Northville Township named as ‘Top Workplace’ for 2nd time

    Northville Township has once again been chosen as one of the top places to work in the area.
    The designation, awarded by the Detroit Free Press, which recognizes outstanding employers, is based on employee feedback through a confidential survey that measures six culture drivers that are critical to the success of an organization. Those include alignment, professional growth, empowerment, engagement, respect and value.
    Last year, Northville Township made history by being the first municipality in Michigan to win the award in the then 15-year history of the Top Workplaces program.
    “This award is exciting,” said Northville Township Supervisor Mark J. Abbo. “Back-to-back Top Workplace wins feels twice as nice. On behalf of the Board of Trustees and with gratitude to our staff, we are honored by this achievement.”
    Northville Township employees described their workplace culture as: supportive, team orientated, professional, friendly, flexible and work-life balance. Additional questions revealed 87 percent of staff members believe Northville Township operates by strong values. Similarly, 80 percent responded that the township is also going in the right direction.
    When asked if they would highly recommend working at Northville Township to others, 78 percent said yes. Of the 166 surveys sent, 157 staff members responded. This 94.6 percent response rate is 31 percent higher than the response rate by other local governments who tried for the designation.

Northville, Canton police seeking suspects in area car thefts

    Investigators from the Northville Township Police Department and the Canton Township Police Special Operations Group are working to identify suspects involved in recent car break-ins and thefts.
    Area residents have been cautioned by Northville Township Police to take extra precautions following reports of several break-ins of parked vehicles. In some cases, the vehicles were stolen, while others were either unlocked or broken into with personal items and valuables removed, police sources said. In one reported instance, the vehicle owner left the key fob inside, making it easier to be stolen.
    “Our detectives have been working on this since August and they’ve made significant progress on it,” said Northville Township Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police Scott Hilden.
    “We are all about prevention here, so we are advising our residents to secure their vehicles, remove valuables and avoid leaving personal items and key fobs inside parked cars. This will help prevent theft,” Hilden said.
    In one incident, a suspect fled after being confronted, and personal belongings from a stolen Jeep Grand Cherokee were recovered nearby. Multiple thefts followed, including the thefts of a Chevrolet Silverado and a Ford Explorer in September.
    The Northville Township Police Department is collaborating with the Canton Police Department Special Operations Group to identify those involved.
    “This collaboration allows us to join forces to make our communities safer,” Hilden said. To share information about the crimes, contact the Northville Township Police Department at (248) 349-9400.

Winter safety tips

Winter's here and we've got a small but mighty request: Let's keep our fire hydrants clear. By shoveling out a 3-foot space around them, you're helping our Northville Township Fire Department (NTFD) access these lifesavers faster, cutting down crucial response times. And since we're talking about shoveling, NTFD has some cool tips to keep you safe and warm while you're at it: 

• Ease into your day before grabbing that shovel. Don't rush, let your body wake up first!

• Warm-up alert! A quick stretch or a little walk does wonders before you start.

•  Opt for a smaller shovel. It's about many light lifts, not a few heavy ones.

• Dress like it's a winter wonderland! Keep your hands, head, and face cozy.

• Shovel in stages. Don't forget to take those well-deserved breaks.

Together, let's make this winter safe and hydrant-friendly!

#ntwp #NTFD #PublicSafety

Free waste drop off center is now open

Residents of Northville Township and the City of Northville now have access to a free new Household Hazardous Waste drop-off center, which opened Oct. 3.

Operated by Washtenaw County in collaboration with GFL Environmental, the facility is located in the Arbor Hills complex at 10843 W. Five Mile Road, just west of Napier Road.  

The 2,400-square-foot HHW Center is open for residents by appointment only Tuesday-Friday. 

Season of giving

Northville Township Police officers collected toys to be distributed to deserving children and families during the holiday season. Officers agreed it has been a "heartwarming experience."  Officers posted a thank you to everyone who donated and to the township hall staff members who helped make the initiative such a success. The Northville Shop with a Cop event took place last week, along with the personal delivery of the toys and gifts to homes in the community.

Police patrols increased at old hospital

Anyone contemplating a visit to the deteriorating and abandoned state psychiatric hospital on Seven Mile Road in Northville has been warned that visiting the site could well result in an expensive citation for trespassing.

