White Lake Police to Purchase 3 New Patrol Vehicles

The Board of Trustees met Tuesday to discuss several items including the purchase of new police vehicles, proposed ballot language for the November general election and the redevelopment of the

The was given the green light to purchase three new patrol vehicles for a total cost of $81,558. Chief Ed Harris said the department has the money in its budget, and purchases 3-4 new cars each year.

"We put about 80,000 miles on a patrol vehicle in a two-year span," Harris said. "At that point things start to break down and the repair cost begins to add up. That's why we try to replace them as they hit that 80,000 mile mark."

Each car will cost $23,355 and the cost to re-equip the vehicles with the radios, computers, safety shields and other items will be $3,831. Harris said the fee to re-equip the vehicles will be higher than normal this year because the safety shield used in the current Crown Victorias will not fit in the new Interceptors. In addition, the department will be using some new technology called Idle Right, that will allow an officer to keep their equipment in the car up and running without having to constantly run the engine.

"We usually have to keep the engines running, or the equipment will run down the battery. With Idle Right, the engine can be turned off while the system tracks the battery power. When the battery starts to drain, the system remote starts the engine automatically," Harris said.

Gin Mill to undergo rennovations

The Gin Mill Party Store at M-59 and Pontiac Lake Road has one hurdle left before it can redevelop its current building. Tuesday, the board approved the site plans for the business. The store now only needs approval of zoning variances from the Zoning Board of Appeals.

The current building will be completely redesigned and moved back on the current parcel allowing for more parking and easier access to the parking lot from both M-59 and Pontiac Lake Road.

There will also be new landscaping along the property, which will update the look of the corner parcel. The living space above the store will also be eliminated.

"We are very excited about this redesign," Planning Director Sean O'Neil said. "It's been something we've been working on for a long time."

Millage ballot language shot down

Both the and the Parks and Recreation committee asked that their ballot language from the August Primary be reconsidered for the ballot in November.

In early August, both proposals were voted against by the voters. The parks and recreation proposal lost with 2,949 no votes to 2,800 yes votes; and the fire increase lost with 2,961 no votes to 2,782 yes votes.

Both requests Tuesday were denied by the board. The fire department request was defeated by 4-3 vote against putting the request on the November ballot. Trustees Mike Powell, Carol Burkard and Todd Birkle, along with Treasurer Jay Brendel voted no. Supervisor Greg Baroni, Clerk Terry Lilley and Trustee David Lewsly voted yes.

The parks and recreation request was defeated by a 6-1 vote with Brendel, Lewsley, Lilley, Powell, Baroni and Birkle voting no; and Burkard voting yes.