Agendas and minutes are available by clicking here

Northville Youth Network - Tuesday, Oct. 11, 8 a.m. - Community Center, 303 W. Main

Housing Commission - Wednesday, Oct. 12, 6 p.m. - Allen Terrace

Anyone needing assistance should contact the City Manager's office at 248-449-9905. More information about online meetings and a user guide are available here.

City Council recap of Oct. 3 meeting

City Council voted to approve an expanded social district and also provide letters of support to six restaurants/bars that require a special liquor license to sell alcoholic beverages that can be consumed in the social district. 

If approved by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, the expanded social district would extend west along Main Street to the Garage Grill and Fuel Bar, south of Main on the east side of Wing Street to Cady, east on Cady to Center, and north from Cady to Main – essentially enclosing the block that contains Northville Square and MainCentre. 

Council revised the map presented by DDA Director Lori Ward, which initially showed the social district extending along Wing St. past the Garage restaurant/bar to Dunlap, and including the northwest corner of Dunlap and Center, home to the American Legion Hall, a tax-exempt organization. Council struck those sections of the proposed expansion, heeding concerns of Northville residents who spoke against having the social district right next to neighborhoods.

Restaurants/bars eligible to apply for an additional liquor license as part of an expanded social district include the Garage, Lava Grille of Northville, Northville Sports Den, Tirami Su, Great White Buffalo Brewing Co. and Fraternal Order of Eagles. 

The motion allows drinks in cups featuring “The Twist” logo, purchased from participating businesses, to be consumed on the sidewalks along those newly added streets as well as in the original social district. No additional street closures were included in the motion. 

Many citizens commented about the expansion of the social district, with many objecting to having it so close to neighborhoods on Wing and N. Center.

Public comment  (non-agenda item)

Lenore Lewandowski, 119 Randolph, asked that comments she made at the Sept. 19 City Council meeting be changed for accuracy – stating that first-time homebuyers and single-income households can’t afford $525,000 homes.

Nancy Chirri, 661 W. Main, said some of her comments made at the Sept. 19 City Council meeting were not stated correctly and sent a copy of what she said to City Hall to be distributed to council.

Item 9B was added to the agenda – The Sept. 19 minutes were pulled from the consent agenda to make corrections to Lewandowski’s comment (see public comment above) and Chirri’s comments at their request. Chirri’s revision stated that height variances are typically resolved at the preliminary site plan review and are at the core of the design process. Council accepted the minutes as amended.

Council communications 

Council members mentioned upcoming meetings (BZA, Housing Commission, River Restoration Task Force) and two events: Skeletons are Alive and Main Street League Witches Ride. Mayor Turnbull thanked volunteers who helped cut down invasive species at the two-acre park near the water wheel. Council Member Andrew Krenz thanked the Amerman playground group, which raised money during their fall sale.  

View the video here.

File photo by Liz Cezat. Diners eat at expanded outdoor settings in the social district on Main Street.

Watch mailboxes for absentee ballot

Absentee ballots for the Nov. 8 General Election were mailed Sept. 30. More than 1,600 absentee ballot were mailed to voters that previously applied for their Nov. 8 ballot. Voters should watch the mail for the blue-and-white envelope containing their ballot. To apply for an absentee ballot and have it mailed to you, apply here. 

Voters may also apply for and pick up their absentee ballots in person at the Clerk’s office, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The photo ID requirement is in effect if you are applying in person. All voters may vote by absentee ballot without providing a reason. 

Photo by Element5 Digital from Pexels.

New tenants at 341 E. Main St. get to know the community and vice versa

Open House Oct. 11 – open to the public

What better fit for the renovated first floor and lower level offices at Guidobono headquarters than integrative mental health care services offered by Reset Brain and Body, which recently expanded from their Plymouth location to this new second location at 341 E. Main in Northville. The custom builder occupies the second floor. 

This historic building, a contributing structure to the Historic District, is significant for its

role in the Northville’s community development, healthcare and the social/recreation/

entertainment of the city’s residents. Erected around 1865, it originally was a respite home for returning Civil War Veterans. In the late 1890s the building operated as Angie Smith’s boarding house, which offered a place of residence for patients of Dr. Yarnall’s Gold Cure Clinic. The clinic, located across the street, was in operation for 21 years. (condensed from the Historic District Survey)

Fast forward to 2022, when Nick Biskelonis and wife Kerry, co-owners of Reset Brain and Body, chose to expand by moving north – closer to their growing client base that reside in Northville, Novi and other nearby communities.

