Be Informed When Emergencies Happen

DeWitt Township residents are able to stay informed to emergencies happening in your area by utilizing what is known as a “Rave Alert” through Clinton County Central Dispatch. A Rave Alert is a free service which allows individuals to sign up for notifications sent from Clinton County authorities. The Rave Alert keeps residents and travelers informed of potentially hazardous situations involving weather, traffic and other emergencies. Signing up for a Rave Alert allows individuals to receive timely and actionable emergency alerts via email, text or voice message on their cell phones and also landlines. The individual can also identify when and how they are alerted and communicated with before, during and after emergencies. This free service is offered by downloading the Smart 911 app on your phone or device or by registering your device on Smart911.com.

Fire Safety

The DeWitt Township Fire Department recently responded to a dryer fire in a residential home. The United States Fire Administration reports approximately 2,900 home clothes dryer fires each year. This results in an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss.

The DeWitt Township incident was due to a pinched vent tube and years of built-up lint. The lint ignited when the dryer was operating.

Actions to take to prevent a dryer fire:

Clean the lint filter before use
Check the vent tube for kinks or pinched areas
Ensure the outdoor vent covering opens while the dryer is operating
Check the vent tube as it may be plugged if drying takes longer than usual

Please contact the Fire Department at 517-669-0071 if you have any questions on fire safety.

Construction Development Update

Through the 2020 Construction season, the Building Department issued:

448 building permits
245 electrical permits
327 mechanical permits
222 plumbing permits

These permit numbers represent $35,019,121 of construction value spent in our community. This is up approximately 5% from 2019 and demonstrates exponential growth in one- and two-family dwellings, multi-family dwellings and in the commercial sectors of the DeWitt and Grand Ledge areas. The DeWitt Township Building Department performs building services for the City of Grand Ledge and the City of DeWitt. This growth and the associated tax base help, among other things, schools, walkways, public safety, (such as police and fire departments) parks and public spaces.

We anticipate the 2021 construction season to be equally active and robust. If you have any questions or would like to discuss any of the numbers in this article, contact the Building Department at 517-668-0278.

2021 Park Season News

Based upon the latest outdoor gathering guidelines issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), the Township has resumed accepting picnic pavilion and field rentals for the 2021 season. Park pavilions are available to rent at Granger Meadows and Valley Farms in four-hour blocks starting at $60 for residents/$80 non-residents. Rental forms are available on the Township’s website, or can be emailed to you.

We ask that those visiting and using our parks monitor the MDHHS guidelines and limits when planning your gatherings. All rentals remain subject to change at the discretion of the Township based on MDHHS orders. Indoor community center rentals remain on hold at this time.

Urban Watershed Areas

In the urban watershed area, storm drains (or catch basins) are designed to carry stormwater away from developed, highly impervious areas to prevent flooding. However, any pollutants on the ground (like motor oil, pet waste, and litter) can be picked up by stormwater runoff and drain into our waterways. This type of pollution is the number one water quality problem in the nation. If you live in the Greater Lansing Region, you live in either the Red Cedar River, Looking Glass River, or Grand River urban watershed. You can help protect water quality by visiting www.MyWatersheds.org for more educational information and a calendar of local water-focused events!

Important Upcoming Dates

4/02/2021: Township Offices closed for Good Friday observance
4/15/2021: Quarterly sewer bills covering April, May and June are due

5/17/2021: State/federal income Tax returns due

5/31/2021: Township Offices closed for Memorial Day holiday