Santa on Lake Oakland Christmas Eve 2020

Even Santa knows the best place to water ski on Christmas Eve or any other time is right here in Waterford Township, Michigan. Photo taken December 24, 2020, on Lake Oakland. Brrr, looks like a chilly ride, St. Nick!

All Campfire Permits Expired 1/1/21

Waterford Regional Fire Department has updated the campfire permitting process.

All Waterford Township campfire permits issued by the Waterford Regional Fire Department expired on January 1, 2021.

Residents wishing to renew their campfire permits may do so online at www.waterfordmi.gov/370/Campfire-Permits

A valid state ID, email address, and phone number must be entered when applying for a campfire permit. Upon processing of your application, a permit will be emailed to you.

Visit the website for more information www.waterfordmi.gov/370/Campfire-Permits

Once issued, campfire permits are valid for one year and will need to be renewed annually.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we streamline our permitting process to make it as accurate and simplified as possible.

Are You On The List?

Water main breaks and water service interruptions happen more frequently in the winter months due to colder temperatures.

Be sure you're on the contact list to receive emergency notifications sent by phone call, email, text, or all three targeted to your address. Take 5 minutes now to sign up today.

Visit the Waterford Township website to register for CivicReady alerts https://www.waterfordmi.gov/500/Civic-Ready

After hours water/sewer emergency? Call 248-618-7550.
This number can be found on the homepage of the DPW website www.waterfordmi.gov/publicworks, or by calling the main DPW phone line at 248-674-2278.

2021 Waterford Calendar - Highlights

Check your Winter 2020 tax bills (mailed December 1st) for your copy of the 2021 Waterford Events highlights calendar featuring just some of Waterford Township’s abundant opportunities to connect with your friends, neighbors, and community!

We know that in a fast-paced world with busy schedules it can be a challenge to find time to make these vital connections. We also believe that Waterford is made better when the people who live, work and play here have the chance to meet up and share common interests in recreation, activities, education, volunteering, support of charitable organizations, community meetings, and more.

2020 showed us that it's tough to plan ahead and many events were canceled, but we're hopeful that 2021 will get us back on track and we'll be able to connect in person as a community once again soon.

Visit the Waterford Township website in the Community tab for more information and an overview of events we can likely enjoy in 2021. Be sure to check back throughout the year for calendar updates!

Medical Marijuana Facilities Licensing

On January 4, 2021, the Waterford Township Clerk's office began accepting applications for Medical Marjiuana Licenses. Two each of five license types are expected to be allocated to successful applicants following a thorough review process and approval of the Waterford Township Board of Trustees.
For more information including the ordinance approved in the fall of 2020, visit the website dedicated to this topic

Monthly Recycling - January 9

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.

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.

Closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Waterford Township administrative offices and the Waterford Township Public Library will be closed Monday, January 18, 2021, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Emergency services remain available during this administrative closure.

News From the Treasurer's Office

As Waterford Township’s new Treasurer, I would like to thank everyone for supporting me and I look forward to serving everyone for the next 4 years.

Margaret Birch served Waterford for 14 years and deserves a huge thank you for her diligent service to the Township.

As we look toward 2021, I would like to wish everyone a very Healthy and very Happy and Positive New Year.

Steven Thomas, Waterford Township Treasurer

DETROIT MAILING ADDRESS:
Why are tax payments mailed to a P.O. Box in Detroit?
Our local bank, JP Morgan Chase on Dixie Highway in Waterford, has a payment center located in Detroit. This payment center saves Waterford money by collecting, posting and depositing tax payments.
Payments may be sent directly to Waterford Township Treasurer at 5200 Civic Center Dr, Waterford MI 48329.


ONLINE PAYMENTS MADE THROUGH YOUR BANK
If you initiate your payment through your financial institution, a paper check will be issued. Make sure payment is sent to:
            5200 Civic Center Drive, Waterford, MI 48329
Do not send payment to a P.O. Box address which will delay delivery of payment. For ONLINE BANKING through your Bank, please schedule your payment to be delivered 10 business days prior to due date or your payment may be late and interest applied. Please note payments are posted paid the date the check is received in our office by the post office.

