HAZARDOUS TREES Dead/dying trees are a safety hazard, especially when the trees may fall onto the roads or power lines. DTE Energy is currently working on tree maintenance in Barton Hills Village. They may leave a tag on your door or stop to talk to you about their work.
BHV is also working to address trees that pose a hazard along the roadways and intersections. Along with trees in the road right-of-way, there may be trees farther back that could land in the road if they fell. Supt. Jeff Hnatow asks that residents who have any concerns about trees please contact him (734-368-7896 cell or 734-222-5209 office; bhvclerk@bartonhillsvillage.org). He would like to see the trees that are of concern and work with the residents to identify options.
BHV supports community-wide efforts to prevent hazardous events through diligent maintenance, and provide a safe environment for everyone.
BOARD CANDIDATES The following six candidates are running for four open seats on the BHV Board of Trustees at the November 6, 2018 election.
LINDA R. BENSON (Incumbent) – 505 Barton North Drive. I have come to know many of you over the past 39 years I have lived in Barton Hills Village with my husband, Ronald. I have raised my three children here while working as a freelance writer for national and local publications and teaching writing at Eastern Michigan University, Schoolcraft College, and most recently at Wayne State University for 18 years. As chair of the recreation committee, I believe my work on the board has contributed significantly to create a unique sense of community within our Village.
For example, in my capacity as recreation chair one of my responsibilities has been the Halloween Hayride. In 2012, Walter Esch announced that he was retiring the tractor and hay wagon that he drove to escort trick-or treaters around the Village every Halloween. When this valued tradition was threated I found a way to continue it and bring it up to modern standards of safety and fun for our expanding population of young families and children . We contracted with Tecumseh Trolley Company, licensed and bonded by the State of Michigan, to transport our kids along the dark, winding roads. Our Village community has played an important role in the success of this event as many residents have worked with me over the past six years to coordinate the route, the houses and the chaperones. It has now grown to fill two trolleys and include a pizza party beforehand, creating an activity that is unique, spirited and safe for our
youngest citizens.
Our committee has also made sure that the Fall picnic takes place EVERY year, creating an opportunity for long-time residents to come together with newcomers and celebrate changes in the Village. The 2018 picnic included the dedication of Esch Hall and formally introduced Jeff Hnatow, our Village Superintendent, and his crew. It was attended by 123 people.
I am running for another four year term because there are still issues that I wish to address. One is the increasing economic demands of our aging water system. To address another concern of mine I am part of a new subcommittee studying the safety hazards posed by dangerous trees and overgrown vegetation in the village. The natural beauty that surrounds us here in the Village needs to be balanced with our needs of community and safety. We have much to be proud of in our Village. I believe we can build on our sense of community and still maintain the quality-of-life we all value.
ROBERT HENSINGER – 261 Corrie Road. I have lived in Barton Hills Village on Corrie Road since 1986. My wife Barbara and I greatly enjoy living in the Village. The people and the ambience suits us perfectly and I would very much like to sustain the atmosphere that is characteristic of this area – an environment that all Village residents value. I feel strongly that we need to promptly resolve the road issues that have been the focus of much discussion and legal advice.
The Board of Trustees has a fiduciary responsibility to address the issues associated with an aging water system with iron pipes that were installed, in some areas, when the Village was first established. It is time to be proactive and develop a comprehensive action plan to modernize the system and a time table for its implementation. Paramount for me are efforts to work collaboratively with the city of Ann Arbor to reverse the decline of the water quality of Barton Pond. This is a complex issue that affects not only what we see and how we are able to enjoy the waterway, but also the Pond is the primary source of drinking water for the Ann Arbor residents.
