There's Still Time to Respond to the 2020 Census!

Everyone Counts
The goal of this census is to count every living person in the U.S. just once and in the right place. We need your help to make sure everyone in Waterford gets counted!

Census Data Are Important!
The U.S. Constitution requires a census every 10 years. The results are used to determine the number of seats each state has in Congress, draw boundaries for voting districts, and determine how more than $675 billion in federal funding is spent in communities each year.

Taking Part is Your Civic Duty
Completing the census is required; it is a way to participate in our democracy and say "I count!"

Your Information is Confidential
Federal law protects your responses. Your answers can only be used to produce statistics and cannot be used against you by any government agency or court.

Waterford Township Census Page
Visit the Waterford Township Census page for videos, a response tracker, information, links and what to expect in the mail. www.waterfordmi.gov/census

And don't forget the Waterford 2020 Census Slogan:
I Count
You Count
Everyone Counts
Get Counted
It Counts!

Absentee ballot application instruction list

Click Application Image Above For a Short, Informative
Video Including Ballot App. Instructions & Helpful Tips

Summer Tax Bill Information

SUMMER TAX BILL
2020 tax statements will be mailed July 1.
Summer taxes are payable July 1, 2020 through September 14, 2020.

Please refer to the front and back of statement for detailed tax information.

Tax bills are mailed to either the home owner or the home owner’s mortgage company. Copies of tax bills are available online through Waterford’s website at www.waterfordmi.gov/taxes, click on Tax Information Search.

SUMMER DEFERRED
2020 summer taxes may be deferred on your primary residence until February 14, 2021. If your 2019 total household income was less than $40,000 and you meet one of the following requirements:

Senior Citizen, age 62 by December 1, 2020
Hemiplegic, Paraplegic, or Quadriplegic
Eligible Serviceperson, Veteran, Widow or Widower
Blind
Total and Permanently Disabled

A copy of your 1040A Federal Tax Form or MI-1040CR Form needs to accompany your application. Applications for deferment are available at the Treasurer’s Office. The deadline for filing is September 14, 2020.

CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP
Report change of ownership promptly to Waterford Township Assessing at (248) 674-6270. Make sure your principal residence exemption and property transfer papers are file with the assessor.

Failure to receive tax statement does not exempt taxes from penalties. If you do not receive your tax bill after the first week of July, please contact the Treasurer’s Office at (248) 674-6220.

Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) Videos Available

The Waterford Regional Fire Department and Waterford Cable Coordinator have produced a series of videos guiding staff on proper protocols for use of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE). As the community, county and state begin the phases of reopening, these videos may be helpful to businesses and their employees returning to working together and with the public.
Check them out on the Township's YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZ2DlKOgB_Q

Waterford COVID-19 Information Webpage

For up-to-date information specific to Waterford Township residents and the operations of Waterford Township offices and services, please visit the webpage dedicated to this topic on the Waterford Township website at: www.waterfordmi.gov/coronavirus

2020 Dog Licenses Are Due

2020 DOG LICENSE – IMPORTANT MESSAGE:

2020 Oakland County Dog License are available at Oakland County Animal Control located at the
1200 N.Telegraph County Complex, Building 42E.

Due to Covid-19 Late fees will be waived for 2020 Dog License through the end of 2020

Spay/Neutered dogs are $10.50 or $18.00 for a Male/Female if it is not
Senior Citizens discount Spay/Neutered dogs are $9.75 or $16.50 Male/Female if it is not

If you have any questions please contact Oakland County Animal Control at (248) 858-1090.

2021 dog licenses will be available at Waterford Treasurer’s Office January 2021 – June 2021

Waterford Parks & Recreation Says: Please Don't Litter!

With beautiful weather and increased foot traffic, we have had a significant increase in the amount of litter being thrown on the ground rather than being placed in the trash receptacles. Please be a respectful and responsible patron and keep your parks clean. You can make a difference! Thank you!

