Village Council Votes Down Funding Dexter Township Outdoor Siren

A request to help fund one of Dexter Township's outdoor warning sirens was voted down by the Dexter Village Council on Monday.

The council voted 3-3, with Trustee Jim Smith absent, against funding 25 percent of the total cost of a siren the township purchased and will install near Wylie and Island Lake roads.

In the event a vote by the board is tied, Robert's Rules of Order dictate that the motion is defeated.

According to information provided to the board, the siren costs $24,000 not including preventive maintenance, which will be funded by Dexter Township.

The siren's coverage overlaps with the village's two sirens at Dexter-Ann Arbor Road and Dan Hoey Road.

Village Manager Donna Dettling proposed that the village commit $6,000 to the siren's purchase to help enhance coverage near the Cedars of Dexter.

"I didn't see any reason to vote for the proposal," trustee Jim Carson said after the meeting. "We already have coverage in that area, so we would be duplicating our efforts."

Trustee Donna Fisher agreed, stating that she would have liked more time to meet with the township.

"The sirens in the village do a good job. If someone had invited us to sit down at the table to talk about the siren, I might have had a different opinion. I didn't feel like there was much negotiation," she said.

Dexter Township Clerk Harley Rider said he was disappointed with the vote.

"I'm a little disappointed that they aren't going to help contribute, but the locations of the sirens are firm, and the village will just get a free service from the township," he said. "At any time they wish to contribute, we are accepting any and all donations to help fund our outdoor warning system."

The township will install 16 sirens at a cost of $370,000. The project is being paid for through the township's fund balance.

Rider said citizens who contribute to the cost of the sirens will have their names included on a plaque inside the township hall.