Happy holidays! City offices will be closed on Friday, Dec. 30, and Monday, Jan. 2, in observance of the holidays. Next week's City News will be issued on Friday, Jan. 6, due to City Council meeting on Thursday evening.

Meetings

Agendas and minutes are available by clicking here

Planning Commission - Tuesday, Jan. 3, 7 p.m. - Council Chambers
Board of Zoning Appeals - Wednesday, Jan. 4, 7 p.m. - Council Chambers - City Hall
City Council - Thursday, Jan. 5, 7 p.m. - Council Chambers - City Hall or via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89053721179 or +1 646 931 3860 +1 305 224 1968 Webinar ID: 890 5372 1179

Anyone needing assistance should contact the City Manager's office at 248-449-9905. More information about online meetings and a user guide are available here.

This Just In

Highlights of 2022

This was a year of acceleration for the city of Northville. City Council put the pedal to the metal on several decisions that have been years in the making. The big news of 2022 centered on four key areas:

1. Approval, with conditions, of Hunter Pasteur Northville’s preliminary PUD site plan for the Downs and surrounding property. The project will repurpose a 48-acre parcel of land into single-family homes, multi-family homes, a condominium building, an apartment building, expanded commercial space on Cady and portions of S. Center (townhomes with first-floor commercial space), two parks, and a daylighted river.

2. A decision to permanently close two streets of downtown at Main and Center (to Hutton and Dunlap, respectively). Plans are now underway to improve the area in a manner that encourages casual gathering and interaction among residents, visitors and businesses on and near those streets.

3. The purchase of property for a future Farmers’ Market at 7 Mile, west of S. Main (the former McDonald Ford site). Due diligence is underway and will be completed before the city officially holds title to the property. The location was recommended by the Farmers’ Market Task Force.

4. Approval of the first brownfield granted by the city. This was for developers of The Foundry, 456 Cady, where a mixed-use building will be constructed on the former Foundry Flask property that has been vacant for decades.

In addition to these headline decisions, the city also moved forward on other fronts.

The River Restoration Task Force members presented their framework report to council and were instrumental in teeing up a $2.5 million grant to go toward daylighting the river.

Trash collection is one of life’s necessities. The Department of Public Works signed a new five-year contract with GFL Environmental to collect trash from residences and businesses, collect and process recycling, and conduct brush chipping. Residents learned a new way to put out trash and recyclables – in large, wheeled carts with attached lids.

Nearly three miles of streets were repaved, and improvements were made to water mains and storm sewers. Residents on Lake Street won their battle against flooded streets with new drainage and storm sewer system installation.

The City of Northville Police Department received accreditation by the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police (MACP). A high priority for Police Chief Alan Maciag, accreditation included meeting 105 standards, an exacting process that involved the 13-member police department. It also engaged the community, which made positive comments. Accreditation is voluntary but a mark of excellence for police departments that attain it.

The social district is expanded along W. Main, up to The Garage, and along portions of Wing and S. Center, allowing six restaurants and bars to apply for a special liquor license prior to joining the Twist, the DDA’s name/identity for the social district.

Strategic planning began in 2022 to find ways to fund initiatives that include Ford Field enhancements (new restrooms, replace the play structure, and build a new pedestrian entrance on Hutton); create a riverwalk at the Downs (after river is daylighted); and acquire land and erect a multi-purpose building for the new Farmers’ Market. This work continues in 2023.

On Jan. 6. 2023, City Manager Pat Sullivan retires from his post. Interim City Manager Mark Wollenweber will take the lead for the city as the mayor and City Council focus on hiring a new city manager with leads and guidance from an executive recruitment firm.
Photos: Top: Sue Grissim (in red jacket), conducts a walking tour of Downtown Northville on Dec. 7 that showed members of the community how the streets could be revitalized as part of the pedestrian plan. Photo by Liz Cezat. Below: Architectural rendering from Hunter Pasteur Northville of the new development planned for the Downs.

Allen Terrace residents delight in festive holiday party

The Housing Commission hosted a holiday party on Dec. 15 for residents of Allen Terrace, the city-owned senior residential building at 401 High Street. Commissioners Jan Valade and Kristine Ritter helped coordinate the event and put together gift bags, which were raffled off to four winners.

Photos were taken by Allen Terrace staff and friends.
Right: Housing Director Jolyn Gismonde and Mary Foley, administrative assistant (in red top), wish everyone a fun holiday season and happy New Year.

Below: Manning the buffet table are (from left) Rich Gismonde (Jolyn's husband), and Commissioners Dave Linden and James Petres. // Residents enjoyed food catered by Genitti’s in the remodeled activity room that was newly furnished in 2022.

Renew annual parking permits

If you need to park your vehicle on a city street or in a lot overnight for an extended period of time, you will need a permit. Parking is prohibited on city streets, municipal lots and in the Central Business District between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. Please complete this application and submit it
to the Police Department to obtain a permit. Any outstanding parking tickets must be paid before a permit will be issued.

An annual parking permit costs $120 and is valid from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31. The parking sticker should be placed on the vehicle’s rear window in the upper left corner.

The Police Dept. Records Bureau will be closed on Dec. 30 and Jan. 2 for the holidays.

