COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
MAY/JUNE 2008
Volume 41

Council meetings are held the second Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Village Hall
website address:   www.iserv.net/~vod/
e-mail address:  vod@iserv.net


Red Cross Emergency Shelter Established in the Village-
Partnering to Provide ServicesCommunity leaders met last August, after several power outages and weather-related incidents, to evaluate local procedures in the event Dimondale, or the surrounding area, should experience a disaster.  The result has been a unified effort by the Village of Dimondale, the Dimondale  Presbyterian Church, Windsor Township Emergency Services and Eaton County Emergency Services to form an agreement with the American Red Cross.  The governing body of the First Presbyterian Church of Dimondale has voted to allow their Great Room to be designated a Red Cross Emergency Shelter.  The Village, and the Township and County Emergency Services will provide equipment, services and volunteer support in the event the church facility is needed and available.
    
This effort heralds a reinvigorated emphasis for the Dimondale area.  
In this financially challenging time, various groups and organizations are combining resources and ideas to create a more sustainable and supportive community.  Other projects, in varying stages of development, include an expanded and ecumenical Community Food Bank and plans for increased recreational and public gathering places.  The local Lions Club has regularly sponsored blood drives at the Presbyterian Church and is a model of how local organizations are providing needed support and services to the region.
    
To highlight the shelter’s importance to our community and this cooperative effort, the Shelter Task Force has plans to implement periodic Red Cross training events such as CPR, Babysitter Training and disaster preparedness classes.  Information about these upcoming events will be available through the Village and Church newsletters, the media and local businesses.  


Council Approves Limited Burning on the Island
At the April 14, 2008 Village Council meeting, the Trustees voted to allow the DPW and local volunteers to burn accumulated brush on the island on a limited basis this spring/summer.  Not only is there a practical difficulty in getting equipment over to the island for chipping but the material is also in such poor condition that the task would be very labor intensive.  The actual burn time(s) will be kept to a minimum in an attempt to mitigate the negative impact upon Village residents.  While the Council realizes that this action may not be welcomed by the community, it will be the most cost effective and time efficient method for cleaning up this open space.


2008 Elections - Call for Candidates
Village residents will elect a President and three Trustees in November 2008.  A qualifying candidate must be a registered voter in the Village.  Other helpful characteristics include the ability to interact and make decisions in a group setting and a willingness to serve the public.  The average time commitment is six to seven hours per month, generally two or three evenings.  Trustees are compensated bi-annually at a rate of $50 per Council meeting and $35 per committee meeting attended.  The President earns $100 per Council meeting and $70 per committee meeting.  Petitions for these offices are available at the Windsor Township office, 405 E. Jefferson St., and the deadline to file is August 12, 2008.  More information regarding the election process is available from Linda Towsley, Windsor Township Clerk, at 646-0772 on M-W-F between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.  Questions related to the positions should be directed to the Village office at 646-0230 M-F 9:00 a.m. to 5:00p.m.   


Financial Resources for Home Improvements
Changing economic conditions have created an environment where extra resources may be necessary for average homeowners to maintain and improve their homes.  Because we know that reinvestment in local properties is important for maintaining a desirable community, research has been done to locate programs that our residents may find helpful.  We encourage those seeking financial assistance with home improvement projects to look into the following programs.

Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) offers the Property Improvement Program (PIP) as an owner-occupied loan at a low interest rate for single family homeowners with low to moderate income.  This program targets a large portion of the community including first time home buyers, senior citizens, disabled individuals and working middle class families.  Almost any type of permanent general improvement can be made.  Please call 517-373-1974 for more information or visit the website at  www.michigan.gov/mshdsa.

Eaton County has a Homeowner Rehabilitation Program that offers up to $25,000 in assistance for repairs and improvements through a deferred mortgage recorded against the property for the amount invested in the home.  An Emergency Rehabilitation Program is also available for up to $7,500 for unexpected repairs that pose a health and safety risk to the occupants and the structure of a home.  More information is available by contacting Jonathan Greene with the Eaton County Housing Department at 517-543-3740 or by visiting the website at  www.eatoncounty.org.


Save the Dates for These Coming Community Events

Memorial Day Parade
The Lions Club will hold the annual Memorial Day Parade on May 26th at 11:00 a.m.  Participants will start from Carl’s parking lot and travel through the Village down Bridge and Jefferson Streets to their final destination at the Windsor Township Cemetery.  We hope to see you at this traditional commemoration.

Farmers’ Market
The Dimondale Farmers’ Market will make it’s downtown debut on Thursday, June 5th in the municipal parking lot at 136 N. Bridge Street.  Vendors will have food products for sale from 3:00-7:00 p.m. every Thursday through October 30th.  Please come out and support this grass-roots effort to bring fresh, locally grown food to Dimondale!

A Day in the Park
Come one, come all June 29th to a “Day in the Park” sponsored by the Village Recreation Task Force and funded by donations from local businesses and civic groups.  The day’s activities will include a canoe race, a combined church service (10:00 a.m.), a free picnic lunch and an afternoon of family-oriented games and entertainment.  Join us at the Lions Community Park for what promises to be a great time for kids of all ages!

Service Reminder
To maintain compliance with permits from the State of Michigan, the Village has a street sweeper in on the third Thursday of every month between March and September.  Residents are encouraged to keep vehicles off the street Wednesday nights and Thursday mornings for efficient use of this service.  We apologize for any inconvenience related to the early hours and dust creation.