By Meg Peters
Review Co-Editor
A new survey says 95 percent of residents are satisfied with Orion Township as their home.
In a community-wide survey posted on the township website for over a month, more than 1,200 residents voiced their opinions on the township’s operations.
The survey proposed basic questions, controversial questions, and questions regarding the future of Orion Township, and although only a small portion of the township answered, responses were quite varied.
Let’s take a look
For the majority of people surveyed, the Lake Orion Community School District was the primary reason in choosing Orion Township as their home, with 61.5 percent of people rating it as extremely important.
Another prompt asking a similar question, ‘which of the following reasons did you choose to live in Orion Twp? Please check all that apply?, 19.75 percent said they grew up in the area, 21.7 percent said because of the available housing, 67.7 percent said because of the school system, 39 percent said because of the geographic location, 52.3 percent said because of the parks, lakes and open spaces, 35.6 percent said it was the proximity to their employment, 24.8 percent said because of property values, and 55.2 percent said they chose Orion because it is a safe, reputable community.
Another question asked if residents would be in support of or opposed to a single, township-wide waste collection service, listing the benefits and the drawbacks.
About 63.2 percent of responders were in support of a single hauler service, and 36.8 percent were opposed. Listed benefits include lower garbage collection and fixed rates, less noise disruption, and less wear and tear on the roads. Drawbacks included lack of choice in garbage service, and lack of choice in what day garbage was collected.
The majority of residents’about 48 percent’rated Orion’s roads in fair condition, and 30.8 percent rated them poor. Some people felt otherwise, with 20.4 percent rating roads in good condition, and 0.65 percent rating them excellent.
Along the same line of thought, the survey questioned if residents would be willing to support a dedicated millage for road improvements. About 22.4 percent said yes, 20.8 percent no, and 59.9 percent said possibly, with additional information.
Another question pertaining to future millage increases also bore positive thoughts from residents. The Orion Township Fire Department is considering either non-transporting Basic Life Support Agency training or Advanced Life Support Transporting training.
The basic version would train existing staff to perform as paramedics until a private ambulance service arrived and took over. The advanced version would train firefighter/paramedics to be on call 24/7 to transport victims to the nearest hospital, requiring the purchase and maintenance of four ambulances.
About 59 percent of residents preferred advanced life support transporting, and 41.1 percent preferred the basic.
Regarding the police force, about 97 percent of residents feel safe in Orion. Property crimes are believed to be the biggest crime as nearly 68 percent of respondents? said. The majority of respondents, 65.8 percent, believe there are a sufficient amount of police cars.
Most people surveyed are satisfied with the quality of recreational opportunities in the community, with 87.7 people satisfied, and 12.3 percent people not. The majority of people concur that recreation and parks should be funded by the township’s general fund (36.9 percent) or user fees (36.4 percent), and not a dedicated millage.
If those who answered the survey had their choices, 28.5 percent of them would have the township build an outdoor adventure area, 23.9 percent would prefer an ice rink, and 16.9 percent would prefer more trailheads, over the minority interests including more basketball courts, tennis courts or a skate park.
Lucky for the majority, construction of ArborTrek adventure park at Camp Agawam is scheduled for this winter, and an ice rink is also slated to take over the basketball courts at Orion Township Hall.
Also concerning recreation, about 45 percent or responders use community parks on a weekly basis. Friendship Park was voted as the most popular with the overruling reason for exercise/recreation.
Short answer
Survey takers also had the opportunity to include written responses about the township, and many of those pertained to the ongoing developments.
‘We located to Orion Township because we liked the lack of congestion and plenty of natural green areas. The amount of development in the township is ridiculous. We live off of Baldwin Rd. and they are building something on ever little piece of land.?
Other responders agreed.
‘Would like to see more time spent on the permit and inspections done by the building department.? Large builders in the area get passing inspections for work not up to code.? Inspections should be thorough, not be five minute sign-offs.?
Infrastructure was also a big topic.
Survey-takers indicated many roads that need repair, including Waldon, Heights, Casmere, Scripps Rd., Conklin, and many more.
Also safety path continuation was a big topic and’respondents indicated several missing gaps throughout the township.
‘Pedestrian walkways at key points over M-24 would be huge. Proper wide pathways of M-24 would also be huge.?
‘Please consider adding trails or sidewalks that connect Baldwin Road to down town Lake Orion and have a side walk that goes the entire distance between Lake Orion and Oxford.?
‘More bike paths in the Gingellville area please.?
Many people preferred preservation of recreational lands and green space, however, while many people favored less ‘big box development,? still others showed their interest.
‘Orion Township is a great place to live, I just don’t like that each time I want shop I have to go to Auburn Hills, Rochester Hills and beyond.?
‘More development. It seems that all the service/retail/restaurant business is over by Baldwin/the mall.? Silverbell and Lapeer have been a wasteland since I can remember. I’m all in favor of local owned mom and pop….but sometimes you just want safe-choice-chain that? isn’t fast food.?
Comments also turned to board transparency.
‘I keep abreast of your township meetings by viewing ONTV Meetings On Demand. Great concept. I demand more transparency of my local government. Particularly the treasurer’s reports. My taxpayer money.? What’s going on there??
‘What’s going on with Mr. (Mark) Thurber not getting along with the board??? I want more transparency of my hard earned tax money.? I can’t make ‘heads or tails? from his reports.?
And while many other comments and ideas flooded the short answer section, many residents praised the township’s work.
‘Keep up the good work. Orion Township has thrived and the community has benefited from strong leadership.?
‘You guys are doing a great job of running the township.? Keep up the great work.? Please stay professional in all your dealings.? It’s been your greatest strength as a board.?