Divided Salem Township Board votes to eject local post office, dissolve fire board
Supervisor Robert Heyl, left, said public funds shouldn't subsidize Salem Township's only post office. Treasurer Paul Uherek is seen at right.
Ronald Ahrens | For AnnArbor.com.
On a pair of 4-3 votes Tuesday night, the Salem Township Board dissolved the Fire Authority Board and gave the township's contract post office 30 days to get out of its cramped nook in the historic house it shares with township offices.
After the post office vote, shouts of “Shame on you!” echoed through the crowd of about 85 people, the majority of whom stayed until the meeting ended at 2 a.m. this morning.
“If we just give 30 days’ notice to quit, we’re going to cause havoc in the community,” Township Clerk David Trent said, pleading against what he termed a “premature” motion.
The post office, which is the township’s only place to buy stamps or mail a package, is operated by former township Treasurer Linda Hamilton, wife of Fire Chief Mark Hamilton.
“There is one simple fact,” said Supervisor Robert Heyl when introducing the proposal before the vote. “Public funds shouldn’t be subsidizing a for-profit business.”
“What we saw tonight is, they took several things out of place, had no plan for it—just let everything fall to shambles,” said Jan Bartee, an assistant Wayne County prosecutor who has lived in Salem Township for 12 years. “To evict the post office in 30 days, that’s ridiculous. I mean, there’s no provision for it.”
Trustee Susan Bejin also disagreed with the decision. “I have yet to hear a real reason for what is happening here,” Bejin said.
But Treasurer Paul Uherek said there are “four trustees who do not have offices, but we have a for-profit business” on township property.
The post office moved to the Rider House, located across the parking lot from the township hall and fire station, in 1996. It had previously been squeezed into space provided by a church.
If a new location isn’t quickly found, Salem residents will have to drive to Northville, Plymouth or South Lyon for service.
Heyl, Uherek, Wayne Wallazy and Marcia Van Fossen voted for the motion to evict the post office. David Trent, Bejin and Brien Witkowski voted against it.
When the dust had settled on the post office matter, the board took up the issue of eliminating the Fire Administrative Board. The same four-vote majority passed the motion as had passed the post office resolution.
"A board within a board is interfering with the ability of the Fire Department to do its job," Uherek said before the vote.
The five-member, volunteer Fire Administrative Board (FAB) was established in 1992 to serve as the intermediary between the Fire Department and the Township Board.
The 25-member department was formed about 50 years ago.
Allan Scruggs, an FAB member, chastised township leaders for undertaking the panel’s dissolution. He said its workings had been going along well, with an emphasis on informality. But recently the five members have been “flooded” with e-mails from supervisor Heyl, requesting protocols.
Then, Scruggs said, the news broke last Thursday about the FAB’s proposed breakup.
“There is an agenda … to change the fire department,” he said. “I believe they have no idea what they’re doing.”
After Van Fossen made the motion to do away with the FAB, trustee Susan Bejin said, “I feel like this kind of motion is so ‘out there.’ I don’t feel that there’s a plan.” She asked what would happen when the Township Board ended up being directly responsible for fire department operations.
“I do not feel that we have an effective plan or procedures,” added Trent, calling for a joint meeting between the board and the FAB.
“If the FAB failed, you failed,” Jan Bartee later told the board.
Following the vote to wipe out the FAB, Township Board members found themselves grappling with what to do next and discussed whether to involve the Michigan Municipal League and the Michigan Townships Association.
“If we took somebody’s responsibility away, we’d better be ready to assume that responsibility,” said Wallazy.
The post office and Fire Department issues have been a source of controversy in the township for weeks. Former Township Supervisor Fred Roperti cited both issues when he sought to start a recall effort against Heyl last month. Roperti's petition was rejected in an April 1 hearing by the Washtenaw County Election Commission. He has accused Heyl of trying to get rid of Chief Hamilton. Heyl defeated Roperti to win the supervisor's post in the 2008 election.
