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Village declines to place Commerce Township pathways millage on the 2026 ballot
Summary
Commerce Township supervisor Larry Gray asked Wolverine Lake to join a proposed 10‑year pathways millage (0.5–6 mills) to fund an arterial network; after questions about costs, easements and resident outreach the council voted not to place the proposal on the November 2026 ballot and asked for further public engagement.
Commerce Township Supervisor Larry Gray urged Wolverine Lake officials to let village residents vote on a proposed 10‑year pathways millage that would fund an arterial network of walking and bike paths across the township and village.
Gray told council the phase‑one millage would be "0.5 to 6 mills" over 10 years and estimated total revenue with village participation of roughly "$17.5 million to $20.5 million," and he said the township would seek state and federal grants (including SMCOG opportunities) to extend connections beyond the initial plan.
The proposal included routing priorities such as South Commerce Road to Ethel, a Glengary–Ethel connection listed in the packet at $745,000, and higher‑cost boardwalk sections where wetland crossings would be required. Gray said projects would be installed 36–48 months after passage, contingent on easements, right‑of‑way availability and grant matches.
Councillors pressed for more detail on tax impact, mapping and easement risk. Several members asked that residents be given time to review the plan and directed staff to circulate drawings and an FAQ; some raised concern that private easements might require condemnation in limited locations. Councilmember Duff moved to accept an agreement with Commerce Township to put the millage on the ballot and include village voters; the motion was seconded.
In roll call, multiple council members voted against the motion, and the measure did not pass. Council agreed to place the item on the next meeting agenda and asked staff to publish the pathways committee meeting schedule and circulate the packet material so residents can comment before a final decision.
What happens next: council requested additional public outreach and time to review the ballot language and the packet map; no millage vote was scheduled. The township indicated that final ballot verbiage must be ready by April of the ballot year if the village opts in.
