Authorize the purchase and installation of street lights per DTE recommendations in the Washtenaw Heights neighborhood, for an estimated cost not to exceed $160,000 including contingency.

The Washtenaw Heights neighborhood area, located between Washtenaw/Packard (north and south) and between Carpenter/Golfside (west and east), is the oldest residential neighborhood in Pittsfield Township. A decade ago, it was the ‘forgotten’ neighborhood because previous administrations had focused on the parts of the Township that were growing and changing while ignoring northeast Pittsfield, which supports the only Low and Moderate Income (LMI) Persons area, as defined by U.S. Census, in our community.

Beginning in 2009, our administration went to work for a part of our community long ignored and forgotten by:

1. Acquiring our first major grant of over $3 million in 2009 to implement the Washtenaw Heights water main replacement project that replaced aging pipe and related infrastructure thereby improving the water quality in northeast Pittsfield
2. Replaced the crumbling sidewalk along Packard, the first one installed by the Washtenaw County Road Commission in the 1960s/70s
3. Used CDBG funding to provide much-needed upgrades to Montibeller Park, including improving tennis courts and other recreational amenities that have been heavily used over the past decade
4. Used CDBG funding to complete sidewalks along Washtenaw and provide gap-filling along Carpenter, Golfside, and Packard
5. Established the Residential Neighborhood Traffic Calming program that allocates $100,000 from General Fund each year; majority of installations have occurred in the Washtenaw Heights neighborhood because of severe cut-through traffic issues therein
6. Invested General Fund monies to install street lights along Carpenter in two phases: Washtenaw to Packard and then Packard to Ellsworth
7. Worked closely with many stakeholders and partners for the economic revitalization of the Carpenter Road corridor as evidenced through the scheduled demolition of the gas station at Packard/Carpenter and the many new businesses along the corridor and new home construction on the south side of the corridor
8. Worked with stakeholders to install the mid-block crossing on Washtenaw at County Service Center, which used General Fund monies to upgrade mastarm and other pedestrian amenities 
9. Have been working with AAATA to ensure efficient public transit services, which includes safe bus stops, along Washtenaw, Packard, and Carpenter
10. Installed and improved mid-block crossings along Carpenter Road; Used CDBG funds to install a mid-block crossing at Packard/Hawks with General Fund monies to upgrade mastarm

The Washtenaw Heights neighborhood is the most diverse in our community and it continues to be a top priority of our administration to support its vibrancy and revitalization. Note that the neighborhood was developed around the 1950s when the Township did not have a requirement to install street lights as compared to the overwhelming number of residential neighborhoods in Pittsfield (if not all) that have had street light installations at the cost of the developer. Absent the option of a private investment, we feel it incumbent upon us to support the residents of Washtenaw Heights that have petitioned for installation of some street lights in their neighborhood (refer to attached map) by making an investment, similar to others we have over the past decade, for a public good.

If you are unaware, it is also important to note that a few months ago there was a tragic pedestrian accident at Packard resulting in the loss of life of two long-term and beloved members of the Washtenaw Heights neighborhood. This incident has reignited the discussion the Supervisor spearheaded a few years ago for installation of street lights within the neighborhood. Unlike the previous iteration (2015-2017), this time the issue is being spearheaded by neighborhood residents. Their request is in partnership with and fully supported by the Supervisor.

If approved, the street light installation would be at an estimated cost not to exceed $160,000 including contingency and would be funded through contingency fund #990¬988. Approval of this expenditure would also initiate the process of establishing a Special Assessment District to assess the estimated $11,897/year ongoing maintenance and energy costs, equally distributed between all property owners of the Washtenaw Heights neighborhood area (as defined above).

The DTE proposal includes a quantity of 36, 30’ direct buried fiberglass posts and 36, 136w LED stock fixtures to be installed along Washtenaw, Central Boulevard, and Packard Street based on the map provided (see attached.)

No impact

Funded through contingency fund #990-988

Estimated $11,897 in annual maintenance and energy costs to be covered through the establishment of a neighborhood Special Assessment District.

No impact

Conforms