I am a Pediatric Orthopaedist. I completed my undergraduate, medical school and orthopaedic residency at the University of Michigan. I was appointed to the surgical faculty in 1974 and became a full Professor 1981. I was Section Head and Chairman of the Department of Orthopaedics and retired from active practice in 2016. Barbara and I have a combined five adult children, none of whom live in Ann Arbor. We plan to spend our retirement years in our home in the Village. We enjoy Ann Arbor and love living in the Village. It is a special place and I want to keep it that wa
CHERYL MACKRELL (Incumbent) – 120 Underdown Road. Long experience as a BHV Trustee and results achieved along with my can-do perseverance are key. Having taught (French and English as a second Language at Pioneer High) one develops ways of helping people work productively together on plans and projects, and becomes adept at finding solutions to problems or disagreements that give parties as much of what they need as possible. Fairly considering all positions is crucial here. Another important process is doing necessary research and making appropriate contacts to fully define issues and choices. These skills have been very useful in everything from setting up the Village’s recycling program back in 1988-9 to helping keep our M-14 ramp open (in a very long process from 1999 to 2006), to resisting several large development projects that would have severely impacted our aquifers and traffic situation, as well as other initiatives.
Having been on the Board for 23-24 years now, and as there will be at most 4 of us left with much Board experience and long residence in the Village (31 years), I feel it important to have some long-serving members with this history and understanding as well as welcoming newer ones. Recently we were able to get an agreement with the Attorney General and the Governor for an ideal plan to have the Village continue to own and maintain the roads much as we have before, while keeping them private. Credit and thanks go to Pres. Will Boddie and our attorneys. Now we are in the early stages of information-gathering in order to share with residents the most important needs and suggestions for safety and “enjoying the benefits of the village” in many areas including: road safety, fire danger, home and car security, water issues, history and tradition, etc. We will welcome help from volunteer residents who might enjoy being involved and/or making suggestions for info you would like to have. As the former BHV representative to WATS, I currently represent BHV on the Huron River Watershed Council and will be working to get the City, which owns Barton Pond, to implement measures to reduce pollution along with algae and seaweed growth. I appreciate your support in the past and hope to continue to serve in the future.
MICHAEL RICHARDS – 655 Spring Valley Road. I am a retired dentist who has resided in Barton Hills Village for 45 years. I previously served as a Village Trustee for 10+ years. We have a unique Village that we wish to maintain as a unique Village. I believe in maintaining our infrastructure, but never wasteful spending. Our taxes are high enough. We are fortunate to live in a Village that has few dividing issues and I hope that continues. As a Trustee, I will serve with preserving our Village a priority.
GREGORY SALDANA – 715 Spring Valley Road. I am a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Bachelor of Architecture. I also hold a Master of Science in Historic Preservation from University of Pennsylvania and have 35 years of experience in the field of architecture. This experience will add a new dimension to the Village Board.
My campaign platform is based on the following:
Private Roads – We need to clear up the confusion about the status of our roads and confirm that they will remain private.
Safe and Secure Community — Families need to feel that they and their homes are secure. There have been home break-ins in recent years and as recently as this past summer. This is not
acceptable. We need to work together to ensure our safety and security.
Greater Transparency – Barton Hills homeowners have busy lives. You should not have to attend Trustees’ meetings to know what the Board is doing. I believe that the complete minutes
of Board meetings should be circulated promptly to Village homeowners after every meeting.
Fiscal Prudence – We have all seen a 20% increase in our property taxes this year, from 10 mills to 12 mills. How are our tax dollars being spent? I will work to assure that your money is
spent in a way that delivers value to you.
Preserving our Heritage – Being trained as an architect, I have great appreciation for the work of the renowned Olmsted Brothers firm in laying out the plans for our community nearly a
century ago. This heritage is highlighted on the Village website. If we do not pay attention to preserving this asset, it will be lost.
MATT TURNER – 855 Oakdale Road. I have lived in Barton Hills since 2012 with my wife Jackie, 6 year old son, and 4 year old daughter. I grew up in Ann Arbor and graduated Pioneer High School in 1990. I completed my B.A. in Economics from the University of Michigan in 1995. I spent 10 years living overseas working in automotive engineering and racing. I completed both my MBA and MA Finance in Europe before returning to the US to work in Venture Capital and Private Equity Finance. I look forward to working collectively with other board members, neighbors and stakeholders to support the needs of our community.