The business has a clinical team of 17 and a support team of eight. These professionals are  certified in their fields of social work, clinical therapy and psychology, with advanced degrees. Their unique approach integrates mindfulness and movement – think yoga, or tossing a ball at nearby Ford Field – along with talk therapy. Most have a special area of interest that provides more targeted services to individuals grappling with a particular issue, such as quelling Type A overdrive tendencies or learning skills to fix a flagging relationship, or building resiliency to make a life transition.  

“It (doing something physical) helps break down barriers to one-on-one counseling,” said business manager Nick. “A lot of individuals are new to counseling and we meet them where they are most comfortable.”

They began the business in 2018, with Founder and Managing Director Kerry, LPC, operating out of a single suite in a professional building. The business grew with more clients and more therapists and they moved to larger quarters in Plymouth. They closed on the building at 260 S. Union in March 2020, just a few weeks before COVID-19 mandates forced most businesses to close. 

“It was definitely a scary time,” Nick said. “We had our second child the second week of April too.” Yet, it all worked out. 

“It was Kerry’s vision,” Nick noted. “She knew these were resources that our community needed.” At first, the clients were Plymouth residents. As the business became more established, they attracted more clients from Northville and beyond. When they saw an office for lease at the Guidobono headquarters, they knew it was the right fit. They worked with the builder to transform the first floor and lower level into a counseling center and group space. 

The services focus on holistic treatment. View the website here. Successful outcomes are reflected in the personal growth that clients experience. Clients typically start with six clinical weekly sessions to get to the root cause. From there, they see if the necessary progress has been made, via an evaluation form and by discussing their progress with the therapist. Because the business accepts insurance (BCBS PPO), it must monitor every session for clinical outcomes. 

Services are offered to teens, age 13, to adults. The business is holding an open house on Tuesday, Oct. 11, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., with a ribbon-cutting at 9:30 a.m. All are welcome to attend. The event coincides with World Mental Health Day on Monday, Oct. 10. That day, Reset Founder and Managing Director, Kerry Biskelonis, LPC, will host a special segment live on Instagram at 8 p.m. featuring an experiential visualization meditation and an important message to promote elevated mental well-being. 

Their newsletter notes, “Kerry will provide the most significant research-supported understanding to overcome mental and emotional health issues that has the power to transform our global communities.”

In the few months since Reset Brain and Body has been in Northville, Nick said, “We’ve been well received. Organically, we’ve developed a lot of partnerships.” 

Reset Brain and Body participated in the suicide prevention 5K run/walk on Sept. 18, held by Northville High School’s Color my World group. They were also presenters at the recent daylong mental health program at Northville High School. And the owners met the new superintendent, RJ Webber, at a local restaurant. Being able to make relevant and supportive connections is one of the hallmarks of a strong business community found in Northville                                    

Photos by Reset Brain and Body. Below: Co-owners Nick is on front step, Kerry is behind him in grey and black top. All others work at the center as counselors and therapists.

Fire Prevention Week offers Great Escape Plans and Open Houses

Nationwide, fire service celebrates Fire Prevention Week Oct. 9 - 15. Northville City Fire Dept. (NCFD) firefighters will be available to the public to teach fire safety, answer questions, and show visitors the different vehicles and equipment that firefighters use. An open house will be held at Station 1 on 215 Main St. in Northville and Station 2 at 201 S. Main St. in Plymouth on Thursday, Oct. 13  from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.               

On Oct. 15, the NCFD will hold its annual Great Escape program, created by the National Fire Protection Agency to educate children and their families about developing a home escape plan in case of a fire. 

“We are reaching out to children and their families during Fire Prevention Week to put the Great Escape program plans into action,” said Fire Chief Matt Samhat. “When used correctly, it helps save lives.”

In cooperation with local schools, parents of elementary school children will receive a grid and instructions that show how their child can develop and draw their own home escape plan. On Oct. 15, families are encouraged to practice their fire escape plan. After that exercise is complete, the student and family members are invited to come to the fire station to review their plan with a firefighter and enter in a drawing for a chance to win a “Special day with Firefighters.” That evening, there will also be fun activities, including spraying a fire hose, doing an obstacle course and sitting inside a fire truck. 

Please encourage your child to participate in this important event. If you have any questions, contact the fire department at 248-449-9919 or via email to either Fire Chief Matt Samhat or Public Education Coordinator Aaron O’Donnell.

Photo: Mayor Brian Turnbull at Fire Station 1 in Northville with granddaughters Eliza Lyn (left) and Evie. Photo by Liz Cezat.

