Last Chance to Register for Ladies Day Out This Friday

Memorial Day Parade Cancelled

Due to social distancing restrictions and with an abundance of caution, the VFW Post 1008, in agreement with Waterford Township, has announced they will cancel Waterford’s Annual Memorial Day Parade.

The 2019 Memorial Day Parade will air on local access cable Municipal Channel 20, May 31, 2021, at 10:00 a.m.

Please take this day to remember the men and women that have sacrificed their lives for this great Nation.

Monthly Recycling May 15th

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 9 am to 1 pm in the parking lot at Township Hall. Waterford residents only, please.

Please note that the September 2021 recycling date will be held on the THIRD Saturday of the month instead. September's recycling date is Saturday, September 18th.

Thank You Earth Day Volunteers- Another Successful Year

On behalf of the Waterford community, I want to say "thank you" to our Earth Day Cleanup volunteers for their time and efforts on Saturday, April 24, 2021 for Waterford's 6th annual Earth Day Waterford Township Cleanup event!

Each year the event continues to grow with more volunteers working to clear litter from Waterford roadways and parks. This year our team of 100 volunteers helped clean up more than 37 cubic yards of debris – litter that is otherwise an eyesore and an environmental hazard to our wildlife and waterways.

Your work made an impact in some of the most heavily littered areas of the Township. I’m truly grateful for volunteers like you and your families!

Thank you, too, to the generous donor businesses who supported our event:
GFL Environmental, USA for use of dumpsters
Sam’s Club of Novi for donation of trash bags and gloves
Tenuta's Food Lane for donating bottled water for the volunteers

Click on the photo above to see more of our hard-working volunteers!

Save the date for 2022 Earth Day Township Cleanup - Saturday, April 23, 2022. Sign up for Earth Day email updates on our website: https://www.waterfordmi.gov/list.aspx

Again, my sincere thanks!
- Gary Wall, Waterford Township Supervisor

Don't Miss the Return of Concerts in the Park!

We're thrilled to announce the return of the 2021 Hess-Hathaway Concerts in the Park series! Every Thursday in June, join us at Hess-Hathaway Park for music, BBQ & Brew. The concerts are free! Food, ice cream, and beverages are available for sale!
Brought to you through a fantastic partnership between the Waterford Area Chamber of Commerce and Waterford Parks & Recreation with the help of many generous sponsors who we couldn't do it without!

Waterford Residents: Rental and Mortgage Subsistence Payment Programs

With funds received under the authorization of Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), Waterford Township may be able to provide rental and mortgage payment subsistence assistance to low to moderate-income Township residents who have lost their job, been furloughed, or had their hours reduced because of the economic impact of COVID-19.

Subsistence payments are made directly to the provider or lender on the applicant's behalf. Eligible renters/homeowners include those living in households in Waterford Township with incomes at or below 80% AMI and can provide documentation of need due to the applicable impact of COVID-19. Assistance will be provided to income-qualified households on a first come first serve basis until the allocated funds are exhausted or the assistance program is no longer found to be necessary. Assistance cannot exceed three month’s rent or three times the actual monthly mortgage payment, whichever is applicable. Further, rental assistance cannot exceed the actual cost of the rent (including late fees) and shall not exceed fiscal year 2020 FMR values as well as HUD’s standard of rent reasonableness.

For questions, contact Stacy St. James at sstjames@waterfordmi.gov or 248-674-6240.
Rental Assistance Application: Click here
Mortgage Assistance Application: Click here

Waterford Businesses: Local Business COVID-19 Assistance

Waterford Township is pleased to announce the Local Business COVID-19 Assistance Program. This program utilizes funds received under the authorization of the CARES Act to provide mortgage and rent relief to small businesses within the Township up to $10,000.

