Ovid Township schedules public hearing discussion on tornado siren plans
Ovid Township Supervisor Larry O'Dell's plan for tornado sirens for the township were put on hold until the board can hold a hearing on how the public might want it to spend its $240,000 in American Rescue Plan funds.
The board voted to hold a special meeting for public input at 6 p.m. July 27 in the township hall.
O'Dell has a suggestion from a resident for warning sirens, like those installed in Coldwater and Coldwater Township. He talked to the company that provided those sirens.
A computer program suggested four sirens located around the township for best coverage. The cost fully installed is $26,800 at each location, plus electrical connections. The total purchase would be $107,200.
"These rotating sirens cover a square mile each way," O'Dell said. "They believe with our lakes and stuff (the sound) is going to travel, so we're going to get more coverage out of the system."
The units are tested once a month; the units are triggered by 911 if a tornado warning is issued for the area. Installation would be along the road right-of-way on tall poles.
Clerk Amy Havasy said regulations allow townships to spend ARP funds for "anything that the township would normally or could spend money on, like roads or computer systems or anything like that." There is no pre-approval process.
Treasurer Shelly AcMoody objected to the approval of the project.
"What first came out, one of the requirements, was that we get the public involved in what they would like to see. By giving them possibly options or hearing from the public, how they would like to fund spent, I think we're still obligated to do that," she said.
AcMoody pointed out that Branch County took application on how it should spend ARP funds. The county has made no decision yet.
O'Dell said he went ahead with getting the information because "it was such a strong suggestion, and this would fit the criteria of benefitting the majority of people. It's in the high-density areas."
AcMoody noted about half the public uses the Code Red notification on their cellphones.
"I pretty much have my phone with me all the time." She wondered about "spending half of our ARPA funds on this."
O'Dell argued. "There's a lot of people on the lakes, boats, and golf carts where a lot of people don't have their phones."
Governments receiving ARP funds must designate how they will spend them by 2024 and complete projects by 2026.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Reporter: Tornado sirens on hold in Ovid Township, pending public hearing
