Annual State of the Township Address: February 24th

COVID-19 Vaccine - Save Your Spot

Want to be notified when you are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and when Oakland County Health Division has appointments available? Simply fill out the "Save Your Spot" form at https://oaklandcountyvaccine.com.

March Board of Review Dates

The 2021 March Board of Review will be held on the following dates:
 
Tuesday, March 2, 2021              9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon (organizational meeting)

Monday, March 8, 2021               9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon and 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 9, 2021              9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon and 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 10, 2021      1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

https://www.waterfordmi.gov/258/Board-of-Review

Treasurer's Office - February News

Taxes due Tuesday, February 16
 
Last day to pay 2020 winter tax bill without penalty is Tuesday, February 16, 2021. If you need further information, please call the Treasurer’s Office at (248) 674-6220. Winter tax bills were mailed December 1, 2020. Tax amounts and bill reprints are available on the website at www.waterfordmi.gov/taxes
 
 
Payments received February 17 – March 2
2020 late summer and/or winter tax payments are accepted at the Township Treasurer Office through March 2, 2021.  Interest and penalty will be charged on any unpaid balance.  Payments must be paid at Town Hall or mailed to the Township Treasurer’s Office, 5200 Civic Center Dr, Waterford MI 48329.    Payments must be received on or before March 2, 2021.  Postmarks will not be honored.  
 
Tax Payment Options

• In person - the Treasurer’s Office located at 5200 Civic Center Dr.  Office hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
• Mail – payments may be mailed to our office at 5200 Civic Center Dr, Waterford MI 48329.  Please make checks payable to Waterford Township Treasurer.  Payments may also be mailed in the courtesy envelope sent with tax bills.  Please note there may be a delay in posting payments sent to the PO Box if your check was written incorrectly or lower part of tax statement was not included with payment.
• After Hours Drop Box – an after-hours drop box is located near the lower entrance door to the Township Hall.
• Online Banking – payment may be made through the township website at www.waterfordmi.gov/taxes.     

 
Please Note:   It is NOT recommended to have payment issued through your bank at this late date.    Payments issued through your bank takes 10 to 15 business days to receive payment.   These payments are received in envelopes that are not post marked; anything received after February 14 will be charged late penalties and fees. 
 
Cash Payments
For those considering making their payment in cash: for safety, efficiency, and Township savings, payment by personal or cashier’s check is preferred.
 
Beginning March 3
Beginning March 3, 2021, all unpaid 2020 taxes are paid to Oakland County with additional penalties (Township cannot accept payments).    Mail payments to Oakland County Treasurer, 1200 N Telegraph, Pontiac, MI 48341.  During the month of March, a revised statement from the Township Treasurer needs to accompany your remittance to the County Treasurer. 
 
Do You Need Amounts Paid for Income Taxes?
Tax amounts for 2020 and prior years may be attained on the Waterford Township website at www.waterfordmi.gov/taxes, select Tax Information Search. This site will report the base tax amount; does not give you payment status.   Statements of tax amount; payment status and date paid are available at the Treasurer’s Office.  There is a fee of 50 cents for each photocopy.
Receipts are also available online through Oakland County for a fee of $2.50 at www.oakgov.com/propertygateway - select Current Tax Report.

Waterford Township Public Library February News/Events

Library Remains in Phase 2
The updated MDHHS epidemic order continues to include the requirement for workplaces to have employees work remotely when feasible. Our staff continue to work remotely as well as on staggered shifts in-library leaving us with a skeleton crew in-library to provide services. While closed to the public we are working to complete a much needed replacement of the worn carpet in the Adults/Teen Services area. The library will remain in Phase 2 until this project is completed. Estimated date is early March 2021.  
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

• Monday, February 15 – Presidents Day

Grab Bags
Have a librarian pull a random assortment of titles for you. Well, not totally random - fill out the grab bag request form (https://www.waterfordmi.gov/1166/Library-Grab-Bags) and that will narrow it down a bit. Books or movies, for kids or adults. If you miss browsing the library’s shelves, give it a try.  Who knows, your next favorite book or movie might be in the bag!

Digital Magazines update
The library will be moving our digital magazines from RBdigital to the Libby app on February 18. You will continue to be able to browse, borrow, and enjoy all the same great magazines from ZINIO you loved in the RBdigital app, now available in Libby from OverDrive. Many of you are already familiar with the Libby app and use it to get eBooks and eAudiobooks. If you don’t already use Libby, you’ll need to install the app. All you need to get started in Libby is your device and your library card number and PIN number. The Libby app is easy to use and will guide you through the setup process and get you connected to our library in just a few minutes. If you have questions, you can find in-app support, or visit the Help site or Libby Academy within the app for assistance.

Mobile Hotspot to checkout
Beginning Saturday, February 6
The library will have a 5 mobile hotspots available for checkout. Metroparks, in partnership with The Library Network (TLN), our cooperative, has selected our library to participate in this grant funded program. This program provides the Waterford library with the mobile hotspots and unlimited data plans for 1 year. These devices can be checked out for 7 days. Holds can also be placed on them as well.

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)
Homework Help Here!
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/Teens Programs
Skillet Suppers Cooking Class with Mary Spencer via Zoom
Tuesday, February 23, 6:30p-7:30p
Learn two skillet supper recipes from start to finish from experienced culinary instructor Mary Spencer. Mary teaches the class right from her home kitchen! These are easy, delicious meals you can make in one large skillet
Mary Spencer has been a culinary instructor for over 20 years. She learned to cook from attending cooking seminars from acclaimed chefs, including Jacques Pepin, Milos Cihelka, Giulliano Bugialli and Nicholas Malgieri. Mary is the owner of Taste: A Cook’s Place, LLC, a Northville, MI, cooking school and cook’s resource center. Her class repertoire includes over 3000 “class tested” cooking presentations covering a wide range of topics.  Her personal library holds over 5,400 cookbooks!
 
*Registration is required for this Zoom program. Please provide your email address so the Zoom link can be emailed to you the day before the program. The recipes will also be emailed.
 
What’s Up in Waterford’s February Night Sky via Zoom
Thursday, February 25, 7:00p-8:30p
The winter sky in Waterford is wonderful, and amateur astronomers John and Gary from the Oakland Astronomy Club are back! Using a virtual planetarium, John Pannuto and Gary Dietz will help you identify objects in the night sky at this time of year, explain some fascinating information about what you can see, and tell you about different ways that you can view them in the  night sky. After 11 months of pandemic, it just might be helpful to take a more “cosmic” perspective on things for one evening.  Registration required. Attendance is via Zoom. Be sure to enter your email address when registering so we can send you the link to attend.

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, February 3, 1:00p-3:00p    
Waterford Genealogical Society Evening Meeting via Zoom
Tuesday, February 9, 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, February 11, 7:00 pm via Zoom
Title: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
The book is available in eBook and audio 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.  
Monday Afternoon Virtual Book Discussion
Monday, March 15, 1:00 pm via Zoom
Title: America for Beginners by Leah Fraqui
The book is available as an eBook or downloadable audiobook using the hoopla app. Or pick up a print copy from the library by calling the adult desk at 248-618-7693 in the second half of February.
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.