The Addison Township Board of Trustees unanimously voted Aug. 20 to contribute $3,000 towards maintenance for their portion of the Polly Ann Trail, but wanted the community to know it doesn’t mean they’re rejoining the council.
Supervisor Bob Koski said the board allocated the money during their budget session early this year.
But Trustee Christine Sypitkowski questioned why the township had to pay the Polly Ann Trailway Management Council (PATMC) to maintain the five-mile portion and not just do it themselves.
Because the PATMC leases the trail land from the state for $1 a year, it is considered state-owned and cannot be touched by anyone but the lessee.
The contribution will be given to the PATMC to use as they wish for maintenance.
‘Now that we know we’re not allowed to do (maintenance), I think it would be advantageous for us to give this money to the PATMC for maintenance even though we’re still not going to be a member,? Clerk Pauline Bennett said.
Addison Twp. voted to leave the trail council in August 2005 due to budget constraints.
But some residents, like Bob Godkin, are hoping the township will change their mind and rejoin the trail. He currently has about 40 residents who have signed a petition.
‘I feel it’s their responsibility to have a say in how that trail is maintained or any additions that’s going to be made to it,? he told this reporter. ‘They don’t have a say if they don’t have anybody on the Polly Ann Trail ways Management Council.?
Godkin said he didn’t understand how the township could give someone money and not be able to have a say how it’s used.
If you’d like to sign Godkin’s petition, feel free to call him at (248) 628-1828 or stop by his home at 2990 Lakeville Rd.