As secondary requests, the Township will also consider requests up to $2,000 for inventory, supplies, furniture, software, and construction costs that would be able to further assist our local businesses to operate through this pandemic. These are provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

For details and more information, please visit the Township website or contact Jeffrey Polkowski, Superintendent of Planning & Zoning, at 248-674-6238.

SBA: $9.5 Billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund

The Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) provides emergency assistance for eligible restaurants, bars, and other qualifying businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This fund is part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) and is managed through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to help these businesses keep their doors open. Click the image below for a PDF overview put together for Oakland Together, then visit the SBA website for details and application.
The application process opened May 3.

Water Quality Report

Waterford Township DPW has released the 2020 Annual Water Quality Report.
DPW prides itself on providing our customers with safe, quality drinking water and is proud to present our
22^nd Drinking Water Quality Report. This report includes details regarding where our drinking water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to standards set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.

To view the report visit www.waterfordmi.gov/waterqualityreport or you can request a copy to be mailed by calling our office at 248-674-2278.

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.

Attention all Lawn, Landscape and Garden Enthusiasts:

As you start planning your spring landscape and gardening projects, consider having a second water meter installed. This second meter is used to register the outdoor water use for your property; measuring the outdoor water use separately allows DPW to not bill sewer portion for water that is not entering the sewer system. The sewer cost is the largest portion of your quarterly bill and having a second meter installed could provide significant cost savings depending on your outdoor water habits.

The current cost for a 5/8” sprinkler meter is $185 and quarterly charges are $13.03 for the first 1,000 cubic feet of use and $2.91/100 cubic feet over 1,000. Questions about past water use, purchasing a sprinkler meter, or to schedule an appointment please call 248-674-2278.

Waterford Township Public Library - May News & Events

Library Collections Now Open for Browsing
Phase 4 of the Library's Reopening Plan is now in effect. Hours of service: Monday through Thursday 10:00a-10:30a Dedicated Time for Vulnerable Visitors, (ages 60+, pregnant women, and those with chronic conditions). Monday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m. & Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. - General Public
The capacity limit is 70. Please complete your visit to 30 minutes or less.

Masks must be worn, bridge of nose to chin, at all times during your visit.
Study rooms, Meeting rooms, and study tables are NOT available at this time.

We look forward to seeing you in the library soon!

Holiday Closure
Monday, May 31st, Memorial Day
Regular Hours resume Tuesday, June 1 at 10:00 a.m.

Children’s Programs (through age 12)
GET READY FOR
Tails and Tales: 2021 Children’s Summer Reading Program
June 1 through July 31.
Open to all students ages 3-12 years. Set and meet your own reading goals. Prizes include books, gift cards, book bags, t-shirts, games, craft kits, passes to fun places around the township and other cool stuff. Summer Activity Kits recommended for ages 3-12 will showcase a different continent each week with a craft bag containing a variety of animal and cultural crafts.

Teens (grades 6-12)
Teen Summer Reading is just a month away
June 1 through July 31
For 6^th – 12^th graders. Register for Teen Summer Reading starting June 1. Log the number of minutes you read over a 9-week period. Ideally, your goal should be to read at least 20 minutes a day. We know summer is busy with all kinds of activities, but it’s important to keep reading over the summer in order to stay sharp for when school starts up again. You can read books, graphic novels, magazines, newspapers, and comic books. eContent and audiobooks are acceptable as well. Prizes awarded by random drawing to participants who have logged at least 500 minutes. 1^st prize – Kindle Fire Tablet, 2^nd prize Bluetooth Speaker/Night Light, 3^rd prize – Meijer gift card.

Adults - Programs
Take & Make Craft for Adults: Flowerpot Pincushion
Monday, May 17. Registration, 12:00 a.m.-11:59 p.m., required.
Register to pick up a kit during the week of May 17-22 that includes almost everything you need to make a functional and decorative flowerpot pincushion. You will need your own glue gun and hot glue to complete this craft.

Enrichment Groups via Zoom
(Registration is required for all Zoom presentations. Provide your email address in order to receive a link to the Zoom meeting one or 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.)

