Dexter Township Proposes Investment in Outdoor Emergency Warning System

Residents of Dexter Township may soon benefit from an outdoor emergency warning system to better prepare for tornados and other natural disasters in the township.

The Board of Trustees passed a resolution on Tuesday to hold a public hearing at the at 7 p.m. July 17 to discuss purchasing and installing 16 omni-directional electronic sirens from Front Line Plus, Inc. at a cost of $370,940.

"It's a pretty big bill, but based on all the feedback we received from residents in the aftermath of the March 15 tornado, purchasing the warning system is a wise investment," township supervisor Pat Kelly said. "This was recommended based on extensive work from our Public Safety Advisory Committee."

Kelly said currently the township has one warning siren in the area of Portage Lake. The Front Line system will be directly connected to the Washtenaw County Sheriff Emergency Management Division and can be operated by township employees from the township hall.

"Many residents commented in the aftermath of the tornado that it would have been beneficial to have an outdoor warning system available to reach more people in the township," Kelly said.

She said the warning system would be paid for from the general fund as well as funds earmarked for public safety.

"We dedicated $200,000 for tornado clean up and only spent $44,000, so we have some money available to purchase the sirens," she said.

In other action:

• The board accepted the resignation of Patrick Sloan, planning and zoning administrator. "Though we're devastated to see Patrick leave. We knew this day would come," Kelly said. "Patrick tries to help everybody the best he can within the legal limits of the law. We're very sad to see him go."