Second Edition

November, 2007

Welcome to the site.

Many things have changed in Denton Township since my first "Supervisor's Corner". Several projects have been completed in the past year.

The new ambulance facility is up and running. Through contractual agreements and mutual aid agreements, Denton Township Ambulance provides either primary or secondary Advance Life Support ambulance service to 8 of the 11 townships in Roscommon County. The Ambulance Department is a licensed training center providing training for EMT, PARAMEDIC, CPR, and First Responder certification, and continuing education classes for EMS personnel.

All emergency services, Police, Fire, and Ambulance now have emergency standby power generators. The departments can operate 24/7 during emergency situations.

The M18 Streetscape is complete. The project included sidewalks, streetlights and landscaping on M18 South in Prudenville. This is the third project completed as part of the planned beautification of the M55 and M18 corridors. MDOT completed the repaving of M55 in Denton Township.

Several park improvements were completed this summer. A new basketball court was installed a the public park on Peachtree Avenue. The parking lots at the soccer field and pavilion were enlarged and paved and curbed driveways were installed. Work continues on the acquisition of the 123 Lake Street property for another lakefront park. Denton Township has a Park Advisory Board that meets to discuss future recreation needs and recommend projects. There is strong local support to improve ORV trails and access to facilities surrounding Houghton Lake at this time. The Denton Township Board is considering ordinances to improve access for ORV users.

Less noticeable changes have occurred in regards to infrastructure within the Township. Hi Speed Internet service has been improved with the installation of fiber optic cable. This change also allows the cable operator to provide telephone service and improved cable TV programming in the township.

A new four-township authority has been formed. The Houghton Lake Sewer Authority was formed to consolidate the 3 separate sewer systems around Houghton Lake under one entity. The authority is governed by a five-member board consisting of one representative from each township and one member at large from the member townships of Denton, Lake, Markey and Roscommon.

A major challenge facing the Denton Township Board is the rising cost of road maintenance and funding future local road improvements. The Board is working with the Roscommon County Road Commission to extend the useful life of the township roads. The Road Commission is now using the "Road Soft" computer program to rate the condition of the roads. The program recommends the appropriate level of maintenance for the road. The program is used in many states and all users have reported major savings from using the program.

The projects that were completed are the result of long range planning for the future development of the Township. The Planning Commission and the Township Board are responsible for all long range planning. Two required plans are the Master Plan and the Recreational Plan. These have to be reviewed and updated every five years.

Two other boards, the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Review Board are vital components of township government. The members of the Planning Commission, Review Board, and Zoning Board of Appeals are residents of the township and are appointed by the Township Board. These appointed board members and the Township Board make the decisions that affect the daily life of a township resident and shape the future of Denton Township.