Monthly Recycling- June 13th

Waterford Township offers free monthly recycling collection of magazines and cardboard (shipping boxes, cereal boxes, toothpaste boxes, etc, free of food debris and dry.)
This service is provided the second Saturday of every month from 9am to 1pm in the parking lot at Township Hall.
Waterford residents only, please.

This event was cancelled for both April & May, so we anticipate a larger number of participants than usual. Please be patient. Residents are also encouraged to practice social distancing and wear masks for their own protection, and for the protection of the workers and other residents.

Waterford Township Raises $9,100
For Open Door Outreach Center
In Supervisor's Challenge

In April, White Lake Township Supervisor Rik Kowall issued a challenge to his fellow board members to help raise funds for Open Door Outreach Center in Waterford -- an organization that provides crisis services to more 8,000 annually in 10 local communities. Crisis funds are used to fix cars, pay insurance, stop eviction and provide food and clothing to families in need.

White Lake quickly raised $5,000 prompting Supervisor Kowall to issue a challenge to Waterford Township Supervisor Gary Wall and Commerce Township Supervisor David Scott asking them to join the efforts to assist Open Door Outreach Center to recover funds lost when they had to cancel two of their largest annual fundraising events due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As always, Waterford responded in an incredible way! Township employees, Waterford business owners and residents, elected officials, and Township employee unions donated more than $9,100 to Open Door Outreach Center through the Supervisor's Challenge.

Way to go Waterford, White Lake and Commerce! Your incredible generosity will assist our neighbors in their most vulnerable times.

Bottle & Can Drive for Waterford Charities a Success!
Waterford Charities Receive $10,000

Five Waterford charities each received $2,000 in donations from a bottle and can drive organized by Phil Karmo, owner of Russ’ Party Store on Elizabeth Lake Rd. and held on two consecutive Tuesdays in the parking lot of Town Hall.

As always, the Waterford community made a great showing and donated a total of $6,500 in returnable cans and bottles!

An additional $3,500 was donated by Mr. Karmo and his business partners Joe Frase and Dave George for a total of $10,000 to be distributed equally to five charitable organizations here in Waterford: Blessings in Backpack, Meals on Wheels, Open Door Outreach Center, Waterford Coalition for Youth and Waterford Youth Assistance.

Once again, thank you to the Waterford community for the extraordinary number of returnables you donated. And thank you to these business owners for helping make the event so successful.

GFL Environmental - Update

Carts
If you opted out of recycling and still have a cart that needs to be collected, please call GFL at 248-204-6762. You may also request to change the size of your trash or recycling cart through June 30, 2020 by calling the same number.

Please remember that trash and recycling carts need to be stored in accordance with the Waterford Township Code of Ordinances. The ordinance requires waste and recycling containers to be stored in garages or sheds, or outdoors, secured, and beyond the front building line in side or rear yard.

GFL will collect trash and recycling from the blue Waterford GFL provided carts only. They will not collect trash or recycling from other providers' carts.

Yard waste should be placed in up to 32-gallon plastic or metal containers marked "Yard Waste", and/or in brown paper yard waste bags purchased by the resident. The weight limit on containers and contents is 50 pounds.

Holiday reminder
Because Independence Day falls on a weekend this year (Saturday, July 4, 2020), collection will NOT be delayed. Trash, recycling and bulk items will continue to be collected on your regular collection day before and after this holiday.

Contacts and More Information
GFL Environmental can be reached at 844-464-3587 or 248-204-6762
The GFL website is www.gflusa.com

Waterford Township also has a waste hauler information page www.waterfordmi.gov/trash

Notice from Assessing

The Assessing Department will be sending out letters if your property has been selected for a review or if you were issued a permit for work on your property. If you receive a letter, an Assessor will visit your property sometime between now and the end of the year. We will continue to work in the field for collecting data for the Township’s Assessing records. We strive to be as accurate as possible. Unfortunately, during this time with the COVID-19 pandemic collecting data for both interior and exterior process creates some challenges.

