Miltona Township orders paving of Miltona Bay Road NE after public hearing; cost estimated at $203,066

Miltona Township officials voted to order the paving and improvement of Miltona Bay Road NE following a public hearing, adopting Resolution 2024-8 and authorizing assessments of benefitting property owners to cover an estimated project cost of $203,066. The action was taken after a July 8 hearing and was approved by the board 3–0.

At the July 8 public hearing, Clerk Thomas A. Blank reviewed a three-page handout that outlined the joint petition process between Miltona and Carlos townships, the methodology for calculating assessments and quotes received for the work. Jeff Stabnow, P.E., the engineer of record, was present to explain the feasibility report and answer technical questions from landowners about driveways, culverts and timing.

The project cost was presented in the feasibility materials as $203,066.00. Landowners raised practical questions about how the new pavement would tie into existing driveways, the location and condition of a culvert at the road’s low point, and whether assessments could be paid in a single lump sum. Township officials said notices had been mailed and published in accordance with statute.

A straw poll taken during the hearing showed 17 attendees in favor of paving and 4 opposed. After the public hearing concluded, the Miltona Township Board reconvened the July 1 meeting and, on a motion by Trustee Matt Kugler seconded by Trustee Andy Anderson, voted 3–0 to pursue the paving project. The board then adopted Resolution 2024-8 on July 8, which states the board will order the project in accordance with the engineer’s report and assess benefitting properties under township policy.

Resolution 2024-8 identifies the feasibility report prepared by Jeff Stabnow, P.E., as the basis for the board’s determination that the proposed improvement is necessary, feasible and cost-effective. The resolution sets the estimated total cost at $203,066.00 and directs assessment to benefiting parcels as calculated in the report.

Next steps noted by township officials include finalizing assessment calculations, notifying affected landowners of their assessed amounts and following statutory timelines for petitioned road projects. The township’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at the Miltona Community Center.