Township receives a grant to restart juvenile program

A public meeting will be held to discuss changes in storm-water regulations.
HOWLAND -- Township trustees have accepted a $47,000 federal grant to restart the juvenile diversion program.
Township administrator Darlene St. George said Monday that the grant will be used to rehire Karen Len-Hinely as the juvenile diversion coordinator.
The program had been in existence since 1999 using grant money; it was terminated this summer when the current grant expired.
The U.S. Department of Justice's grant will allow school officials, police and parents to refer youth who have committed misdemeanor-type offenses to the diversion program rather than sending them to juvenile court.
Trustees also accepted a $7,000 grant to place cameras in the schools to give police immediate access to one should there be an emergency inside a building.
Regulation changes
Also, trustees set a public hearing for 6:45 p.m. Oct. 12 before the next regular meeting to hear comments about proposed changes in the storm-water regulations.
St. George explained that there have been changes in state law that gives home rule townships more authority in enforcing storm-water regulations.
For example, she said, if a developer is not following the final plans in installing storm sewer lines, the township must seek a stop-work order from the court.
If the regulations are passed by trustees, the township can issue the stop-work order.