The Assessing Department staff will continue to collect data but will have a no contact policy for your protection and the staff’s protection. Therefore, we will not be knocking on doors or coming into homes or businesses for interior inspections. We will contact you or leave you contact information for you to call the office. We will however be continuing with our exterior inspections and measurements. We would appreciate it if you see one of the Township staff that you keep all animals inside while we measure the exterior structures on your property. The Township staff will be identifiable by their Township logo vehicle, shirt and identification.

If you see the Township staff, do not be alarmed, they will be wearing gloves and a mask if necessary as they work as quickly as possible. They will tag your door if they need more information. We will also encourage any additional information you would like to provide to the staff. If it is credible information then we will consider it to value your property. If you have any questions, or would like a copy of your property’s record card sent to you, please contact the Assessing Department at 248-674-6270.

Paula J. Moore, MMAO
Chief Assessor

Waterford Township Public Library - June News

Library Plans for Restarting Services

Library Services can begin again now that staff can report to work. This will be a slow and careful process that will be implemented in phases. These phases will require limits to services as well as access to parts of the building to ensure a safe environment for patrons and staff.
Our first phase will be adding to the contactless services we have been offering remotely with curbside delivery of materials and opening the outside book returns. It will take time to get these in place as staff return to work and our cooperative's online circulation system is reconfigured to pre-closure settings to allow holds to begin again as well as re-establishing due dates. As we implement Phase 1 note that all returned items are quarantined for safety before they are checked in so there will be a slight time delay if you are tracking your returns on your library account. Overdue fines are suspended at this time and all due dates have been extended - no need to renew.
In the interim staff continue working remotely to provide library services weekdays from 9:00a-5:00p. You can call 248-618-7693 (Adults Services) or 248-918-7692 (Children’s Services) for reference/information services. Or email wateref@waterfordmmi.gov.
Need a library card? We are issuing them remotely. Residents of Waterford or Lake Angelus without a library card can email Jonathan Deahl, jdeahl@waterfordmi.gov to register.
Remote services available with your library card include the online databases through the library’s website (choose "Research & Learning" on menu at the top of the homepage) and downloadable eContent, e.g. eBooks, eAudiobooks, videos, music, from Libby (Overdrive), Hoopla and RBdigital (choose "Books & More" on menu at the top of the homepage). These eContent services have apps available for your phone/tablet/computer.
Our Wi-Fi connection can be accessed from the Library’s parking lot 24/7. Remember that proximity to the building and the number of concurrent users affect connectivity.
Thank you for your patience and understanding. We look forward to serving you onsite again.

Virtual Summer Reading programs for Children, Teens and Adults
Staff are making plans to offer these online. The Wandoo Reader software application, familiar to many of our previous participants, will be used to register and record your reading over the summer and your goals reached. Incentives are an important part of this annual event and will remain so this year. Details available on the Library’s website and in our newsletter in June.

1,000 Books before Kindergarten
For children, infant to 5 years. We are a participating library in this early literacy program. You can participate online using phone apps for either iPhone or Android. Search under 1000 Books before Kindergarten. Read to your young child. For every 100 books that you read together, we will put your child’s name on our “Wall of Fame.” Once the Library reopens, your child can pick out a book to keep. Reach the 1,000-book milestone and get a book bag.

Waterford Township Department
of Public Works June News

Board Approves Extension for Water/Sewer Bill Payments

The Waterford Township Board of Trustees approved 60 day extensions without penalty on Water/Sewer bills for March, April, May & June to help relieve some of the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic for Waterford residents and business owners.

At a regular meeting on Monday, April 27, 2020 the Waterford Township Board of Trustees unanimously approved a 60 day extension for payments of March, April, May and June 2020 Water and Sewer bills for residential and businesses customers.
March 2020 bills will now be due May 30, 2020
April 2020 bills will now be due June 30, 2020
May 2020 bills will now be due July 30, 2020
June 2020 bills will now be due August 30, 2020

Water-Sewer bills can be viewed and paid on the Waterford Township website at: www.waterfordmi.gov/264/Water-Sewer-Bill

Please direct any questions to the Department of Public Works at 248-674-2278.

