Dear Resident,

Genoa Charter Township regrets that you have experienced a sewer disposal system event. We strongly urge you to check with your homeowner's insurance policy to see if coverage is provided.

It is the property owner's responsibility to use the reasonable precautions to preserve and protect the damaged property and take all necessary steps to reduce further damage. If you feel a health hazard exists, enclosed is written material to use as a guide in dealing with certain items.

Current Michigan Law Public Act 170 of 1964, as amended by Public Act 222 of 2001, requires that persons seeking compensation for personal injury or property damage must show that all of the following existed at the time of the event.

• Genoa Charter Township at the time of the event owned or operated, or directly or indirectly discharged into, the portion of the sewage disposal system that allegedly caused damage or injury.
• The sewage disposal system of the Genoa Charter Township had a construction, design, maintenance, operation, or repair defect.
• Genoa Charter Township knew, of in the exercise of reasonable diligence should have known, about the defect and failed to take reasonable steps in a reasonable amount of time to repair, correct or remedy the defect.
• The defect must be 50% or more of the cause of the event and the damage or injury.

You are also required to comply with the written notice requirements of the Act. Any claim you make must be submitted in writing within 45 days after the date the damage or physical injury was discovered or should have been discovered. The written notice must contain your full name, address, telephone number, the address of the affected property, the date of discovery of any property damage or physical injury, and a brief description of the claim. Please print and complete the claim form and include when reporting your claim.

Genoa Charter Township field representatives or employees are not permitted to authorize repairs, clean-up or replacement of damaged items. All authorizations must be made by the designated Officials of Genoa Charter Township. Representatives can be contacted at (810) 227-5225 between hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Sincerely,

Greg Tatara
Utilities Director