Everyone is feeling the impacts of the ailing economy in Michigan and local government is no exception. Falling revenues, rising operational costs and new mandates from State and Federal government create a tremendously challenging environment for leaders in townships, cities and counties to maintain and plan for public service systems. Township administration believes .... more
Recently, the Bath Charter Township Board of Trustees adopted the 2009 International Fire Code as a means to bring the community into compliance with State of Michigan burning regulations. Earlier this year, the Township changed the duration of burning permits to three days from the tradtional seven day issuance. The three day burning permit duration is a rule by the State governing communities with a popluation in excess of 7,500. The latest changes to the burning ordinance itself further bring Bath Township into the state's guidelines. There are two significant changes in the new ordinance:
1. Effective immediately, there is a prohibition on burning barrels in all zoning districts except in the Rural District. Properties with burning barrels in existance at the time of the new ordinance taking effect are grandfathered. The Township is requiring that all existing burning barrels be registered with the Fire Department. Please call 517-641-7811 for further information on the registration process.
2. Effective immediately, a ban on open burning and domestic fires (burning barrels) is in place from May 1st through September 30th in all zoning districts except parcels in excess of two acres in the Rural District. Burning restrictions will be enforced during this timeframe each year.
- Persons interested in obtaining a burning barrel permit can do so by clicking on the link: Burning Barrel Permit Application
The process for obtaining a permit remains the same. All persons interested in obtaining a burning permit must fill out an application. If all ordinance conditions are met, permits will be issued for three years. Recreational Fire Pits will be inspected for compliance with Township Regulations. Open Burning Permits will be issued for three days upon request by the applicant(s) listed on the annual application submitted to the Township Offices.
- Persons interested in obtaining a recreational burning permit can do so by clicking on the link: Recreational Burning Permit Application
- Persons interested in obtaining an open burning permit can do so by clicking on the link: Open Burning Permit Application
- Persons interested in reviewing the complete ordinance can do so by clicking on the link: 2009 Burning Ordinance
2010 Budget Approved
At a regular meeting on October 19, 2009 the Board of Trustees approved the General Fund & Special Revenue Fund budgets for fiscal year 2010 (January 1st through December 31st). While the Board of Trustees approved a line-item budget, administration is working on a performance-based budget format predicated upon defining expenditures around specific services provided to the community. The line-item budget can be found by clicking on the link: FY 2010 Budget . The performance-based budget will be presented to the community at the initial "Community Conversation" meeting to be held on December 5th at 9:00 a.m. in the Senior Center.
