Brandon Twp.- The bulk of nearly $34,000 in grant funds will be funneled to bathroom remodeling and other services at the Edna Burton Senior Center. Other beneficiaries include the Ortonville Community Emergency Fund and Brandon Groveland Youth Assistance.
The township board approved by a 6-0 vote the allocation of $33,781 in Community Development Block Grant funds during their Jan. 9 meeting. Trustee Bill DeWitt was absent.
‘CDBG is a huge benefit to this community and we are very appreciative we’re allowed this opportunity,? said Clerk Candee Allen, who presented the resolution to the board. ‘These are federal tax dollars coming back to our community, so it’s all awesome.?
Last month, the board held a public hearing regarding CDBG, in which organizations request consideration for the funds. HAVEN, a non-profit organization in Oakland County that provides resources to those who have been in domestic violence and assault situations, requested funds, as did the Ortonville Community Historical Society, but neither were accepted this year.
Allen explained that Oakland County only allows up to four projects per community per year, with each project receiving a minimum of $2,500. For 2014, the township is designating $4,000 for emergency services (OCEF); $3,000 for youth services (BGYA) and $3,031 for senior services? which will be used for the senior center’s newsletter, as well as support for extra bus runs and the senior center coordinator’s salary.
The final, largest designation is $23,750 for public facilities and improvements, to be used for the bathroom remodeling at the Edna Burton Senior Center. Work is expected to begin this year, once approved by Oakland County.
Allen said OCHS will be considered as a CDBG applicant next year, for improvements to the Old Mill Museum. An electrician needs to be hired so it can be determined what work needs to be done and the cost for the CDBG application to be complete.