark your calendar.  The Clerk’s office will be open to accept passport applications (Form DS-11 ONLY) on the following dates in 2019:

  • Wednesday, April 24 – 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, August 17 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Tuesday, September 10 – 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Wednesday, September 25 – 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Thursday, October 3 – 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Severe Weather Awareness Week March 24 through March 30
Governor Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed March 24-30 as Severe Weather Awareness Week and the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD) is encouraging residents to prepare before severe weather strikes this spring and summer.

Steps you can take to be better prepared before severe weather strikes include understanding severe weather warnings and terms, preparing an emergency preparedness kit, making an emergency plan, and creating an emergency contact list.

A statewide tornado drill is scheduled to occur at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27 . Businesses, organizations, families and individuals are encouraged to join Delta Township in the statewide preparedness activity. Nearly all State of Michigan facilities will participate.

For more information about being safe before, during and after a tornado, follow MSP/EMHSD on Twitter at @MichEMHS or go to www.michigan.gov/miready . Be a part of the severe weather awareness conversation by using the hashtags #MIREADY and #MITORNADOREADY.

Eaton County will be practicing and testing all of their tornado warning procedures during the statewide tornado drill, which includes messages from the Rave Alert system. At the time of the drill, expect to receive an alert on your residential and business landline telephones (cell phone devices will also receive the alert if you have subscribed to Rave Alerts from Eaton County). The call will clearly announce that it is a drill.
Upcoming Events
Easter Bunny Meet & Greet
Wednesday, April 10 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Delta Township District Library
Come and meet the Bunny himself. Bring your camera for a great photo opportunity. While you're there make an Easter craft. No need to register. This event is free for all.
Pint-Sized Picassos
Thursdays from 10 - 11 a.m.
April 11 - May 16
Delta Township Enrichment Center - 4538 Elizabeth Rd.
No need to register
$1.00 per child per week
adults are free
Parents, bring your children to our drop-in art program. We provide the materials and your child provides the creativity.
For information on these event, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 517-323-8555.
Delta Township Board Proclaims April
As Autism
Awareness Month
At the March 18, 2019 board meeting, the Delta Township Board proclaimed the Month of April as Autism Awareness Month and April 2 as Delta for Autism Awareness Day. Nearly 50 people were in attendance for the board meeting.
Pictured L to R: XDAF Vice Chair Kellie Dean, Founder/CEO XDAF, Xavier DeGroat, Delta Township Clerk Mary R. Clark, Delta Township Supervisor Kenneth R. Fletcher, Delta Township Trustee Fonda J. Brewer, Delta Township Trustee Karen J. Mojica, Delta Township Treasurer Howard A. Pizzo, and Delta Township Trustee Andrea M. Cascarilla.
Delta Township Board
Kenneth R. Fletcher
Supervisor
Mary R. Clark
Clerk
Howard A. Pizzo
Treasurer
Fonda J. Brewer
Trustee
Andrea M. Cascarilla
Trustee
Dennis R. Fedewa
Trustee
Karen J. Mojica
Trustee
Summer Sewer Max Credit
Delta Township grants automatic sewer credits to all residential customers April-September. The process referred to as "Summer Sewer Max", assures summer sewer bills will not increase for seasonal water usage such as filling pools and lawn irrigation. 
 
A "sewer maximum" is established by calculating the highest average of the two winter quarters (Oct-Dec & Jan-Mar). This average is the maximum a customer will be billed for sewer April September. Customers will be charged for full water usage during these months, but the sewer portion of the bill will not exceed the "sewer maximum". Therefore, customers will avoid paying sewer charges for excess water usage during the summer months. In addition, this policy makes secondary irrigation meters unnecessary. 
 
This credit is automatic and does not require you to contact us. However, if you have any questions regarding the calculation of the sewer credit, please contact the Delta Township Accounting Department at 323-8510. 
Battle of the Books

Delta Township District Library & Grand Ledge Area District Library's all-ages Battle of the Books took place January-March, with the final battle on March 9. It was the program's biggest year yet, with 27 teams competing in an exciting and close competition. Teams read the five selected Battle books in January and February, then were tested on their knowledge in a series of fun trivia battles.  This year's winning team, Readdits 2.0 (Picutred below) , consisted of Jeffrey Belding, Jonah Belding, Bert Belding, Addison Montgomery, and Anna Montgomery. In second place were The Book Devourers: Caden Hoskins, Cindy Hoskins, Emberlynn Lewis-Baldon, Allison Morgan, and Akshath Vinod, and Book Slayers came in third, with Emily Constan, Audrey Fancher, Jasmine Moser, Diane Constan, and Jennifer Fancher.
 Improve your Neighborhood with a Grant from Delta Township
Delta Township created this program so residential neighborhoods and neighborhood organizations can apply for matching funds for improving their identification and welcome signs to their neighborhood. Matching funds will be available on a first come/first serve basis and typical grant awards are in the amount of $500. It is part of the Township's goal to help create community identity, neighborhood involvement, and encourage and maintain the character of residential neighborhoods.

Application Process
Completed applications should be submitted to the Delta Township Accounting Department. All applications received will be reviewed within 30 days of receipt. Once a grant has been awarded, the project lead person will be notified via email. For questions about the grant program please contact Jeff Anderson, Finance Director at 517-323-8510 or via email at janderson@deltami.gov .
Delta Township strives to offer services that help to make our Township a great community to live in. That is why we offer multiple recycling opportunities to our residents throughout the the year including general paper, plastic, glass and metal recycling; yard waste disposal; and monthly electronics recycling.
Discover Delta
Check out the latest editions of our Delta Township publications.



Eaton County 
Satellite Office
The Eaton County Clerk's office and Treasurer's office are holding hours in the lower level of the Delta Township Administration Building. 

Please see the following schedule for days and times the satellite office will be open:

County Clerk
Holds hours every first and third Friday of each month 
from 9 a.m. to  1 p.m.

County Treasurer
Holds hours every second and fourth Friday of each month from  9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Public Transportation
 
EATRAN is a countywide open-door, curb-to-curb public transportation service offered in Eaton County. 

Call to Schedule a ride at: 
517-543-4087 -or-
517-371-3312

Click  here  for more information.

Click the image to view the service map
Delta Township Department Directors
Rick Kane
Utilities Director

Marcus Kirkpatrick
Parks & Rec. Director 

David Marquette
IT Director
Mary Rzepczynski
DTDL Director

Lt. Ross Tyrell
ECSO - Delta Patrol

Ernie West
Township Engineer
Have Questions, Comments, or Suggestions?
E-mail the Editor  
(517) 323-8590
Township Clerk
(517) 323-8500
Township Manager's Office
(517) 323-8590
Delta Township | www.deltami.gov