STAFF VACATIONS 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.
ESCH FOOD DRIVE The David Esch family extends their deepest thanks to all who participated in their recent Scouting For Food drive in honor of their son Tim, an Eagle Scout who died in an auto accident at age 18 in 2005. There were at least a couple of donors who left items but didn’t sign the book, and the Eschs want to thank them. Total food/cash donations were sent to Food Gatherers and will provide over 15,000 meals in Washtenaw County.
RECYCLING REMINDERS
–Please remember to rinse out containers and remove lids before putting them in the green recycling bin to prevent odors and insect attraction. Do not put items in plastic bags in the bin.
–Please do not put corrugated cardboard in the green bin. Instead of paying to have cardboard hauled away, BHV bales it for direct sale. Put cardboard by the building next to the salt shed where the BHV staff will take care of it.
CLEAN UP DAY The Washtenaw County Solid Waste Division and community partners aresponsoring an Environmental Clean-Up Day for Washtenaw County residents on Saturday, June 14, 2014, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at Northfield Township Hall, 8350 Main Street, Whitmore Lake. The event provides an opportunity for residents to dispose of many unwanted household items in a safe and sustainable manner. Items that can be brought include traditional recyclable materials (plastics, glass, aluminum, cardboard, paper), scrap metal, household hazardous wastes, furniture, yard waste, electronic equipment/small appliances and sharps (diabetic needles, etc.). Residents may bring up to four tires for free; a $5 donation is suggested for each additional tire. Residents can also bring one television, Freon-containing appliance or computer, with a $10 suggested donation for each additional item. The event is free, but there is a suggested $10 donation per car to help decrease disposal costs and to help maintain this community collection. Residential use only – please, no businesses. For more information, visit http://recycle.ewashtenaw.org or phone Washtenaw County Solid Waste at 734-222-3827.
DON’T FLUSH DRUGS Increasing amounts of prescription drugs and personal care products are being detected in waterways and drinking water supplies. To reduce the risk to people and the environment, please do not dispose of these items down the sink or toilet. Washtenaw County website www.dontflushdrugs.com includes a list of area participating pharmacies that will accept drugs for disposal as well as other helpful information for the safe handling and disposal of pharmaceuticals (also phone Washtenaw County Solid Waste at 734-222-3827 or BHV Clerk’s Office at 734-222-5209 for this information).
CLICK IT OR TICKET Click it or Ticket is an ongoing National Campaign to get drivers and passengers to buckle their seatbelts when driving. Michigan Law requires all drivers and passengers 15 years and younger in any seat position to be buckled. Children less than 8 years old or less than 4 feet 9 inches tall must be in a child car seat or booster seat . From May 19 through June 1 you will see high visibility check points throughout the state and tickets will be written. In 2010 seatbelts saved an estimated 12,546 lives nationally. Don’t become a statistic. For more information visit www.safercar.gov. For a copy of the child car seat basics brochure, contact the BHV Clerk’s Office.
LAWN AND GARDEN CARE (contact the BHV Clerk’s office for more details)
–Michigan law requires use of phosphorus free lawn fertilizer except in specific cases so look for fertilizers with a middle number of 0 (first number is nitrogen, second is phosphorus, third is potassium). Excess phosphorus in the waterways contributes to excessive aquatic plant grown, nuisance algal blooms and decreased oxygen levels.
–For healthy lawns, mow high to promote root growth (3” is recommended). Water sparingly, as overwatering promotes plant damage, fungal growth and nutrient leaching (sprinklers should not be on in the rain!) Automatic sprinklers need a moisture detection element. Also consider deep-rooted native plants, more shrubs/flowers instead of grass, rain barrels and rain gardens.
–Check out natural insect control products. Washtenaw Conservation District offers a liquid that can be applied to plants/shrubs to provide an effective barrier against mosquitos, ticks, fleas, gnats and black flies while being safe for people and pets. Phone 734-761-6721 or visit www.washtenawcd.org/ps/other.php.
BICYCLE MAPS A variety of bicycle trail maps are now available for purchase on line at www.michigan.gov/mdot. Select roads and travel, then bicycling.
PHOTO REQUEST Ann Arbor Township is looking for high quality digital photos for their website; in particular sites and scenes unique to the area. Contact Clerk Rena Basch at basch@aatwp.org for more information .
LOOKING AHEAD Barton Hills Country Club will be holding their annual member celebration of Independence Day with fireworks on Friday, June 27, 2014. 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 as well as being considerate of sleeping neighbors.