Township News Bulletins
There's always something new going on in Genoa Township! Check this space frequently for updated news and announcements.
June 24, 2024
Township Holiday Hours
The Township Offices will be closed on Thursday, July 4, 2024 and Friday July 5 for the Independence Day Holiday.
June 24, 2024
Holiday Refuse Collection
Thursday July 4, 2024 - Independence Day Holiday.
Thursday, July 4: Fourth of July - There will be no garbage/recycling collection.
Friday, July 5: Garbage/recycling resumes with Thursday pickup. Friday’s pickup will be completed Saturday.
June 21, 2024
2024 Summer Tax Information
The 2024 Summer Tax Bills will be mailed to all Genoa Township property owners on Monday, July 1, 2024. Summer taxes are payable, without penalty, through Monday, 9/16/24. The 2024 Summer Tax amounts are available on the Township Website at www.genoa.org
Payments can be made online by credit card or electronic check, at the township offices by cash or check, by mail to Genoa Township, 2911 Dorr Rd., Brighton, MI 48116, placed in the Township drop box, or by filing ACH paperwork to set up an automatic withdrawal.
Please contact the Treasurer's Office at (810) 227-5225 if you have any questions or if you do not receive your bill.
June 11, 2024
Notice To Genoa Charter Township Residents Regarding Early Voting
Election notices for Primary on August 6, 2024.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to Michigan Election Law, Public Act 116 of 1954, section 168.720j(10), that the closing board of the Early Voting Site for the August 6, 2024 Primary Election will convene to Close the Voting Polls for Genoa Charter Township on the following date, time and location:
Date: August 6, 2024
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Location: Genoa Charter Township Hall
2911 Dorr Road
Brighton, MI 48116
June 10, 2024
Challis Road and Bauer Road - New Roundabout - BEGINS JUNE 13
The Livingston County Road Commission will be reconfiguring the Challis Road and Bauer Road intersection to include a new roundabout.
Construction is expected to begin Thursday June 13th and last through August 30th. During this time, the intersection of Challis/Bauer Roads will be fully closed to traffic.
There will be a Phase III to this project as well, which will include the reconstruction and relocation of North Bauer Road and a short cul-de-sac north of the roundabout. This will affect only a small amount of properties north of the intersection (all will still have maintained access to their homes). During Phase III, Bauer and Chalis Roads will be open to traffic, with short periods of flagging operations dependent upon the work being completed at that time.
The Township contributed $500,000 towards this project which will alleviate congestion and improve public safety by eliminating the steep hill on Bauer Road north of Challis Road.
Please click on this link to view the vicinity plan from the Road Commission showing how the new road is designed. Please contact Garrett Olson, Construction Engineer, at the Livingston County Road Commission with any questions at 517-546-4250.
Challis - Bauer Road Reconstruction Plans
June 10, 2024
Highlander Reading Express Visiting at the Township Park
The Highlander Reading Express will be making weekly stops at the Township Park this summer.
The decommissioned school bus, which functions as a mobile library to promote summer reading for students, will be in the Upper Parking Lot at the Township Hall from 10:30-11:30 a.m. every Tuesday starting June 11 through Aug. 13.
Students check out books one week and return them the next.
For more information, visit https://www.howellschools.com/services/communications/highlander_reading_express
June 3, 2024
Brighton Area Fire seeking Paid On-Call Firefighters
The Brighton Area Fire Authority is seeking residents living in Genoa Township, Brighton Township and the City of Brighton who are willing to serve their community as a Paid-On-Call Firefighter.
- No experience necessary, just the motivation to learn and serve
- All required training is provided and compensated
- Academy classes are held on evening/weekends
To apply, interested applicants can go to www.brightonareafire.com or in person at 615 W. Grand River, Brighton, MI 48116
Any questions please call the Brighton Area Fire Authority at 810 229-6640.
May 29, 2024
Howell Parks and Recreation Upcoming Millage Request - Informational
The Howell Area Parks and Recreation Authority is requesting a millage proposal for the August 6, 2024 ballot. This proposal will be on the ballots of Genoa Township voters who reside in the Howell Public Schools district. Genoa Township encourages all residents to educate themselves on the millage request. For more information, please visit www.howellrecreation.org/millage-faq. Residents can also contact Howell Parks and Recreation directly at parksandrec@howellrecreation.org or by phone at 517 546-0693.