Comments
gostate
Tue, Apr 20, 2010 : 2:19 p.m.
I would guess that Supervisor Heyl is going to rely on mutual aid from surrounding communities in the event of the dissolution of the Salem Fire Department. As a taxpayer in one of those surrounding communities, I'm opposed to this as it means I'm going to be supplementing Salem Township until they can get their fire department back in shape. Mutual aid is designed for the rare occurences when an incident is too much for the local fire department, it's not meant to supplement your emergency services on the backs of other communities. I don't know about anybody else, but if I need emergency services,I want my local fire and ems to remain in their own jurisdiction and not in some other township.
VoiceofReason
Thu, Apr 15, 2010 : 3:47 p.m.
Guess Salem is the official blogger for the "Gang of 4". The real shame is that the only minority member of FAB was fired by this board. The largest concentration of minorities live in the Hamlet and get their mail at the contract post office. These wonderful people may now have to drive to Northville to get their mail. We will all be impacted by these individuals decision to abolish FAB. The Chief has to answer to the very person who unfairly and untruthfully issued him a reprimand, only to withdraw it 2 days later. Is it true that Heyl is now contacting other communities to provide fire service? If he is, then what is the next attack on the firefighters?
Josh
Thu, Apr 15, 2010 : 2:49 p.m.
An additional thing I would like to add is the general disrespect to the FAB and fire department by the four members of the board who voted to dissolve the FAB. Of the meetings I've attended, which were very poorly run, I have seen nothing but what looks like a personal vendetta by mr. heyl and mr. uherek. It is no secret that mrs. vanfossen and mr. wallzy do not like the Hamilton family, but when they accuse the FAB of running the department poorly and saying the fire department is unprofessional, that is taking it too far. I have had the fire department called to my home before. The gentlemen that arrived were exactly what I would expect from any rural fire department. No, they were not wearing all blue uniforms and they didn't look very professional, but their actions were what was the impressive part. As for Chief Hamilton, any person that states that he is an embarrassment, unprofessional, rude or arrogant, they obviously do not know him. In cases of emergencies, I would rather him be on the scene than anyone I can think of. I have known this man since I was a child, and I have seen him in some difficult situations many times. I would feel qualified to say that he is beyond what anyone who would call him the names above deserve. But, here is one of his best qualities, he would show up to your house knowing how you feel about him, and still do the best job he knows how to do. If that is not professionalism, kindness, or integrity, please, enlighten me.
tim wilson
Thu, Apr 15, 2010 : 2:39 p.m.
That's right Paul stated they needed an office so Wayne and Marcia pushed hard to toss the post office out. Must be so they can figure hoe else how to tear Salem down. Never seen people so bent on ruining the only services that they offered to the township. Wait till they spend all of our money on legal fees. To bad we can't do the same to them vote them out. 2012 can not come fast enough.
Josh
Thu, Apr 15, 2010 : 2:26 p.m.
I read this article and I am very cautious how I should respond. I have grown up in Salem, and now I own a house of my own in this community. I wanted a house in Salem township to be close to my family and because of the quality reputation the township has had in the past. I also appreciated the friendliness of the people and especially the ones in office. I believe we are now heading down a dark road. The changes made at the board meeting on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning are troubling to say the least. I have a hard time understanding their excuse that the Post Office does not belong in the Ryder House. The excuses of offices and such are rather silly. I was unaware that the trustees needed an office, has it been that way in the past? Also, why would you get rid of the service provided at such a whim? What are the people that rely on that service to do, mr. hyle? At least for me, I don't usually start a project, such as tear down a wall in my house, unless I have a plan for clean up and usage of the space for something new.
ActiveParticipant
Thu, Apr 15, 2010 : 11:35 a.m.
