By Matt Mackinder
Clarkston News Editor

INDEPENDENCE TWP — Since Jose Aliaga took office as Independence Township supervisor last November, change has come to the township one new project at a time.
Earlier this year, a four-day work week pilot program was implemented for township employees, while progress has been made on refurbishing township parks.
Aliaga also noted that a new logo for the township is in the works, as is signage for the parks that will incorporate this new logo.
Take into account that Brady Lodge, inside Bay Court Park, now has a new roof and heating and cooling system and Aliaga says change can be a good thing.
“The Township Board of Trustees adopted the four-day work week pilot which began in June,” Aliaga said. “This has allowed us to be a competitive employer and attract high-quality talent to the township while at the same time, expanding daily hours for our residents. We have seen increased traffic at Township Hall beginning at 7 a.m. as people can stop on their way to work and contractors can pick up permits on the way to the job site. We have been able to continue our excellent customer service with this model and township employees are still working 40 hours a week.
“As a reminder Township Hall is open 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The Senior Community Center continues to operate five days a week, and police and fire services are available 24/7 as always.”
In looking at Brady Lodge, Aliaga said the township was initially told to plan for a cumbersome amount to fix up the inside and roof and add a heating and cooling component before grants were awarded and local businesses stepped up to help and ultimately, the cost was reduced.
“Brady Lodge has been a wonderful expansion to our parks and recreation options in the township,” said Aliaga. “Having this indoor facility that can be used year-round offers a great option to residents looking to host events locally for an affordable price.”
Over the years, some township residents have continuously referred to themselves as Clarkston residents, and vice verse, which technically is incorrect.
Aliaga said he is hoping a new logo and township identity will help ease those errors from residents, who have been known to go to Township Hall to do business, only to realize they live in the City of the Village of Clarkston, and call City Hall with a question only to be told they are really an Independence Township resident.
Getting a new township logo is an idea that has come up a few times over the past 10-11 years.
“Rebranding the township is an important initiative,” said Aliaga. “This effort will help Independence Township have a real identity at a time when we are competing with neighboring communities for businesses and residents. We also have created a new Facebook page (Facebook.com/IndTwp) for general township updates.”
This past spring and summer, work was started to fix up Sashabaw Plains Park, with more to come. Once the new logo is approved, Aliaga’s goal is to have new signage in all township parks with the new logo along with signs on township borders indicating you have entered the township. The current township logo is a bell.
“As supervisor, I have worked to make sure our parks are a priority,” Aliaga said. “I am in the parks nearly every day making sure they are to the standards our residents expect. Our staff has worked hard to revitalize Sashabaw Plains Park and we are in the middle of construction on a new playground at Bay Court Park. Having these amenities is vital for our township to be somewhere people want to live.”
Another initiative Aliaga has ran with since he took office was a Downtown Development Authority (DDA) along Dixie Highway and White Lake Road. A new DDA board has been formed and meetings have started to take place.
“Setting up the long dormant DDA again will allow us to focus on the Dixie Highway and White Lake Road corridor,” Aliaga said. “We have been focused on Sashabaw Road, but it is time to also turn some attention on to other areas.”
Keeping busy, Aliaga said more projects are upcoming to renovate Fire Station No. 1 on Citation Drive and the Department of Public Works headquarters.
“We are in the process of developing blueprints for an update to the main fire station on Citation Drive,” said Aliaga. “These improvements will bring the station up to current standards and will consider future growth and needs of the township. Over at the DPW building, we secured $5.4 million in grants for new water mains, and we are installing a new fuel depot for township vehicles which will be installed next spring.”
And as the one-year anniversary of becoming township supervisor comes up in November, Aliaga said the support of township residents and employees helps him move forward every day with positive change.
“I am proud of the work we have done in the last year,” said Aliaga. “This is just the beginning, and I look forward to continuing the work with the township staff, residents, and businesses.”
The next Independence Township Board of Trustees regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 10 at 6 p.m. from Independence Township Hall, located at 6483 Waldon Center Drive.

PHOTO: Independence Township department directors meet last Thursday, Sept. 14, at Township Hall. Photo: Laura Haynes/Independence Township