Canton trustees approve 2026 CDBG annual action plan, including $191,000 for Barchester Park playground

The Canton Township Board of Trustees voted May 19 to adopt the township’s 2026 Community Development Block Grant annual action plan and the 2026–2030 consolidated plan and to submit both documents to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Wendy Trumbull, director, outlined that the five‑year consolidated plan is the township’s roadmap for CDBG allocations and that the annual action plan follows the consolidated strategy. Grant supervisor Mike Shepherd said the township’s annual CDBG allocation this year is “just under $375,000” and described recommended awards: First Step ($18,000), Neighborhood Legal Services ($15,000), Wayne Metro ($12,500), Canton Youth Connection (grant) ($10,000), administrative fees ($74,000), a large playground construction project at Barchester Park ($191,000), and housing rehabilitation set at about $50,000 intended to serve low‑to‑moderate income homeowners and mobile homes.

Shepherd said the housing rehab funding is limited and would cover roughly two full home rehabs at $25,000 each or a larger number of mobile‑home repairs at up to $5,000 per unit. He also said demand exceeds available funds and there is a waiting list for rehab assistance.

After a brief question-and-answer period about Barchester playground scope and the rehab program, Clerk Kirk Siegrist moved to open and close the required public hearing (no public speakers appeared for the hearing) and then moved to adopt the plans; the board voted in favor.

The approved annual action plan will be transmitted to HUD as the township’s recommended project list for program year 2026. Shepherd said the plan draws on HUD and U.S. Census data, a community survey and prior public hearings; director Trumbull and the CDBG advisory council recommended the allocations.