Meetings

Agendas and minutes are available by clicking here

City Council - Monday, Oct. 3, 7 p.m. - Council Chambers - City Hall

Beautification Commission - Monday, Oct. 3, 8:30 a.m. - Council Chambers - City Hall

Planning Commission - Tuesday, Oct. 4, 7 p.m. - Council Chambers - City Hall (No Zoom option)

Board of Zoning Appeals - Wednesday, Oct. 5, 7 p.m. Council Chambers, City Hall

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.

This Just In

Gardens in commercial space delight and unite communities

After a two-year lapse due to COVID-19, the Beautification Commissions of the city and township of Northville held their traditional awards celebration luncheon at the First Presbyterian Church during the Rotary Club’s Sept. 27 meeting. Approximately 50 people attended the 33rd Annual Northville Community Beautification Award luncheon, including Rotarians, BC members, awardees and others.

“We’re always getting better,” said Diane Pittaway, chair of the Beautification Commission. She noted that the help and support of many make it possible for the BC to work on maintaining and improving the beauty and vitality of Northville's environment.

“Lynne Mosteller, chair of the Northville Township Beautification Commission, provided an update on the group’s activities, noting, “We’re small but mighty.” The group is actively replanting 8,000 ft2 of the living plant wall at Bennett Arboretum Pathway, which in recent years has been overcome by invasive species. The BC continues to seek volunteers to help with that effort. They held a successful seedling give-away on Arbor Day, where vehicles drove up, handed in their order, and picked up their seedlings in a seamless process. With donor funds, they recently created a seasonal garden in front of Township Hall with a seating area that provides a nice vantage point of 6 Mile and Sheldon. 

Mayor Brian Turnbull joined Pittaway and Carol Pankow, BC secretary, at the podium to congratulate awardees and present certificates for framing.

The city gave two special awards. Corriveau Law won the Pride of Northville for the law office at 324 E. Main. The Pride of Northville award was presented to Angela Carson for her namesake photography studio, since this is the last year that she’ll be operating her business from the exquisitely maintained historic home at 117 N. Wing St. She is moving to a smaller studio on Center St., just north of Dunlap.

In accepting her award, Angela described the challenges of gardening with health and physical restrictions but said is learning how to work around them. She also thanked Mayor Turnbull for his dedicated service to Northville.

Top winners in the township were Deadwood Bar & Grill for Best in Township; Aisin World Corp. of America for Corporate Pride Award; and Meadowbrook Country Club for the Lifetime Award.

The top winners for both the city and township received an elegant 6 x 8 color picture of their business, in all its landscaped glory, set in a frameless stand.  View the entire city award list here. View the township list here.

Photos: Beautification Commission leaders Diane Pittaway, left, and Lynne Mosteller co-chaired the luncheon.

From left, Steve Ott, Diane Pittaway, Nachiko Hirato, Liliana Miyahara, Carol Pankow and Gary Haas were among the BC members who attended.

Photographer Angela Carson shares tips with the audience on her new gardening style after Diane Pittaway and Mayor Brian Turnbull presented her with the Pride of Northville award.

Photos by Liz Cezat

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,

The city is celebrating a milestone – the 50th year of Mill Race Village, the community’s special historic area featuring turn-of-the century homes, businesses, one-room school house and a church. The anniversary was celebrated last week during the Victorian Heritage Festival with music, the duck race, and festivities for all to enjoy.

Let’s first look at what’s going on in our city today:

Events/Info

Living and Learning’s Hockey Hearts and Heroes Event – Sept. 29. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., game at 7:30 p.m.. Watch the Detroit Red Wings Alumni Association and Frontline Workers/First Responders battle it out! This fun-filled family event benefits the Living and Learning Enrichment Center. See link for tickets and information. 

The Rotary Club of Northville’s 9th annual 2022 Tour de Ville Benefit Bike Ride will be held the morning of Oct. 1. It is Rotary’s major annual fundraising event. The ride begins and ends atthe Living and Learning Enrichment Center, 801 Griswold. For details, view the Tour de Ville website.

Northville / Novi CROP Hunger Walk, Sunday Oct. 2 – 1:30 p.m., starting at First Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Main St. See link for additional information.

