Julie Brown, Special Writer
Part-time, variable, and seasonal Canton Township employees have gained step pay hikes, effective Jan. 1 of this year, following a unanimous vote Jan. 12 of the Canton Township Board of Trustees.
The seasonal employees will receive step raises when and if they return to work in 2021, noted Township Clerk Michael Siegrist. Some eligibility will be based on total hours worked in 2020. The pay hike is 50 cents per hour for the employees.
Members of the Canton Board of Trustees also unanimously approved on Dec. 7 a 2.5 percent pay raise for merit non-union full-time employees, along with elected township officials.
The township supervisor, treasurer and clerk hold full-time salaried positions, and received the 2.5 percent pay hike.
During a Jan. 12 Zoom meeting, trustees discussed briefly joining a regional water consortium, and allocated some $12,000 to OHM Advisors for a consortium study. Livonia, Westland and Northville Township are the other communities seeking such a consortium with Canton as a partner.
Said Trustee Kate Borninski, “I think this is really exciting.” She asked about infrastructure, including a previous water tower. Director of Municipal Services Jade Smith noted capital expenses will occur if Canton joins, with further discussion also to include water rates.
In other action on Jan. 12, the Canton Board voted unanimously to allocate $49,000 to TN Construction LLC to paint the township Public Works Building. Trustees also discussed rezoning of six parcels in the Michigan Avenue-Denton Road area, for possible online retailer use.
Trustee Steven Sneideman asked “that we will be ensured we don't lose the bulk of the trees,” a concern echoed by Trustee Tania Ganguly. Additional planning commission and board of trustees review is on tap for the site.