Northvillians and friends,

As we ready for 2023, I wish you all the best in what the New Year will bring. I encourage you to continue to share your time and talents with those in need in our community. In this week’s letter, I’ll highlight some of the New Year’s activities from yesteryear. These bring to mind a well-known but very appropriate saying - “It’s not the destination that’s important in life but the journey itself.” And we will continue that journey in 2023 in Northville, the town we call our Hamlet in the Hills and Switzerland of Wayne County.

Make your New Year’s resolutions, keep the community we love close in your thoughts and stay connected to those you love.

Let’s get ready for an amazing 2023 and start the New Year strong … together!
Keep that Northville New Year’s Faith!

View the entire letter here or on the city website.

Brian Turnbull
Mayor, Northville

Things to do

Doing Business

Winter tax bills can be paid now through Feb. 14

Winter tax bills have been mailed. Winter 2022 taxes are payable without penalty and/or interest through Feb. 14. On Feb. 15, 2023, a 3% penalty will be added.

Taxpayers who live in Oakland County, north of 8 Mile, will see an additional tax on their winter tax bill to cover the voter-approved .95 mill transportation millage to maintain and expand public transit services in Oakland County for the next 10 years.

Sign up for automatic tax bill payment

Take advantage of automatic tax bill payment. Residents and businesses may pay their tax bills automatically by completing the online form.

Enroll in the program and your summer tax bill will be paid on Aug. 31. For the winter tax bill, you designate the date of payment as either Dec. 31 or Feb. 14. By taking advantage of this program, your taxes will always be paid on time.

Participants in automatic bill payment of property taxes receive their tax bill in the mail on July 1 and Dec. 1 with a letter confirming when the withdrawal will be made from their account. Please note: If selected, EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) must be used for both winter and summer tax bills annually.

Dog licenses are up for renewal

All dogs four months and older must be licensed. The annual license fee is $13 ($10 with documented spay/neuter). Dog licenses for 2022 expire on Feb. 28, 2023. Please provide a current rabies vaccination certificate at the time of application. Licenses are available at the City Clerk’s Office. If you want to register by mail, please download an application.

Around Town

Report a burned-out streetlight

Streetlight out? Businesses and residents can report streetlight outages online at the DTE streetlight outage reporting tool. Businesses and residents who have a DTE wooden power pole on or adjacent to their property are eligible to have outdoor protective lighting installed on the pole to illuminate their private property. Residents may even qualify for no up-front cost installation. Please call 866-503-0627 and leave a message with your contact information for a response from a DTE representative within three business days.

It’s time for cemetery blankets and wreaths

Winter grave blankets and wreaths are permitted Nov. 15 to March 1. At that time, these holiday items will need to be removed by the owner if they want to keep them. Otherwise, the maintenance staff will dispose of them. During the holidays, many people place items such as pumpkins, Christmas trees, and other holiday decorations on or near grave sites. Any of these items that are unsightly or interfere with normal cemetery maintenance will be removed.

Keep sidewalks clear of snow and ice

Property owners (residents and businesses) must clear sidewalks within 24 hours of a snow or ice event by ordinance. When clearing snow, do not blow or shovel snow into any roadway. The DPW only clears sidewalks that are on city-owned or operated properties, such as those at City Hall, the Fire Station and cemeteries. Prompt removal of snow reduces the need for salt. That means less salt travels to storm drains, which discharge into the Middle Rouge River.

Keep your dog on a leash in public parks

Ford Field is a popular place to take dogs for a walk or a run. Police monitor this park regularly to ensure that dog owners are following the ordinance for keeping dogs on leash. When dogs run off leash, it may cause dogs on leashes to react aggressively toward them; in addition, some adults and children are fearful of dogs running off leash.

Any person violating Section 10-2 of the ordinance shall be responsible for a municipal civil infraction punishable by a civil fine of not more than $500 and the cost of prosecution.

At Home

Christmas trees are being recycled

You can set your live Christmas tree on the curb for recycling (mulching) at your next scheduled trash pickup. Make sure the tree has no decorations, tinsel or wrapping.

Note: Trash collection days on Jan. 2 and 3 are unchanged since the New Year holiday falls on a Sunday.

Fire Dept. service helps adults install child safety seats

New parents may find child safety seats daunting to install and use. They can get assistance from the Northville Fire Department, which has several members trained as nationally certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPST). These members help parents (or babysitters and grandparents) by reviewing their use of the seat in their car, truck or SUV to ensure they are installing it correctly. They also instruct individuals about how to position the seat, check for damage and be aware of product recalls. Check out the website for what you need to know prior to the appointment. This one-on-one education typically takes 20-30 minutes, depending on your car seat and vehicle. To schedule an appointment at either the Northville or Plymouth fire station, call 248-449-9902.

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View these social media platforms to see stories, photos and videos of the City's people, places and events. We'll let you know about City services, such as trash pick-up, payment of taxes and utility bills, and roads under construction. Plus, we want to hear from you. Share your photos and comments; ask questions. If you "like" the Northville Facebook page, you'll see our posts in your news feed.

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If you have comments or requests for specific news items, please e-mail Liz Cezat, communications manager, at [email protected].