Knitting Group via Zoom
Wednesday mornings, 10:00 a.m.-Noon. Registration required.
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.

Waterford Genealogical Society Afternoon Meeting via Zoom
Wednesday, May 5, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Registration required.
Waterford Genealogical Society Evening Meeting via Zoom
Tuesday, May 11, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Registration required.
All are welcome to attend. Genealogy is the study of family ancestries and histories.

Library Garden Club meeting
Wednesday, May 12, Work Bee in the Gardens, 4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m., Seminar 7:00p-8:00p via Zoom.
Seminar topic: TBD
Participants will share information they have found on this topic and useful resources as well as tips & tricks from their own experience growing such gardens.

Virtual Book Discussion Groups
Thursday, May 13, 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. Registration required.
Title: Writers & Lovers: a Novel by Lily King
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.
Monday Afternoon Virtual Book Discussion
Monday, May 17, 1:00 p.m. via Zoom. Registration required.
Title: Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna by Juliet Grames
You can get a copy of the book to check out by calling the adult desk at 248-618-7693 and then picking it up using contactless pick-up in the front entryway of the library. This title is also available as an eBook and a downloadable audiobook in our hoopla app.

Fire Safety Tips from WRFD

With Spring and Summer weather changes on the horizon here are a few safety tips, should you encounter severe weather.

Working smoke alarms are especially important during a loss of power when people may use alternate forms of heating equipment, portable generators, and candles.
Never use candles for emergency lighting. Many things in your home can catch fire if they are too close to a candle's flame.
Use flashlights for emergency lighting and stock up on batteries.
Have a qualified repair company or licensed electrician inspect water-damaged appliances and home wiring after a flood.
Portable generators are useful during storms, but if not used safely, they can cause injury and death.
Keep portable generators outside, away from windows, and as far away as possible from your home.
Install and test carbon monoxide alarms at least once a month.

Walk, Bike, Drive Safe!

Pedestrians and bicyclists are much more likely to suffer an injury or fatality in a traffic crash than drivers. In fact, while pedestrian and bicycle crashes make up approximately 2 percent of all traffic crashes, they account for almost 30 percent of all traffic fatalities in Southeast Michigan.

With the increased interest in walking and biking across the region, it is everyone’s responsibility to keep our streets safe for all users, especially those most vulnerable.

Visit the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) website today for reminders and tips to share to help keep everyone safe walking, biking, and driving in Waterford Township and the region!

Waterford Township Clerk Announces Beautification Contest

The Township would like to recognize homeowners, neighborhoods, condominiums, and apartment associations, schools, churches, and businesses that take pride in making their exteriors beautiful.

If you are interested in participating in the Township’s Beautification Contest, please submit a form and a before picture (optional) by Friday, July 30, 2021.

The form can be found on the Township’s website, the Clerk’s Office, or by emailing kmarkee@waterfordmi.gov, (be sure to include your return email address), and a form will be emailed to you.

Award signs will be placed from August 28 to September 11, 2021. Please contact the Clerk’s office with any questions.

Summer Camps: Registration Now Open
These Exciting Camps & More - Check It Out Today!

Holiday Closing & Summer Hours

The Waterford Township Administrative offices and the Library will be closed Monday, May 31, 2021, in observance of Memorial Day.

Waterford Township offices will also begin summer hours of 7:30 am to 4:30 pm beginning Tuesday, June 1, 2021.

Free, Fun Scavenger Hunt Adventure!

Here is a scavenger hunt adventure that will send you on your way to visit 10 different parks or facilities within Waterford Parks and Recreation. This is a free, flexible program with new discoveries, a fun time with your family & friends, and a drawing for prizes at the end.
It's free to play, but you must register to get your first clue. www.waterfordmi.gov/parks then click "online registration" and look for "special events"!
Self-led and perfect for outdoor and socially distance fun with the family!