The Northville Township Police Department has significantly increased patrols near the property in an effort to ensure the safety of those attempting to visit the site, officials said. 

 The township recently installed a 24-hour security system to help prevent trespassing and vandalism. 

Plan for ‘Gateway Project’ presented to council

Representatives from OHM Advisors presented the final concept plan for the Ford Field Park Accessible Gateway project to city council members during a recent meeting.

The representatives requested input from the council members regarding the entrance which is proposed to be constructed north of the gateway plaza with brick pillars and wrought-iron fencing along the Hutton Street sidewalk. The Americans With Disabilities compliant sidewalk will lead from the plaza overlook to the ramp entrance. 

Council members recommended using a less expensive gateway feature then the obelisk which was priced at $75,000 and less expensive fencing. Council members also noted that stadium seating is buried under the plaza location and helps stabilize the banked area. The next step in the process will be finalizing the design and using engineering services to prepare a bid for project construction, officials said.  

Wet work

The Department of Public Works in Northville Township was recently recognized by township officials during Water and Wastewater Professional Workforce Week earlier this month. The recognition was part of the statewide effort to acknowledge the crucial role of water in the well-being of all state residents. In a statement posted on social media, township officials said, "We acknowledge the crucial role of water in our lives and express our heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated professionals who ensure our water remains a precious resource for generations to come. Our DPW performs tasks such as water and sewer maintenance, water testing and education to ensure we have safe, reliable public water and sewer service." 

Taking the lead

Corey Nicoloff has been named as operations leader for the Northville Township Public Works Department. Nicoloff, who started with the department in 2013, has earned an S-1 license and is a  graduate of Michigan Public Service Institute. In this newly-defined role, Nicoloff will spearhead the township public works team, overseeing the execution of assigned responsibilities. As operations leader, he will assist in planning, coordinating and assigning duties for the day-to-day operations, ensuring a seamless and efficient workflow, according to township officials. 

Park trail marking new under way

Northville officials welcomed representatives from the Rock Solid Trail Contracting, LLC. team to Legacy Park earlier this month.

The survey and mapping for the first phase of trail construction is now under way, officials said and as part of this process, some trees may be marked with orange and red/white striped flags. These flags are for geographical reference and do not indicate that any trees will be removed, officials said. 

Citizen of the Year nominations being accepted

Northville residents have only until Jan. 1 to nominate candidates for the annual John Genitti Citizen of the Year award.

Each year, the Northville community celebrates the dedication and commitment of community members who give their time, energy, and talent to make Northville a special place to live, work, and play, said a spokesman from the Northville Chamber of Commerce, sponsor of the event.

Each year since 1976, a citizen has been recognized with the Citizen of the Year award. In 2014, the award was designated the “John Genitti Citizen of the Year Award,” in honor of local resident and businessman John Genitti.

Northville offering discounted dog licenses until Dec. 31

Northville Township residents looking for that special holiday gift for the family pet might consider the purchase of the required 2024 dog license currently discounted to $5.

The discounted rate will be available until Dec. 31. After that date, the license renewal fee will be $7, while only new licenses will be at the $5 rate. Licenses can be purchased in person at township hall, 44405 Six Mile Road and require proof of a current rabies vaccination certificate signed by an accredited veterinarian. Payment for license fees must be in cash or check, officials said.

Council hears plan for Ford Field renovations

The vision for Ford Field park in Northville has been revealed in a 35-page master plan developed by consulting firm Wade Trim. The plan defines the way the east and west sides of the park, separated by Griswold, would be linked amid improvements to each side. 

The plan includes the expansion of a pathway that currently borders the west side to connect to the east side which would enable people to traverse the parks and emerge from either side to other areas of the city. Proposed new signage and a trail map that defines the connecting pathways would help unify the two parks, the consultants noted. In addition, a more visible pedestrian/bicycle crossing across Griswold, just north of Main Street, would provide enhanced safety for people going between the two sections of Ford Field. This goal of connectivity could take several years to achieve, the study noted.