May 28, 2024
Township Clerk releases statement regarding Zoned Communities
We are a Zoned Community
By Paulette A. Skolarus
What that means is that even though you own the land, you cannot put just anything you want on the property you own. Every piece of land within the township has a specific zoning. It can be residential, industrial, commercial or neighborhood service district. Under residential zoning there is agricultural (10 acres), country estate (5 acres), rural residential (2 acres), low-density residential (1 acre), suburban residential (21,780 sq. ft.), etc. Each one of these zonings have separate dimensional standards including size of homes, setbacks and heights of buildings. Being a zoned community helps to maintain a certain standard for our community and allows for orderly development and assures compatibility of size, style and structure of buildings. Without zoning a property owner could build their home on the lot line instead of 50' from the street; park their boat or trailer in the front yard; or put a gas station near your home.
Our ordinance is in place to protect you and your property values. The same types of standards are established for commercial, industrial and neighborhood service properties. Any person or property with commercial or industrial zoning must conform to the standards of the Township Zoning Ordinance. The township may not deny a person or property owner from developing their land unless they do not meet the standards of the ordinance. In the case of commercial development, the township requires a certain amount of landscaping, colors of the building to be compatible with neighboring properties, setback standards, height of the building, etc.
On occasion, property owners cannot meet the minimum requirements for development of their property. If this happens the owner may petition the Zoning Board of Appeals for a variance at a public hearing. Neighboring properties within 300 feet of the development are notified in writing by the township of the request for a variance. Then a public hearing is scheduled to hear the request of the business or homeowner. Any variance that is approved must carry with it a practical difficulty related to the land. Example: The land or parcel is too small to accommodate the minimum square footage or the terrain will only provide one housing site location on the parcel. Each petition is handled on a separate request and the Zoning Board of Appeals may or may not grant a variance.
The Genoa Township Zoning Board of Appeals is made up of five members of our community. These board members make tough decision and have a difficult job in denying or approving variances for our residents and at the same time they keep our township orderly and beautiful.
May 13, 2024
Livingston County Recycling Events
LIVINGSTON COUNTY RECYCLING EVENTS:
Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off Events (HHW)
May 18, 2024 Sign Up Link
July 13, 2024 – Link will be opened no later than June 1, 2024
September 21, 2024 – Link will be opened no later than August 10, 2024
Website Link - https://www.milivcounty.gov/dpw/
Location of each event will be sent with confirmations.
If you don’t get a confirmation within 48 hours please email us at solidwaste@livgov.com including name address and email used for the sign up.
IN THE EVENT THAT A SIGN UP IS FULL - Try again every few days as people sign up and cancel regularly and spots will be added weekly. Generally, the last week before the event there are also a good amount of cancellations.
These events provide a free and convenient opportunity for residents to safely eliminate unwanted hazardous materials from their home, workshop and garage.
Click on the following link for Accepted Items: HHW Acceptable Items List. Acceptable Materials List will also be emailed with the online confirmation.
Items can only be dropped off on event days and only with a REQUIRED APPOINTMENT.
Electronics Recycling:
Date/Time: August 17, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – NO APPOINTMENTS NECESSARY
Location – 3535 Grand Oaks, Drive, Howell (Livingston County Road Commission)
ChemTrend in Howell has once again offered Livingston County an Electronics Recycling Grant.
Latex Paint Recycling (Fee based Event)
Sign Up Link – WILL BE OPENED NO LATER THAN MAY 1, 2024
We will host a Latex Paint Recycling Event on Wednesday June 12th, 2024. Due to high demand for this event, appointments will be required this year. Each appointment block will have a half hour window for you to drop off your paint. The sign-up link will be activated no later than May 1st. Drop off information and reminders will be sent emailed after signing up.
Fees are: 5 Gallon Can $4 each, 1 Gallon Can $1 each, Quart or Smaller Can – No Charge
LATEX Paint Only – Paints should be in original cans and not mixed with other paints.