During Aprils Salem Board Meeting the Township Board showed it true colors. They started with the eviction of the Contract Post Office. Comments were made that the township subsidized the Post Office. It pays more rent then is allocated for other offices in the building. Do you think making people have to travel 14 miles every day to get mail will be fun? What about the elderly who walk? What about the young mothers who walk to the post office with their children in a wagon? If getting rid of postal service wasn't bad enough, the board dissolved the Fire Administrative Board (FAB). FAB was put in place to create a buffer between the township board and the firefighters. Now the firefighters who protect our lives and our property will be forced to interact with a political body. One that has demonstrated that it DOES NOT care about the people. We trusted the board to act for us not against us. They have destroyed the trust. This is only a beginning of their grand plan to destroy all that has made Salem a great place to live.
gotigers2007
Thu, Apr 15, 2010 : 10:47 a.m.
This doesn't make any sense - shutting down the post office in 30 days? What are the people going to do with their address? How are they supposed to notify the people and companies that send them mail in LESS than thirty days if THERE IS NO NEW ADDRESS TO SEND IT TO? What about those that receive crucial diabetic and/or heart medication via US Mail? What about those that don't have a drivers license or a car? Great job for looking out for the folks that rely on the post office. I don't understand this "for profit" BS; I thought that the US Post Office was loosing billions...
mkm17
Thu, Apr 15, 2010 : 9:12 a.m.
Salem Township has suffered from cronyism for at least the 20 years I have lived in the community. I have always tried to figure out why this is, and have never been able to. I hope the fire chief will at last get the oversight he needs. I agree that to dismantle the post office without a plan is not sensible.
Salem_Resident
Wed, Apr 14, 2010 : 8:53 p.m.
I just finished reading the March / April 2010 Salem Township Messenger (newsletter for residents). Residents should be sure to take the time to read the excellent column by Supervisor Heyl. It explains the background of a lot of topics that we have been hearing about from the disgruntled former Supervisor Roperti & his cronies. I find the facts to be very interesting but not surprising based on the history of some former Township Board members. And I have to say that I have never seen such a comprehensive explanation on our Township Treasury investments & report. Its great to know where we stand especially in this time of economic hardship for many municipalities. I have confidence that our financial security is in very good hands. Additionally, the Township Clerk's Commentary was informative and thorough along with articles by Trustees Wallazy, Bejin & Van Fossen. What a welcome difference from the travel logs and garden reports from years past.
Salem_Resident
Wed, Apr 14, 2010 : 4:58 p.m.
Thank you Salem Township Board; well at least those who voted to move Salem Township into the 21st century!!! Its been long overdue to take back control of the poorly run and badly managed Salem Fire Dept. THE FIRE CHIEF IS AN EMBARASSMENT - with his unprofessional, rude & arrogant demeanor. Fire dept. vehicles and equipment are abused, neglected, not maintained and give a poor representation of our community. And I whole heartedly agree that Linda Hamilton's Post Office should not be getting what basically amounts to as a free ride on the back of the Township. If I remember correctly, Ms. Hamilton got a sweetheart deal handed to her by Fred Roperti. Can you say 'scratch my back & I'll scratch yours?' THANK YOU - - THANK YOU - - THANK YOU - - THANK YOU - - THANK YOU!!!!
friend12
Wed, Apr 14, 2010 : 10:26 a.m.
FAB gone means the supervisor has direct authority over the fire chief who is the administrator for the fire department. No brainer in that one. No FBA means the chief will have to take direct responsibility for the departments operation which might be the real intent of this. The post office issue is just childish. In my opinion they should have left it alone. I do find it interesting that the Hamiltons are involved in both issues. I think there is more to come. Maybe a family dynasty is coming to an end?
DennisP
Wed, Apr 14, 2010 : 10:05 a.m.
"But Treasurer Paul Uherek said there are four trustees who do not have offices, but we have a for-profit business on township property." Probably because the mail service is far more important and usefull to the citizens than the four township trustees... They'll replace a "for profit" operation with one that's guaranteed to lose money...it's called local government.
BenWoodruff
Wed, Apr 14, 2010 : 9:46 a.m.
I hope those Trustees are ready to put on Turnout gear and grab a hose...