Living and Learning

$15,000 grant will help fund programs for disabled youth

Living and Learning Enrichment Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities, has received a $15,000 grant from the Wendell and Doris Rogers Foundation (WDRF) for the second consecutive year. The contribution will support the essential operations of the organization, officials said.

The Wendell and Doris Rogers Foundation, known for its commitment to enhancing the lives of veterans and their families, at-risk youth, and youth with disabilities, continues to be a beacon of hope and support for communities in need, center officials said. 

Parks and recreation senior services supervisor named

Debbie Giulianelli-Smith 

Debbie Giulianelli-Smith has been named as the new Northville Parks & Recreation Senior Services Supervisor. 

Giulianelli-Smith has had a long relationship with Northville Parks & Recreation before her Oct. 30 start date. She and her family are longtime patrons of various Northville recreation programs, she said. Her two sons, now college-age, learned to swim through Northville Parks & Recreation classes and she discovered how to make wire-wrapped jewelry about 15 years ago. While she and her family live in Farmington Hills, she has a Northville address. 

Giulianelli-Smith said she is excited to take the reins and lead in these familiar services. She previously worked at the City of Farmington Hills Senior Division since 2018, most recently as Senior Adult Programmer. 

“Here, my immediate goal is to build our program up with extended activities through the afternoon,” Giulianelli-Smith said. “It's primarily a morning senior center and we will transition to more afternoon activities in 2024.” 

Rolling along

The Northville Township Public Safety Department had a temporary recruit last week when Alyssa Benvenuti, a graduate student at Madonna University joined both the police and fire department for 12-hour shifts including a ride-along. She completed the first-hand experience as part of her class program and rode for 12-hours with the Northville Township Fire Department and another with the Northville Township Police Department.

Planning commission approves Downs plan

The final site plan for the development of the Northville Downs property was approved by a 7 to 1 vote of the members of the planning commission last week. The commissioners included some conditions on the approval issued to developer Hunter Pasteur.

Planning Commissioner Jeff Gaines cast the lone no vote on the plan.

Among the conditions was a requirement that any changes in the final Planned Urban Development (PUD) be approved by the Historic District Commission. The commission members also stipulated that documents verifying compliance with requirements before building permits are issued. The developer is also required to update architectural plans for different color roof shingles and different garage door styles in rowhouses and single-family attached buildings within the Historic District boundary, as represented to and approved by the Historic District Commission.

Township honored as a Top Workplace for 2023

Northville Township has made history. It has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2023 honor by the Detroit Free Press. 

Northville Township is the first municipality in Michigan to win this award in the 15-year history of the Top Workplaces program, which recognizes outstanding employers. 

The honor is based on employee feedback through a confidential survey that measures 15 culture drivers that are critical to the success of an organization. They include alignment, execution and connection. 

5 new firefighters join township department

Five new firefighters, from left, Robert Casamatta, Jeremy Dochenetz,
Chief Brent Siegel, Lacey Marcotte, Jaqueline Przytulski and
Aidan Gawura officially joined the Northville Township department last week.

The Northville Township Fire Department welcomed five new firefighters last week, including the first two women to wear the uniform full time. 

Township Clerk Cynthia L. Jankowski administered the official oath of office to Robert Casamatta, Jeremy Dochenetz, Lacey Marcotte, Jacqueline Przytulski and Aidan Gawura in front of friends and family. 

The new recruits are expected to provide the highest level of fire, rescue and emergency medical services to the community, officials said. Each firefighter has several years of experience and is also a paramedic.  

Tipping Point to present A Very Northville Christmas

Tipping Point Theatre continues its 16th theatrical season beginning Nov. 29, with the Southeast Michigan premiere of A Very Northville Christmas by Robert Hawlmark and directed by John Lepard of the Williamston Theatre. 

Audiences will meet a professional woman running in the fast lane of the big city corporate world who journeys back to her hometown of Northville on a mission for her boss. When she runs into a handsome acquaintance from high school, she's forced to evaluate her life and priorities. Hot cocoa, light parades and romance collide. This spoof is for every Hallmark movie lover, hater and everyone in between. It's full of small-town charm, big-city dreams, romance and family life all set in charming downtown Northville; a Hawlmark original, organizer said.