Scrap Tire Collection Event
Date/Time – October 5, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Sign Up Link – WILL BE OPENED NO LATER THAN MAY 1, 2024
The Scrap Tire Collection Sign Up will be emailed out when developed. You can also check the Solid Waste Page periodically to see if it is posted
Recycling Guide:
Recycling Guide Link: Livingston County Recycling Guide
April 29, 2024
Livingston County Veteran Services
Livingston County Veteran Services (LCVS) offers a variety of programs and services to assist veterans and their families. LCVS employs nationally accredited Veteran Service Officers to assist veterans in filing for US Dept. of Veterans Affairs benefits. Honorably discharged veterans registered with LCVS, and their spouse may utilize complimentary LCVS transportation to medical appointments within a 50-mile radius. To schedule a ride, call LETS at (517) 546-6600, select option 3 and mention veteran status. LCVS offers honorably discharged indigent veterans several assistance programs provided by Emergency Relief funds, such as:
- Energy efficient upgrades or replacements of large appliances such as boilers, furnaces, central A/C, and refrigerators via LCVS partnership with Consumers Energy,
- $200 food voucher plus an additional $50 for each child in the household,
- $200 clothing vouchers for their school-aged children up to age 18, and
- Dental assistance of up to $1,000 via LCVS partnership with VINA Dental.
Call (517) 546-6338 to set up an appointment and qualify for these programs.
April 17, 2024
Waste Management resumes contracted yard waste pickup service
Waste Management offers a bi-weekly yard waste pickup service. The service resumed April 10th. Residents south of I-96 will recieve yard waste pickup on Wednesdays. Residents north of I-96 will receive yard waste pickup on Thursdays.
The fee for bi-weekly yard waste pickup is $80.00 per residence for the season.
For more information, contact Waste Management at 810-201-5576.
January 3, 2024
Radon Test Kits available to residents - courtesy of the Livingston County Health Department
Genoa Township is giving out free radon testing kits. The testing kit and instructions are available at Township Hall.
The naturally-occurring, tasteless, odorless and colorless gas comes from the natural, radioactive breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air. It enters buildings through openings in foundation floors or walls such as sump openings, crawlspaces, floor or wall joints and cracks.
In Livingston County, approximately 40% of homes have elevated radon levels, according to information on the county's website from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.
For more information on this program and on radon in general, please visit the Livingston County Health Department Radon page.
November 20, 2023
Sign Up for County's Free Property Fraud Alert Service
The Livingston County Register of Deeds Office is making it easier for residents to help protect their most valuable asset, their home. Through their free Property Fraud Alert service, residents can sign-up to be notified via phone or email if a document is recorded in Livingston County under their name. Consider it an early warning system for property owners to stay up-to-date about their property and take appropriate actions if they determine fraudulent activity has taken place. “Having the ability to be notified immediately should a fraudulent or predatory document be recorded against your property is invaluable. The faster something like this is discovered, the faster it can be reported to the authorities and resolved,” says Chief Deputy Register of Deeds Brandon Barefield. The Property Fraud Alert is a free service provided by the Register of Deeds Office that requires no up-front or monthly fees.
The best way to stay informed about your property and to protect against property fraud is being proactive. This service is a great tool for those with aging parents to ensure that their loved ones don’t fall victim to scams or fraud. Sign-up is easy and fast, but most importantly, offers a little extra peace of mind. You can sign up to three names per phone number or four names per email address, in case you’d like multiple people to receive alerts on the same property.
To sign-up, simply visit https://www.propertyfraudalert.com/, where you’ll select “Livingston, MI” from their front page. Next, you’ll follow the Continue prompt, accept the terms, and then enter either your personal information or business information to be monitored. Here is where you’ll select whether you want receive notifications via email or as a phone call. Simply select “Save” when your information is entered, and you’ve signed up for the alert and taken the first step to protecting your home!
The information provided by residents is kept safe and secure and won’t be used for any reason other than notifying you of recordings. If residents have questions, they can contact the Register of Deeds Office at (517) 546-0270 or via email at rod@livgov.com.
November 4, 2021
Genoa Township approves agreement for internet access for unserved/underserved residents
Genoa Township has made an agreement with MiSignal.
MiSignal will be building out the infrastructure and service to deliver High-speed Internet (1 gigabit Fiber Optic) service for the unserved and underserved areas of Genoa Township.
