Dexter Township Sets Special Meeting to Discuss Proposed Fire Station

Alternative locations for a proposed permanent fire station in Dexter Township will be discussed at a special meeting of the Board of Trustees at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 28.

Officials are looking for land to purchase in order to build the station to replace the township's temporary substation at the MultiLakes Sewer Authority.

The township had planned to purchase 5 acres of property and build the station at 11485 N. Territorial Road, however the property was sold to the Inverness Inn in Chelsea after the township failed to complete a purchase agreement in December.

Township Supervisor Pat Kelly said said the board is considering several options, including the possibility of condemning and taking the property through eminent domain.

"Personally I believe we have a good shot of making that happen," Kelly said.

Kelly said she is not in favor of initiating condemnation proceedings, however.

She said the property is an ideal location for a fire station due to its central location in the township.

"Unfortunately the further we move from our desired location, the more residents will be affected," Kelly said at the township's board of trustees meeting on Tuesday. "That property was geographically the best location. No matter where we move the station, there will be winners and losers."

Township Clerk Harley Rider proposed hiring an outside contractor to scout potential land for sale in the township.

"It would be worthwhile for (the township board) to consider entertaining requests for proposals by brokers to conduct a property search on behalf of the township," he said.

Kelly agreed, however she cautioned spending taxpayer dollars on extensive site work.

"We can go find every available piece of property in the township, and maybe we should," she said. "There will also be costs associated with developing the property. One reason the location at North Territorial and Dexter Townhall roads was so ideal was because it required little clean-up as opposed to some other areas."

Other options include purchasing land from the MultiLakes Sewer Authority, Lyndon Township, or a neighboring township.