DTE Energy Donates $2,500 to Dexter Township for Outdoor Warning Sirens

Dexter Township officials received a surprise gift during their regular meeting on Tuesday.

Representatives from DTE Energy presented the township board of trustees a check for $2,500 to help offset the cost of installing 16 outdoor warning sirens in the community.

"DTE is very proud to be part of the Dexter community," Paul Ganz, regional manager said.

Ganz, who has lived in the township for the past 20 years, said he admires the board's decision to move forward with purchasing and installing the sirens at a cost of $370,000.

"When the siren warning system came up, I said 'that's the kind of heads up thinking that has really become a hallmark for this township,'" he said. "The township's response to the (March 15, 2012) tornado was just terrific.

"What you did was textbook quality on how to respond to a disaster, how to get neighbors to behave like neighbors, and to get all the resources together to make things happen."

Installation of the sirens began in December, but the project has since been delayed due to permitting issues with the Washtenaw County Road Commission.

Township Clerk Harley Rider said he and other administration officials recently met with the Road Commission to work out an agreement.

According to information provided by the Road Commission, siren 9 on Island Lake Road, siren 10 on Donnor Road, siren 13 on Waterloo Road, and siren 15 on Island Lake Road do not comply with the commission's required setback regulations.

Rider said Front Line Plus, Inc., based out Minneapolis, is currently seeking a request for waivers from the Road Commission for the location of the sirens. The company is expected to wrap up installation by late February or early March.

"I feel generally good about our conversations with the Road Commission," Rider said.

Plans to test the complete siren system are scheduled for March 2, he said.