The full press release can be found here.
April 27, 2021
Weekly Recycling Begins Monday May 3, 2021
Weekly recycling will begin for all Township residents starting the week of May 3.
Residents can place their recycling bins out every week on their normal trash/recycling day beginning that week. Residents can confirm their trash/recycling pickup days at the My Schedule search box located on the Township Refuse and Recyling page found here.
Please remember to break down cardboard boxes. Do not put anything on top of the cart or outside of the cart. For a list of items that can be recycled, please visit the Waste Wizard search box on the Township Refuse and Recycling page found here.
April 13, 2020
Township Clerk releases statement regarding Honey Bees
Save the Bees
Township resident Jim DelCamp recently addressed the Genoa Township Board asking the board to develop policies to conserve the natural habitat of bees in the township. He provided the following information for our residents: There are 460 wild species of bees in the Michigan and 16,000 species worldwide. Honey Bees have been declining at a rate of 40% each year according to Michigan State University and the loss will have devastating effects on life in general since bees pollinate our crops and flowers.
Pesticides are a big problem since they damage bees and harm their ability to forage. In recent tests 100% of ground-nesting bees were killed as a result of pesticides. Please limit the use of pesticides where bees are present even though they are a nuisance. Bees help more than they hurt.
Planting wildflowers will support bees. Many wild bees are solitary as well as ground nesting and they need suitable habitat. Leaving small plots of ground in their natural state such as deadwood, brush piles or fungi will help where ground nesting bees can flourish. Others could use bee hotels to safeguard them during the winter. Bees are important for pollination since 1/3 of all plants and flowers depend on them for life.
A bee feeder, using sugar water with a drop of mycelial extract, will enhance their health and allow them to live longer. Mycelium has been called natures ‘world wide web’ under our feet. Of an estimated 10 million multi-cell life forms, half are fungi and they have been evolving to combat viruses. Bees don’t just pollinate they spread mycelium as they forage. They dig into the soil where mushrooms grow getting mycelium all over their fuzzy bodies and spread it every other place they touch.
Livingston County can become a refuge where bees, mycelium, birds, butterflies, helping all of nature to thrive. So save that natural site, feed those bees, plant wildflowers and minimize your use of pesticides. With proper understanding and education we can improve our health and enhance the ecosystems of this earth.
Polly Skolarus, Clerk
Genoa Charter Township
October 23, 2017
2017 Video Tour of Livingston County
Livingston County government is pleased to present the 2017 Video Tour of Livingston County that showcases the advantages of living, working and playing in our County Community!
The 2017 video tour includes comments by community leaders as well as a well-rounded visual depiction of our County, presented in nine (9) chapters:
- Welcome
- Education
- Parks and Recreation
- Healthcare – NEW
- Real Estate and Relocation
- Downtown, Business & Industry
- Quality of Life
- Economic Development – NEW
- Community Organizations - NEW
Select any chapter of this product to view the Livingston County video on that subject. You can also view the
videos of various local businesses that participated in this promotional program by clicking on their logo in the
frame surrounding each chapter of the Video Tour.
Please visit the Livingston County home page at: https://www.livgov.com/ to view the new Video Tour of Livingston County
November 22, 2016
Genoa Township Board adopts Principles of Governance
At the November 21, 2016 Township Board meeting, the Board approved the adoption of the following Principles of Governance:
To maintain the high standards and traditions of Michigan Townships, we embrace these principles of governance to guide our stewardship, deliberations, constituent services and commitment to safeguard our community’s health, safety and general welfare.
We pledge to:
• Insist on the highest standards of ethical conduct by all who act on behalf of this township;
• Bring credit, honor and dignity to our public offices through collegial board deliberations and through diligent, appropriate responses to constituent concerns;
• Actively pursue education and knowledge, and to embrace best practices;
• Treat all persons with dignity, respect and impartiality; without prejudice or discrimination;
• Practice openness and transparency in our decisions and actions;
• Cooperate in all reasonable ways with other government entities and to consider the impact our decisions may have outside our Township’s borders;
• Communicate to the public Township issues, challenges and successes, and welcome the active involvement of stakeholders to further the Township’s well-being;
• Strive for compliance with state and federal statutory requirements;
• Recuse a board member from participating in any decision where there was personal financial gain either expected or implied;
• Further the understanding of the obligations and responsibilities of American citizenship, democratic government and freedom.
