December 5, 2024      BARTON BULLETIN      VOL. LXX No. 18

Barton Hills Village    199 Barton Shore Drive    Ann Arbor MI 48105

734-222-5209    fax 734-222-9177    bhvclerk@bartonhillsvillage.org    www.bartonhillsvillage.org

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING     The Board of Trustees will meet at Walter Esch Hall on Monday, December 9, 2024 at 6:00 PM.

 

Public comment may be submitted in writing to Barton Hills Village prior to the meeting, or in person during the meeting.  The public may attend in person or watch live on Zoom (view only!).  The Zoom meeting ID: 851 1443 3119   Passcode:  717487.

 

BHV ANNUAL ROAD CLOSURE    Monday December 9, 2024 from 8AM-10AM. Roads will remain open for BHV residents and guests.

 

Barton Hills roads have been closed for a 2–3 hour period annually to preserve their private nature. Prior to 2010 the roads were closed as directed by the Barton Hills Maintenance Corporation. From 2010 to 2019 the roads were closed as directed by Barton Hills Village. From 2020 to present, the roads are closed by BHV on behalf of BHMC as stated in the Road Maintenance Agreement, page 1, Section 1 services, signed/dated August 17, 2020.

 

WATER CONSUMER CONFIDENCE REPORT UPDATED   The annual Water Consumer Confidence Report for calendar year 2023 has been updated. It includes important information on:

  • Where your water comes from
  • What your water is tested/treated for
  • How the water system is maintained
  • How you as a resident can help to protect and conserve this essential resource

This report is posted inside the Village Hall, or you can also click on the link below:

2023 CCR – Barton Hills Village – Washtenaw County | Michigan

 

GUARDRAIL WORK    On Monday December 16, 2024 contractors will be working on the guardrails in these areas:

–Barton North near Underdown

–Oakdale Road

–Corner of Barton Shore/Spring Valley

Please remember to slow down and be cautious around the construction crew.

 

WATER BILLS        Water bills have been sent out for the billing cycle from November 1, 2023 to October 31, 2024. Reminder that bills reflect the November 2023 rate increase from $5.99/CCF to $7.99/CCF. For reference, there are 748 gallons per CCF.

SNOW PLOWING     BHV is contracted by the BHMC to plow the snow from residents’ driveways under the following circumstances:

 

  • The snow event is over; and,
  • Roads within Village limits have been cleared and made safe for vehicles; and,
  • At least 3” or more of snow covering the majority of all residents’ driveways.

 

Once the roads are cleared and safe for vehicle use, Village staff will work as quickly as is safely possible to plow residents’ driveways.  We ask for your understanding and patience during these times.  The staff works very hard on snow removal, frequently without sleep for long stretches of time, and we appreciate residents’ courtesy and support.

 

If your driveway is impeded (downed trees, electrical wires, vehicles in the way, etc.), your driveway will not be plowed.  There also needs to be a space to put the snow, so if that area is blocked, they will not be able to plow your driveway or possibly a portion of the driveway until it is cleared.  Once you’ve corrected the impediment, the Village crew will attempt to plow your drive on the next available workday.

 

If you find that the driveway plowing service is not aligned with your needs, we encourage you to hire a company that can better suit your situation.

 

BHV WATER USAGE RATE INCREASE    At its November 18th meeting, the Village Board of Trustees voted to raise the water usage rate from $7.99 to $8.90 per CCF effective November 1, 2024.  The water increase notice was published in Barton Bulletin No. 17 on November 8, 2024, which was sent to all residents and is also published on the website (bartonhillsvillage.org).

 

EFFECTIVE EARLY 2025     Homeowners and others billed by the Village will be able to choose to pay their invoices via check or credit card.  Any fee charged by a credit card processing company will be paid by the payee.  Payment options and instructions will be printed on the invoice.

 

EFFECTIVE April 1, 2025     BHV will bill homeowners for water usage quarterly on a calendar year basis: that is, for the periods ending March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31.  Also, effective the same date, homeowners’ annual minimum usage fee of $120 will be amended to a quarterly minimum usage fee of $30.

 

CONGRATULATIONS TO LAUREN REEVES      In her new role as Village Zoning Administrator effective November 1.  These duties are in addition to her current role as Assistant Treasurer.  The Trustees join in a “thank you” to Village resident Dennis Capozza, who most-recently served as ZA.  All zoning ordinances are published on the Village website, and it’s very important that homeowners understand requirements before signing contracts or commencing work.  In addition to Village zoning ordinances, Ann Arbor Township also has zoning ordinances that must be followed.  Please contact Lauren in the Village office with any questions.

 

WELCOME TO OUR FIVE TRUSTEES ELECTED NOVEMBER 5TH

 Brooke Calabrese, Dennis Capozza, Richard Prager, Carla Smith, and Alicia Torres.  Trustees serve four-year terms, which means this fivesome will serve from 2024-28.  Four Trustees – Marcus Darden, Mostafa Haitam, Bob Hensinger, and Randy Perry – have two years remaining in their terms, ending 2026.  Village Trustees are here to serve our community and its constituents.  Please contact a Trustee with questions, concerns, ideas, or interest in getting involved.  Trustee contact information is included in the Village Directory, or by asking Village office staff.

 

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEW TRUSTEE OFFICERS      At its November 18th meeting, the Trustees elected Alicia Torres, President; Marcus Darden, President Pro Tem;

and, Bob Hensinger, Clerk. Officers serve one-year terms.

 

DEER MANAGEMENT     Consent forms will be emailed to all residents soon. Please return your signed consent form for the Deer Management program as soon as possible.

 

CORRUGATED CARDBOARD DROPOFF   Thank you to those that drop off their corrugated cardboard at the maintenance shop, it helps us out greatly. The drop off location is the space located in the open bay near our vehicle parking, it is no longer in the salt shed.

 

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

  • Christmas Eve – Tuesday December 24, 2024
  • Christmas Day – Wednesday December 25, 2024
  • New Year’s Eve – Tuesday December 31, 2024
  • New Year’s Day – Wednesday January 1, 2025

The Village Hall offices will be closed those days, and the staff will be available for emergency services only.  For after-hours Village emergencies, please call (734) 263-7020.

 

Trash Collection Dates for January 2025 will be January 6 and Tuesday January 21.

 

Warm holiday wishes from all the BHV staff:

Superintendent – Derek Reeves

Deputy Clerk – Theresa McDevitt

Maintenance Crew:  Joe Hnatow and Tanner Keilman

Assistant Treasurer/Zoning Administrator – Lauren Reeves
(all c/o Walter Esch Hall, 199 Barton Shore Dr)