Volunteers needed to fill roles on DDA, BZA, Housing Commission

The city of Northville is accepting applications for qualified volunteers interested in serving on the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Board of Directors, the Board of Zoning Appeals and the Housing Commission. Applicants for the BZA post must be registered to vote in the city of Northville; those applying for the DDA board must be either a resident of the city of Northville, or have a vested interest in property located in the DDA (e.g. property owner, business owner, business employee). The Housing Commission requires applicants to be a registered voter in the city of Northville and a resident of the city for at least two years.

The application is available on the city website. To be considered, applications must be submitted by Oct. 7.  After that deadline, the City Clerk will contact applicants to schedule interviews with the Board and Commission Selection Committee, comprised of Mayor Brian Turnbull and Mayor Pro Tem Barbara Moroski-Browne.  

The DDA Board of Directors strive to enhance the quality of life for the residents of the greater Northville area through economic and physical revitalization of the downtown business district. The DDA coordinates and supports activities to promote the economic viability of the downtown area. It also acts as an advocate for a safe, clean, and attractive central business district. A strong downtown center is a major attraction for development and enhances the quality of life for the entire community.  

Meetings are held at 8 a.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month. More information about the DDA Board of Directors, its composition, and member qualifications is available on the DDA website or by contacting DDA Executive Director Lori Ward.

The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) carries out the provisions in Article 25 of the City of Northville Zoning Ordinance, and also considers any other matters that the BZA is called upon to act under law or other ordinances.The BZA meets at 7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month at City Hall. More information about the BZA is available on the city website.

The Housing Commission sets policy and provides guidance for the management of Allen Terrace, an apartment community for independent senior citizens aged 62 and over. Meetings are held at 6 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month at Allen Terrace. Obtain more information here.

Photo by Daniel Watson from Pexels

Lake Street reconstruction is in progress

Water main connections are being done on Lake Street as one of the last steps in the process of installing a new water main. When completed, the milled road will be repaved. During construction, residents can still drive on the street. There will be intermittent closures – with signs posted. Watch for construction activity at the intersections of Lake St. and Grace, Carpenter, Horton and Novi Street. Please avoid the area while construction is underway unless you are a resident.

Northvillians and friends,

Continuing my fall series, let’s look at local cider mills through time and why Northville was the epicenter for apples and cider. As ever, there are a great deal of activities going on in ‘The Ville’ this October… so get out and enjoy fall in the community. Before we look at cider mills and apple orchards dating back to the mid 1800’s, let’s look at a few key dates and some local updates:

-Northville’s Farmers Market is in its last month of the season, offering Michigan goods and produce. Every Thursday from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. at 7 Mile and Center.

-Skeletons are Alive event, Oct. 7, Downton Northville. Come see the skeletons (120+ of them!) on display around the Ville through Halloween.

-Cars and Coffee, Saturday, Oct. 8, 8 - 10 a.m.  – Join our monthly gathering (2nd Saturdays) at 212 W. Cady Street, behind Old Village School next to the library. Bring a car/bring yourself.

-Witches Night Out – Oct. 13, 6 - 9 p.m. 

-History Lecture at the Community Center by the Mayor – Oct. 13, 6 p.m. 

-Northville’s Parmenter’s Cider Mill, since 1873 – (630 Baseline), open for the season. Also on its campus, check out Northville Winery & Brewing Co. with its music.

View the entire letter here or on the city website.

Keep that Northville historic faith!

Brian Turnbull

Mayor, Northville

Visit the Farmers’ Market for produce and unique items

The Farmers' Market is held Thursdays, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 7 Mile and Sheldon. Whether you come to the Northville Farmers’ Market to buy farm-grown produce, flowers for your garden, items that add beauty to your home and yard, or personal items such as specialty soaps, purses or jewelry, you’ll find unique items

and fresh goods here.

There's a food court section tucked in the market’s southwest corner with

picnic tables, food trucks, and food vendors serving from tented tables. There are plenty of

baked goods throughout the market to eat on the spot or take home for dessert.

Gardeners relish getting advice from the master gardeners’ booth, manned by experts from the

MSU Extension. They are there to answer questions and provide information about growing

plants, trees and flowers.

There are 50 vendors – full-season and weeklies – that are well spread out to allow plenty of

room to circulate. The CDC states that being outdoors and having fresh air helps reduce the risk

of catching COVID-19 but people still need to be careful.

For those who want a nice memento of their visit, step inside the butterfly wings painted on the

back of the storage building.

Photo by Liz Cezat.