Sgt. Bill Darnell Honored

On August 4th, the DeWitt Township Police Department was visited by the “Beyond the Call of Duty—End of Watch Ride” motorcycle group who stopped by to honor the late Sgt. Bill Darnell. Sgt. Darnell, who died on November 4, 2020 as the result of complications after contracting COVID-19 was thanked by this group for his years of service to the residents of DeWitt Township. The “End of Watch Ride” is a 17,000-mile ride across America to honor the men and women of law enforcement who paid the ultimate price in serving their communities. Not only does this group honor the fallen, they also honor the families–husbands and wives, sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters–along with the officers left behind to pick up the pieces. This year the “End of Watch Ride” stopped at 169 different law enforcement agencies over an 83-day ride and honored 369 police officers that who were died in 2020.

Protect Your Home

Don’t let electrical cords create a danger in your house! Overloaded receptacle outlets and undersized electrical extension cords can cause a fire or electrocution danger.

Use Electrical Cords Safely:

Never overload electrical cords or power strips. Electrical cords and power strips have a designated load capacity. Be sure the total amount of energy used by appliances and lights plugged into the cord or strip does not exceed that capacity.
Use only listed power strips that have integral overload protection and have been tested by a product safety laboratory.
Don’t use appliances that have damaged cords.
Extension cords should not be used as a substitute for permanently wired receptacle outlets.

Electrical cords must be the proper wire size for the load they serve. Overloaded cords will become hot and can start a fire. Avoid permanent use of extension cords. Appliance cords and extension cords are susceptible to physical damage from foot traffic, furniture, house pets, swinging doors and many other causes, so protect them from damage. Contact your local Building Department for more information.

Community Development Updates

DeWitt Township has adopted various amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and continues to see significant development activity. Below is a list of all recent items that have been approved by the Township:

Zoning Ordinance Amendments:

Ordinance 21-1 – Industrial Building Height - Increased the maximum building height in Industrial Zoning Districts from 36’ to 45’.
Ordinance 21-2 – Outdoor Storage of Recreational Vehicles and Outdoor Dining - To permit outdoor storage of personal recreational vehicles in the Light Industrial (IL) and Community Business (BC), subject to certain design and performance standards. To permit outdoor dining uses as a use permitted under special conditions.

Site Plans and Special Use Permits:

Culver’s Site Plan – Approved for a drive-thru restaurant located on Herbison Road just west of the PNC Bank.
Consumers Energy – Natural gas facility upgrades at 13603 Turner Road.

Subdivisions and Condominiums:

Thomas Farms Tentative Preliminary Plat – First phase of 34 single-family residential lots located south of Clark Road, east of Myers Road, and north of Solon Road.
Thomas Farms Step I Preliminary Site Condominium Review - 108 attached and detached condominium units located south of Clark Road, east of Myers Road, and north of Solon Road.

Assessing News

During the fall months, the Assessing Department will be more visible in the field, as we conduct regular physical inspections of properties. It is important that we are able to keep our property records as accurate as possible, and physical inspections are the best way to do so. Our goal is not to increase taxes, but rather to make sure we are accurately assessing each property. This can involve simply taking photos to update records, or may be a more involved measurement and inspection of the property. We will knock on the door and introduce ourselves before walking around on the property if we are conducting an inspection. The Assessing Office will have proper identification at all times when visiting properties.

Gunnisonville and Hurd Cemetery News

The two Township cemeteries are serviced by the Clerk’s Office and our Maintenance Department. Should you wish to purchase a cemetery lot or have inquires about our cemeteries we are happy to assist you. Planning for headstone foundations is currently underway. The foundations are installed twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. The deadline for ordering a foundation placement for this fall is September 30.

Questions about adornment and plantings near a monument are frequently asked. Those questions and more can be found in the Cemetery Rules and Regulations. A complete copy of our rules and regulations can be found here.

Meet Our Staff: Kelli Furgason

Kelli Furgason joined the Community Development Department’s team as an Administrative Assistant II in July 2021. She comes to the Township after a 25-year career in the Travel and Tourism Industry. During that time, she worked in many areas including individual and group sales, accounting, office management, tour operations, and business development. When the company she spent the past 13 years with closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Kelli decided it was time to explore a new career path. Her extensive office and customer service experience, along with her desire to learn new things, led her to the Township. In her spare time, Kelli serves as the Bookkeeper and Community Coordinator for her church and enjoys reading, baking, running, and traveling with her husband - especially their annual trip to Walt Disney World.

Summer Tax Deferment

2021 real and personal property taxes are due September 14, 2021.

Qualifying residents may be eligible to defer payment of summer taxes. Tax deferments are available to residents with a total annual household income of less than $40,000 and who meet one of the following eligibility requirements.

62 years or older person
Paraplegic, hemiplegic, or quadriplegic person
Eligible service person, eligible veteran, eligible widow or widower
Blind person
Totally and permanently disabled person

This deferment is for a homeowner's principal residence only. Form 471-Application for Deferment of Summer Taxes can be requested from the Treasurer’s Office or downloaded from the Township’s website. Residents can file the form as an intent to defer on or before September 14, 2021.

Upcoming Property Tax Due Date:

Real and personal property taxes are due on Monday, September 14, 2021. This is the last day to pay summer taxes without interest or penalty. After this date, an interest charge of 1% will be added per calendar month. As an important reminder, failure to receive a tax bill does not relieve the responsibility for payment, nor constitutes cause for cancellation of interest and penalty if the tax becomes delinquent. Tax bill records are available online at dewitttownship.org.

The Treasurer’s Office remains open during regular office hours to serve residents and accept payments. For convenience, the following service options are also available:

Drive-up drop box (located in front of the Township Hall)
USPS mail (please allow at least one week lead time)
Online payments at dewitttownship.org (*fees applies)

Important Upcoming Dates

9/3 – ACH Autopay processed for enrolled tax payers
9/6 – Township offices closed in observance of Labor Day
9/14 – Summer real and personal property taxes due
9/14 – Deadline to submit Form 471-Application to Defer Summer Taxes
9/15 – Quarterly sewer bills sent covering October, November, December services
10/11 – ACH Autopay processed for enrolled sewer accounts
10/15 – Quarterly sewer bills due

E-News August 2021