DPW - Operations During Pandemic
The Waterford Township DPW is open and operating. Waterford Township DPW is asking all business be conducted via phone (248) 674-2278, US Mail service or online at www.waterfordmi.gov/199/Public-Works. In home services (meter repairs) have been suspended until further notice. 24 Hour Emergency Service is available by calling 248-618-7550.

Customers that would normally pay in person are asked to use the envelope provided with their bill to mail payment in or place their payment in the drop box near the main DPW entrance. Contactless payments including Auto Debit, On-line payments or using a financial institution’s bill pay are preferred during this time. These contactless forms of payment are also the quickest way to pay your bill, as any payments placed in our drop box will be quarantined for 5 days before being posted to accounts.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as well continue to find ways to maintain operations while protecting the safety, health and welfare of our community.

Hydrant Flushing
The Waterford Township Department of Public Works will continue hydrant flushing through June 4^th.
Flushing hydrants can stir up minerals and sediment in the system causing customers to experience temporarily rusty or cloudy water. Customers experiencing these issues are advised to run cold water in a bathtub or laundry tub until the water begins to run clear.
This program is essential to maintain our water distribution system.
Questions or concerns may be directed to the DPW at 248-674-2278.

Toilets Are Not Trashcans!
The Waterford Township Department of Public Works is asking citizens to do their part in maintaining our sanitary sewer system and preventing sewer backups.
Only flush the 3 Ps…

Pee
Poop
Paper

Products marketed as being “flushable” should not be flushed; these wipes are not biodegradable and will not break down in the sewer system. Flushing anything other than the 3 P’s can lead to sewer backups and our staff having to manually remove the material from equipment throughout the system.

Grab N Go lunches at the Waterford Senior Center

Cable Commission Seeks Candidates

The Waterford Township Cable Commission is seeking candidates for an open seat on the commission.

The cable commission monitors franchise compliance with the cable companies, resolves disputes arising between subscribers and the cable company, encourages the use and viewing of community cable channels, evaluates the cable system, and makes recommendations to the Township Board.

The cable commission meets monthly in the evenings at Waterford Township Hall. Cable commissioners serve 4 year terms.

Interested candidates should complete an application and submit with a letter of interest per instructions at the following link: https://www.waterfordmi.gov/257/Boards-Commissions

A background in telecommunications is preferred

Safe Home Cooking - From
Waterford Regional Fire Department

What you should know about home cooking safety
Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don’t use the stove or stovetop.

Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, boiling, or broiling food.
If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the kitchen while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop.

If you have a cooking fire

Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number after you leave.
If you try to fight the fire, be sure others are getting out and you have a clear way out.
Keep a lid nearby when you’re cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.

Safety considerations for cooking with oil

Always stay in the kitchen when frying on the stovetop.
Keep an eye on what you fry. If you see wisps of smoke or the oil smells, immediately turn off the burner and/or carefully remove the pan from the burner. Smoke is a danger sign that the oil is too hot.
Heat the oil slowly to the temperature you need for frying or sautéing.
Add food gently to the pot or pan so the oil does not splatter.
Always cook with a lid beside your pan. If you have a fire, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Do not remove the cover because the fire could start again. Let the pan cool for a long time. Never throw water on the fire.
If the fire does not go out or you don’t feel comfortable sliding a lid over the pan, get everyone out of your home. Call the fire department from outside.

Coooking fire facts
Based on 2013-2017 annual averages:

Cooking equipment is the leading cause of home* fires and fire injuries, causing 49% of home fires that resulted in 21% of the home fire deaths and 45% of the injuries.
Two-thirds (66%) of home cooking fires start with the ignition of food or other cooking materials.
Clothing is the item first ignited in less than 1% of these fires, but clothing ignitions lead to 14% of the home cooking equipment fire deaths.
Ranges or cooktops account for almost two-thirds (62%) of home cooking fire incidents.
Unattended equipment is a factor in one-third (31%) of reported home cooking fires and half (48%) of the associated deaths.
Frying dominates the cooking fire problem.
Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.

BE SAFE, Fire Chief Matthew J. Covey