WATER CONSUMER CONFIDENCE REPORT The attached annual report for calendar year 2016 is published in compliance (to view see Reports tab) with the Safe Drinking Water Act and summarizes the status of the BHV water system during the last calendar year. Please read it carefully and contact the numbers given for questions or concerns.
WATER MAIN PROJECT Installation of the new water main along Barton Shore Drive is on track towards anticipated completion in early July. Thank you for your cooperation in avoiding travel in that area. More frequent flushing of the water system may cause temporary water discoloration but shouldn’t create any significant disturbance. Please contact the Clerk’s Office if you experience any unusual difficulties.
TICKS/LYME DISEASE Information about ticks from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (attached to the last Barton Bulletin No. XLIII No. 4) mentioned the use of the repellant permethrin. A resident responded that this substance can be toxic to cats and dogs, referencing an online site at http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1677&aid=2252.
HOLIDAY NEWS Barton Hills Country Club will be holding their annual member celebration of Independence Day with fireworks on Friday, June 23, 2017. Families with dogs and young children who might be upset by the noise should make appropriate arrangements. Residents are also advised to use extreme caution when setting off any legal fireworks, taking great care to prevent fires, injury or damage.
VACATION SCHEDULE Notice will be posted on the door of the Village Hall when there are variations in office hours due to staff vacations. Contact information is also kept up to date on the Village Hall phone message available any time at 734-222-5209.
Grow A Healthy Lawn
hrwc.org/take-action/at-home/lawn-garden
A beautiful, well maintained lawn enhances your property value and provides a place for recreation and relaxation. But you may be making more work of your yard than is necessary. A few simple changes in your lawn care practices can save you time and money, while improving the quality of your lawn and protecting water resources.
MOW HIGH The roots of your lawn grow as deep as the grass grows tall, so taller grass has deeper, healthier roots. Keep your lawn three inches or higher, and never cut off more than 1/3 of the blade each time you mow. Leave the clippings right on your lawn for a natural fertilizer rich in nutrients and organic matter.
WATER SPARINGLY Over-watering can damage plants, stimulate fungus, and leach nutrients out of the soil. Train roots to go down deep into the soil by watering about 1” per week. Deeper roots produce healthier grass that shades out weeds. You’ll also be conserving water resources which is especially important during hot, dry weather.
PUT RAINWATER TO WORK Border your lawn with deep-rooted flowers and shrubs to prevent water runoff. Direct down spouts into garden areas, or install rain barrels to collect rainwater for later use.
LANDSCAPE WITH NATIVE PLANTS Native plants are naturally suited to our weather and soil conditions. They have deep, thirsty roots that help retain water on your site and filter out the pollutants in runoff. Native plants are drought tolerant, disease resistant, rarely require fertilizers and improve soil conditions.
MULCH GRASS CLIPPINGS AND LEAVES Clippings that are mulched and returned to the lawn all season can contribute up to 25 percent of a lawn’s seasonal fertilizer needs. The additional organic matter in the soil will also help retain moisture.
IF YOU FERTILIZE GO PHOSPHORUS FREE Phosphorus is naturally abundant in our area and when washed into the rivers contributes to excessive aquatic plant growth and nuisance algal blooms. Michigan law prohibits application of phosphorus to residential turf grass. If you use fertilizer, make sure the middle number of the three-number sequence on the package is 0.
Find much more information about healthy lawns, native plants and water resource conservation at the Huron River Watershed Council website: www.hrwc.org.