Now, let’s look at the history of Mill Race Village

My parents always instilled in me that to plan for our future, you must first know the past and then embrace the present. And while many of us have done so, I encourage everyone who comes into town on Griswold to take a moment and rediscover the Mill Race Historic Village as they celebrate their 50th anniversary. It is truly a walking history of our community, set in a scenic environment with its topography of a river, pond, hills and green space.

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.

Doing Business

Secretary of State offices provide licenses & other services

Whether you need to update your drivers license, apply for a Michigan ID, or purchase a license plate for a motorized vehicle, you will find all these services and more at your local Secretary of State Office. For those who prefer not to go to an office, many transactions can be completed from home by mail or using online services

Around Town

Seniors and persons with disabilities ride at low rates on SMART buses

Northville residents who are 60 years and older as well as residents of any age with a documented disability can arrange for bus transportation to and from medical appointments, the grocery store and other non-medical destinations. This pickup service is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The service area for medical appointments is an 8-mile radius from the Northville Community Center, and a 4-mile radius for other trips.

Fares are charged as one-way trips, ranging from $1 to $4 each way, depending on the type of trip and destination. Reservations must be made at least two business days in advance by calling the transportation coordinator at 248-449-9934 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Punch cards are available in $20, $30 and $40 increments, purchased in advance.

This service is provided through the Northville Senior Transportation Program, under the Parks and Recreation Department, with funding support from SMART, Trinity Health Care System, Ascension Health Care System, The Senior Alliance, Northville Township and the City of Northville.

Historic Resource Council Directory helps owners maintain historic homes and buildings

The Historic Resource Council Directory lists architects, contractors, suppliers and others who specialize in historic preservation, rehabilitation and adaptation of historic structures and houses. This directory will interest residents of historic homes, owners of businesses in historic buildings and others who own property or are involved in the City’s Historic District. The book can be viewed online at Michigan Historic Preservation Network’s website. (See the resource page.)

Dog parks welcome new members

Dog owners who want their dogs to run off leash can register for one or two dog parks operated by Northville Parks and Recreation Dept. The Cady Street Dog Park – located behind the Northville Art House – is .7 acres and the Marv Gans Community Park – at Beck Road, north of Six Mile – is four acres. See more on the Parks and Recreation website.

At Home

Safely dispose of expired or unused medicinal drugs

If you need to dispose of unused, unwanted or expired medications, take them to the permanent, secure drop box located inside the lobby at the Northville Township Police Department, 41600 Six Mile Road. Proper disposal of medications helps prevent potential misuse by people who may be tempted to take drugs without a prescription or steal them for street sale. It also helps protect the environment by keeping drugs out of our rivers, streams, lakes and landfills. Pets and wildlife can also be adversely impacted by ingesting human medicine that’s not disposed of properly. Pharmacists are not allowed to take drugs back once they are dispensed. Drugs can be dropped off 24/7 and no paperwork is required.

Secure box gives access to your home during emergencies

For older and disabled people who live alone or are frequently alone in their homes, there are times when you just can’t answer the door in an emergency situation. A Knox Box can provide ready access to your home by first responders in the event of a stroke, heart attack, drug overdose, or other emergency. People of any age can also benefit from such a box in the event of a fire – allowing firefighters to enter your home without breaking windows.

The Knox Box is a small secure box installed near an entrance that contains a key to the home and can only be unlocked by firefighters, EMS or police with a master key.

The Fire Dept. will install the Knox Box at no charge, but there is a refundable $175 deposit, which is returned when you move or no longer need the box. The homeowner places a house key inside the box; if you change locks, make sure you also change the key inside the box. Typically a Knox Box remains at a home for years.
To sign up for this program or learn more, please contact Chief Samhat at 248-449-9920 or by e-mail. For detailed information on Knox Box products, go to www.knoxbox.com.

Don’t flush wipes

Remember to put personal wipes and baby wipes in the trash, do not flush them down the toilet even if the package says they are flushable. When flushed, they create problems in the sewer lines due to the vast quantity being flushed. Plus, the wipes can get tangled in sewer parts and bind together with other wipes and any grease that’s in the sewer. Fats as well as wipes should be thrown away not flushed away.

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If you have comments or requests for specific news items, please e-mail Liz Cezat, communications manager, at [email protected].