The Romeo Observer - Romeo, Michigan: Northern Macomb County's weekly newspaper since 1866

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Posted: 12/21/11

LET IT FLOW. At right, local business owners and officials from Armada and Bruce townships celebrate that city water from Detroit Water and Sewerage is now flowing to the industrial zones of both townships. The project was a three-year effort that cost around $908,000, with a majority of it paid for by parcel owners in the area. From Left, Bruce Township Treasurer Deborah Obrecht, Bruce Township Trustee Mark Falker, Dist. 7 County Commissioner Don Brown, Justin Racz, Bruce Township Supervisor Jim Tignanelli, Darryl Racz, Bruce Township Clerk Susan Brockmann, Bruce-Romeo Fire Chief Floyd Shotwell, Annette DeClark of DeClark's Landscaping, Armada Township Supervisor John Paterek and Armada Township Fire Chief Steve Jerzewski.

(Observer photo by Chris Gray)

Bruce, Armada turns on
industrial city water

by CHRIS GRAY
Observer Staff Writer

      After three years of planning and construction, city water has officially begun to flow in Armada and Bruce townships.
       Water from Detroit Water and Sewerage was turned on as of Dec. 13, which officials say will help in creating jobs and expanding businesses.
       The water is provided by Detroit Water and Sewerage through a 30-year contract. A special assessment district (SAD) was established that would install a water main on 33 Mile Road between Powell and McKay roads.
       Parcel owners in the SAD paid around $643,000, with Armada Township paying $265,000 for an estimated total of $908,000.
       Bruce Township Clerk Susan Brockmann said the township authorized the last payment the week of Dec. 8, adding that the city water is the finishing touch to the industrial zone.
       "Hopefully business owners will be prosperous out there," she said. "We now have the city water, a sewer line was put out there and an unrestricted road."
       The project will aid in the township dealing with a $6 million debt that resulted in a lack of sewer tap sales and expanding Romeo's wastewater treatment plant.
       In addition to that, Supervisor Jim Tignanelli said the water allows for bigger buildings on the road, easier fire suppression and eliminates the need for businesses to treat their water supplies for manufacturing purposes.
       "We've had contacts with some people for this road where city water is an integral part of the formula for them to operate," he said.
       Armada Township benefits from the water as well, having joined the project through an inter-governmental agreement in order to bring city water to its own industrial businesses.
       The project was originally estimated at $780,000, but was increased when Armada Township joined.
       Armada Township Supervisor John Paterek said the partnership began when builders had problems with some properties and its sewers in the area, so they invited Paterek along when they went to Bruce Township to talk about the water project.
       "It's something we simply couldn't afford at that point, and this partnership has made it feasible," he said.
       The township was able to install a pipe that will transfer water to Armada's industrial area, defined by Powell Road to the west, 33 Mile Road to the north, Romeo Plank to the east and 32 Mile Road to the south.
       Paterek said the the water could even create more opportunities for Armada businesses to expand and potentially add new jobs.
       "The key to this whole thing is in partnering with Bruce Township it's allowed us an opportunity to expand for the next 20 years with utilities, which we didn't have before," he said. "It's an investment into tomorrow."
       Given that both townships have ordinances and residents that prefer a rural atmosphere, the concern of creating more density was apparent in both communities. However, Tignanelli said by having the city water as a SAD, it limits how far it can expand.
       "It has a single purpose and anything beyond that requires more board action and more thought," said Tignanelli. "We protected what they desired to have protected while providing something to people that were demanding that be provided."
       Bruce Township officials are also working on extending McKay Road to 32 Mile Road. Brockmann said the township is working closely with the Macomb County Executive's Office to make the expansion a reality.