ONLINE PAYMENTS MADE THROUGH TOWNSHIP SITE:
Online payments processed through the Township website at:
www.twp.waterford.mi.us/taxes/ will be posted paid on the scheduled payment date you choose.

RECYCLE YOUR ENVELOPE
We appreciate you bringing your unused envelope when making your payment at town hall.

DOG LICENSES:

The license fees are:
            $10.50 if dog is spayed or neutered
            $18.00 if dog is not spayed or neutered
If pet owner is a senior citizen (65 years or older):
            $ 9.75 if dog is spayed or neutered
            $16.50 if dog is not spayed or neutered

2021 dog licenses are available at the Treasurer’s Office. To obtain a license, proof of current rabies vaccination certificate is needed.
The Township sells only the 1-year license.   3-year license are available at Oakland County Animal Control. Please call Animal Control at (248) 858-1090 for more information.

Oakland County Animal Control has moved from its Auburn Hills facility to Pontiac.
The new shelter is located at 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Building 42 East, in Pontiac, next to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office headquarters.

Department of Public Works News

Attention Snowbirds:
Please contact Waterford DPW at 248-674-2278 to schedule to have water turned off to your home before you leave for the winter. Appointments for turn off are scheduled for an exact date and time for a technician to come out.

Turning the water off at the road is a safeguard against frozen pipes and will save you money as billing is suspended while the water is off. A $30 turn off charge is assessed and a $30 turn on charge will be assessed when water is turned back on in the spring.

Contactless Payment Options
Waterford Township DPW would like to remind residents and business owners of their many contactless payment options. Payments can be made through the mail using the provided envelope and payment coupon, in person using the dropbox to the right of our main entrance, on our website with a credit or debit card, through a financial institution’s bill pay or with Auto Debit.

Customers interested in automatic payment from a checking or savings account can return the blue form mailed with their most recent bill statement to our office. The Auto Debit form is also available to download on our website. Questions about the Auto Debit program or any of our contactless payment options can be answered by staff at 248-674-2278.

Business Owners & Snowbirds
News From the Assessing Office

ATTENTION WATERFORD BUSINESS OWNERS: Personal Property Statements/Small Business Exemption Affidavits were mailed out 12/30/2020. Personal Property Statements need to be received by the Waterford Assessing Department by February 20, 2021. If your personal property equipment is worth $80,000 or less (true cash value), you may qualify for the Small Business Exemption. If so, complete the Small Business Exemption Affidavit along with the Personal Property Statement and return it to Waterford Assessing Department by February 20, 2021. If you have any questions, please contact the Assessing Department at 248-674-6270.

ATTENTION ALL “SNOWBIRDS”! Please contact the Waterford Assessing Department with your forwarding address if you are leaving town for the winter. Even though you may have your mail forwarded by the U.S. Post Office, property tax bills and assessments notices are not forwarded and are returned to the Township. Please call 248-674-6270 to let us know your Winter address.

Waterford Township Public Library - January 2021

Library Remains in Phase 2
The update by the MDHHS of the epidemic order that went into effect on December 21, 2020 is a positive sign. What does this mean for library services? No change at present. The Library continues in Phase 2 of our Reopening Plan. The requirement for workplaces to have employees work remotely when feasible is still in force. Our staff will continue to work remotely as well as on staggered shifts in-library. This leaves us with a skeleton crew in-library to provide services.
The library is closed to the public. Service hours remain:
Monday – Thursday 10:00a – 9:00p, Saturday, 10:00a – 5:00p.
Reduced on-site staff hours will continue to provide the following services:

Contactless Pickup of materials on hold in the library Entryway (instead of curbside)
Remote reference & reader’s advisory via phone, email, chat, and Facebook Messenger
Virtual programs
Online information resources and downloadable eContent
Free Wi-Fi throughout our parking lot
All returns accepted through our exterior book drops

Thank you for your continued support as we adapt services to this changing environment.

