An area lacking tornado siren coverage will soon get its fair share during those loud tests on the first Saturday of the month between March and November.
Last week, the township board voted 7-0 to engage in a four-way split with Addison, Orion and Oakland townships to erect a tornado siren at the intersection of Barr and Indian Lake roads, which is the crossroads of the four townships.
‘This siren would provide needed coverage to the far southeast portion of Oxford Township, an area that does not presently receive adequate coverage from our existing sirens,? wrote Fire Chief Jack LeRoy in a memo to officials. ‘The closest Oxford siren to this area is presently on Lakeville Road, west of Lakeville Elementary School near Oxford Lake.?
A new siren costs approximately $22,000.
Oakland County Emergency Management will pay 25 percent, leaving the remaining 75 percent to be shared equally (approximately $4,125 each) between the four townships.
Addison, Orion and Oakland townships have already agreed to chip in. It’s expected the siren will be installed some time this summer.
LeRoy said the southeast area used to receive good coverage until a couple years ago when the new tornado sirens were being installed and one was relocated from Drahner Rd. to Lakeville Rd.
As a result, ‘that area does not receive the coverage it once did,? according to the chief.
Supervisor Bill Dunn asked if there are any other areas lacking in coverage.
‘The area right here in the central portion of the village is lacking,? said LeRoy, noting he’s communicated this in numerous correspondences with various village managers over the years.
LeRoy said the best place for another siren would probably be up on the hill by the cemetery on W. Burdick St.
Its height would cover the village and a portion of Waterstone, he said.