These principles we pledge to our citizens, our state, and to our country.
December 17, 2015
New video showing Genoa Township Hall and facilities
Recently a high definition video was taken by drone over the Township Hall and surrounding area.
You can find the video here: https://youtu.be/w1JaFnu5KvU
Thanks and credit go to Brian Jonckheere, the Livingston County Drain commissioner.
July 21, 2015
Oak Wilt Information
Michigan has lost millions of trees due to Dutch Elm disease and the Emerald Ash Borer. Now our oak trees are in jeopardy. Red oak wilt is identified by the rapid wilting of an infected tree that is dead in two to six weeks. White oaks die slowly one branch at a time over the course of several years. Oak wilt is caused by the fungus that is spread by improper tree trimming and removal practices. It is spread in two ways - from tree to tree through connected roots and/or from spores being moved by insects.
To prevent the spread of oak wilt diseases please consider the following:
- Oak trees should not be pruned or trimmed between April 1 and October 15.
- Oak trees that are inadvertently injured or pruned between April 1 and October 15 should be promptly sealed with a tree pruning sealer or latex paint. The repair should take place within hours of the injury.
- Any developer, contractor and/or owner(s) of property preparing a site for construction during April 1st through October 15th should adhere to the above oak wilt prevention practices.
- Members of the white oak family diseased with oak wilt may be saved with tree injections of the fungicide Alamo by a registered company.
- Dead oak trees should be removed along with the stump and properly disposed of by chipping to less than 3 inches or removed to a disposal site for debarking, burning or burial.
- Oak wood retained as firewood should be sealed with a tarp.
January 21, 2015
Reflective Address signs now available for purchase at the Township Hall
Reflective address signs courtesy of the Brighton Area Fire Department are now available for purchase from the Township Hall. The signs are dark green with white numbers. The signs are double-sided with your address number and there are holes to allow for either horizontal or vertical mounting. Each sign is $15.00.
All proceeds from signs sold go to help fund the Brighton Area Fire Fighters Association, a non profit organization.
You may also order these reflective address signs through the Brighton Area Fire Department using the form below.
August 7, 2013
Information on Invasive Plants: Purple loosestrife and Russian olive.
Invasive plants are posing a real threat to Michigan's natural habitats. Purple loosestrife and Russian olive are two of the more aggressive plants that are crowding out native species. According to information from Michigan State University's Midwest Invasive Species Information Network (http://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/invasive-species/factsheets.cfm), "Early detection and eradication of these species is critical in preventing further damage to Michigan's natural areas."
Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is a beautiful plant with purple, pink or white flowers blooming in July through October. It will spread quickly in moist soil conditions, crowding out native plants such as cattails, which are needed for nesting and food sources. Some experts (http://www.miseagrant.umich.edu/downloads/ais/fs-97-501_purple_loosestrife.pdf) blame purple loosestrife for declining waterfowl populations. While deer forage on new purple loosestrife shoots in the spring, other animals avoid it. Experts on the MSU site recommend hand pulling seedlings; and removing all flowers seed heads.
Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) is a thorny shrub or small tree that grows up to 30 feet high. The leaves are light green and covered with silvery hairs. It blooms in June and July with yellowish flowers, eventually bearing hard yellow-red olive-shaped fruits. Russian olive grows in such a way that it fills in open areas, crowding out native plants. Experts on the MSU site recommend hand pulling seedlings. They caution that "burning, mowing, cutting, and girding can stimulate resprouting in larger plants without herbicide treatment; treat cut stumps with an herbicide."
For more information about purple loosestrife, Russian olive and other invasive plants threatening the state's natural habitats, visit http://www.misin.msu.edu/.
August 2, 2009
Livingston County Pet Adoption
Livingston County Animal Control
Pets available for adoption at the County Animal control can be found here
Livingston County Humane Society
Pets available for adoption at the Humane Society can be found here
January 16, 2009
Ash Tree Information
Detroit Edison has released an important announcement regarding ash trees.