HOLIDAY CLOSURE

Monday, January 18 – Martin Luther King Day

Auto-Renewal on Your Checkouts
Now, materials you checkout will auto-renew if:

The checked out item is eligible for renewals and is not on hold for another patron.
The item has not reached its two (2) renewal limit.
Your library card account is not blocked.

Auto-Renewal occurs 3 days before an item is due and you will receive a notice of that auto-renewal.

Children’s Programs (through age 12)
The Craft Corner on Facebook
Saturdays 10:00a
Join us virtually for The Craft Corner. Follow us on Facebook as we post short, craft videos every Saturday at 10:00 am. The children’s librarians are demonstrating simple, fun, and inexpensive crafts that you can do at home with items either found around your house, or in local stores. See Waterford Township Public Library YouTube channel for archived presentations.

Ready Reads on Facebook
Mondays-Thursdays 11:00a
Join on Facebook for our Ready Reads story time. The children's librarians are reading a story or two, sometimes with a song or other fun activity. Story readings will be on Facebook for a limited time, but we're posting something new every weekday.
Storytimes-in-a-Bag
Until we can have weekly storytimes, why not take a storytime home with you? Each bag has library books, songs, toys, and/or activities geared toward specific ages groups (Babies-Pre-K). They are worked around themes, just like our in-person storytimes. Books and toys must be returned, but the songs and activities are yours to keep. Call us at (248) 674-4831 to request a bag. NOTE: When the bags are returned all items are quarantined for 4 days/96 hours and cleaned before going back into circulation.
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.” Plus, your child can pick out a book to keep. Reach the 1,000-book milestone and get a book bag.
Teens (grades 6-12)
Brainfuse HelpNow
Are you looking for help with homework? Do you need assistance preparing for the SAT, ACT, or other tests? Do you or your parents have questions about filling out the FAFSA application? The library now has Brainfuse’s HelpNow FREE online tutoring service that Waterford cardholders can use for these and other situations where tutors can help. All you need is a Waterford library card to begin getting the assistance you’re looking for with homework, writing assistance, standardized tests, college preparation, and more.

Adults – Enrichment Groups, drop-ins welcome
Knitting Group via Zoom
Wednesday mornings, 10:00a- Noon
Share patterns, exchange ideas, show off your projects, and socialize while you knit! During the COVID-19 outbreak, our Knitting Group will meet virtually via Zoom. Sign up and provide your email address to be included in the weekly Zoom meeting invites.
Waterford Genealogical Society Afternoon Meeting via Zoom
Wednesday, January 6, 1:00p-3:00p
Waterford Genealogical Society Evening Meeting via Zoom
Tuesday, January 12, 7:00p-8:30p
All are welcome to attend. You must register and enter your email address in order to attend online using zoom. One or two days before the meeting you will be sent a link to use to join the meeting. Genealogy is the study of family ancestries and histories.
Virtual Evening Book Discussion
Thursday, January 14, 7:00 pm via Zoom
Title: His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie
The book is available in ebook (https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/12894143) and audio (https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/13557812) formats on hoopla. If you haven’t used hoopla before and would like to give it a try, please visit our Digital Downloads page (https://www.waterfordmi.gov/611/Downloadable-eBooks-Audiobooks-and-Magaz), which has help sheets to get you started. There will also be a limited number of hard copies of the book, including large print and book on CD formats. Please call 248-618-7693 or email wateref@waterfordmi.gov regarding availability. Registration is required. Provide your email address in order to receive a link to the Zoom meeting two days before the event.
For help with Zoom, see the GCFGlobal tutorial (https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/zoom/getting-started-with-zoom/1/) or visit the "Joining a Meeting" page on the Zoom website.

Protect Everyone In Your Home -
Reminders from the Waterford Regional Fire Department

Protect Everyone: Alarms & Young Children

Protect Everyone: Test Alarms & Older Adults

Winter Driving Safety Tips From the Michigan Office of Highway Safety

As snow falls here in Michigan, the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) is launching a new winter driving safety campaign to remind drivers to slow down and use caution when traveling on slick and snow-covered roads.

For Tips on Winter Driving Safety visit https://www.michigan.gov/documents