Brandon Twp.-More than 30 years ago, a plan for a senior housing complex in the community was born.
However, the plan floundered with a lack of infrastructure to support such a facility. The defeat of a sewer proposal last fall led to the final nail in the coffin for the Ortonville Area Senior Housing Association, but the birth of something new at the township board’s Feb. 1 meeting.
The board unanimously approved a motion to transfer funds collected by the Ortonville Area Senior Housing Association to a newly created ‘Senior Care Helping Hand Fund? to be administered by Karyn Milligan, Christian Services Coordinator for St. Anne Church and Ortonville Community Emergency Fund (OCEF) food pantry director.
‘The township gave us a portion of the money in 1984,? said Bob McArthur, former fire chief and village resident. ‘We have a blueprint and were looking to provide a development for senior housing. But the sewer project beat us up pretty good and it’s not going anyplace.?
The Ortonville Area Senior Housing Association was formed as a corporation with McArthur joined by former township trustee Tom Stowell, who was chairman. Other members included Anna Domzalski, Marilyn Featherston, Stanley Sutton, Louis Williams, Lois Thibault, Leroy Hartman and Patty Phillips. The purpose of the corporation, said McArthur in a letter to the board, was to research the feasibility of constructing a senior housing complex in Ortonville and to raise funds for the acquisition of property, architectural, engineering and legal fees, administration, and other necessary aspects, as well as to apply for grant and loan programs.
In his letter, McArthur said few records exist regarding the corporation, but beginning funding had a $9,000 contribution from Brandon Township; $2,000 from the Village of Ortonville; $3,500 from Groveland Township; and a $50 contribution from an unknown donor.
Grant applications were made and money was spent, but there is no existing documentation. McArthur was made treasurer around 1990 and the corporation automatically dissolved in 1994. The money was kept in an account in TCF bank with the hopes that a sewer system would become available. The money in that account was $15,508.91 in 1995 and has now grown to $21,666.88. To ensure the account was properly protected and there was a second name on the account, McArthur requested village resident and former township employee Mary Kassuba co-sign. She agreed.
‘Since there is a lack of interest in having sewers in our community, Mary and I determined it would be best if the funds were used for senior citizens in need,? wrote McArthur in his letter, adding that he met with Milligan as well as the St. Anne Church financial administrator to determine the feasibility of such a plan and protocol to ensure applicants for assistance are actually in need and area residents.
‘With the vote on sewers, waiting around and hoping to do something with it is fruitless,? said McArthur. ‘We thought, ‘Where can we take the money and do the most good???
The board agreed the creation of the Senior Care Helping Hand Fund would be the best option. The mission of this new fund will be to provide financial assistance for senior citizens 65 and up with rent, mortgage, utilities, medication, medical bills, home improvements and other services as determined by the St. Anne Church Christian services coordinator. The program administrator shall have broad discretionary power in determining need and eligibility.
McArthur also plans to take his proposal to the Groveland Township Board and the Ortonville Village Council. The fund will remain in existence only until the money from the former housing association fund is exhausted, although McArthur expects it will help needy senior citizens with their utility bills and other items for awhile. When the fund has dried up, seniors needing assistance will be directed back to the Care and Share Fund.