In regards to a donation of a barn for the McCord Property, the Independence Township Board gave a polite thanks but no thanks.
The offer, by a local businessman, was for a 30 by 40 foot steel barn to be placed on the property. The property is currently being used as the home for the township’s community garden which offers individuals convicted of nonviolent crimes the option of working instead of serving jail time. The harvests are donated to the Oakland County Food Bank.
The barn would have been used to store supplies needed for the program.
While the board believed a barn could be used on the site, a majority had in mind a smaller shed type structure which would be more compatible with the property. The township’s master plan has the property slated for passive recreational purposes.
“The McCord property is not the appropriate place for this style of building,” Independence Supervisor Dale Stuart said.
Trustee Dave Wagner, who was working with the potential donor on the project and brought it to the board, said the barn could also be used to house some township equipment that is not used year round.
“I think this building would be a real plus for this piece of property,” Wagner said. “I think it is a good idea.”
The board voted 4-3 to decline the donation with Stuart, Clerk Joan McCrary and Trustees Dan Travis and Dan Kelly all voting no.
The board voted 6-1 to authorize Wagner to speak with the potential donor to see if he would be willing to still donate the structure if it would be moved to another part of the township. McCrary voted against the measure.
“I think it is presumptuous of us to take the building and then move it somewhere else,” McCrary said. “I think the building on the McCord Property should be smaller and look more rustic.”
Kelly stated that in the future the board should discuss purchasing a small structure to aid the garden if the barn was indeed moved to somewhere else.
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In other action taken at the meeting by the board:
• Approved the publishing of the resolution to purchase bonds for the water supply system. The resolution allows Independence to finance up to $18 million for improvements to the water system.
• Awarded a contract to WH Canon, Inc. for the Waldon Road Revegetation Project. The company, which came in with a low bid of $78,255, will handle the installation of plant material along Waldon.
• Approved the purchase of a 2004 GMC HD2500 Pickup for the safety path program.