Meridian Township asks Okemos schools for three easements to complete pathway, water and siren access at Bennett Woods

Meridian Township officials told the Okemos Public Schools Board of Education they are seeking three easements across the Bennett Woods school site to legalize existing township infrastructure and to build a short pathway and boardwalk that would connect the school to nearby neighborhoods.

Township project engineer Casey Hart told the board the request covers (1) a water easement around existing township mains and hydrants, (2) a warning siren easement west of the school driveway for severe-weather alerts, and (3) pathway easements that include an existing 7-foot concrete sidewalk and a proposed boardwalk across a wetland to tie into the off-site pathway network. "So what we're proposing is a pathway project that consists of a boardwalk... we're going to construct the 7 foot wide concrete pathway until we get to the wetland. Then we have about 335 linear feet of boardwalk. It's gonna be 8 foot wide," Hart said, explaining the boardwalk would terminate near the Schultz veterinary clinic driveway and link to existing routes.

Why it matters: township staff described the work as filling a gap in the walking network that will provide a safer, accessible route to the school for students and for future residents of the adjacent Silver Relief Subdivision. Hart said construction is planned to start this summer and finish before the next school year if permits and bids proceed on schedule.

Details and timing: Hart said the township is waiting on one EGLE permit and has plans out to bid, with bids due at the end of the month; he described an approximate two-month construction timeline beginning in July if permits are issued. Funding for construction, Hart said, will come from Meridian Township millage funds, with the Schultz property owner contributing money for the pathway along their frontage. "It will be at no cost to the school district," Hart said.

Board context and next steps: Trustees asked clarifying questions to confirm that the water and siren easements were retroactive legalizations of existing infrastructure. Trustee Berenson asked, "so that's an easement for things that are already there essentially, right?" Hart replied, "Correct." Superintendent Hood and trustees indicated the board would review a formal easement item at a future meeting for official action.

Project constraints and operations: Hart said the off-site Silver Relief Subdivision is expected to add residents in late fall or early winter, which creates urgency to complete a safe walking connection. He also said the township coordinated with the district's director of safety, operations and the school principal and that those site contacts were supportive of the plan. Hart noted the proposed boardwalk begins at the point where the existing path currently ends in front of a wetland, and that the boardwalk design is intended to avoid environmental impacts pending the state permitting review.

No formal board vote was taken at the May meeting; staff said a formal easement request and supporting exhibits will be brought back for board action.

Speakers quoted or consulted for this article: Casey Hart, project engineer, Meridian Township Department of Public Works; Dan Opsmer, deputy township manager and director of public works, Meridian Township (present); Superintendent Hood, Okemos Public Schools; Trustee Berenson, Okemos Public Schools Board of Education.

Ending: Township staff asked the board to receive the information and prepare for a formal easement item at a future meeting; pending EGLE review and successful bidding, township staff said construction could proceed this summer with no cost to the district.