Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Manchester council approves July street closures for Chicken Broil, extends sheriff’s contract and hires part‑time DPW worker
Summary
At a May 18 meeting, the Manchester City Council approved street closures for the July 18 Chicken Broil, extended a one‑year police services contract with the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office, set a June 1 public hearing for the 2026–27 budget, approved a $6,300 playground mulch purchase, declined crack‑sealing bids, hired a part‑time DPW laborer, and approved $40,715.72 in payments.
Mayor Patricia K. Vailliencourt called the Manchester City Council to order at 7:00 p.m. on May 18, 2026, and the council approved a slate of routine items, including street closures for the July 18 Chicken Broil, a one‑year extension of police services with the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office, and the hiring of a part‑time public works employee.
The council voted to close Wolverine Street from Duncan Street to Vernon Street, Duncan Street from City Road to Morgan Street, and Vernon Street from Wolverine to Torrey Street from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on July 18 to accommodate the annual Chicken Broil. Councilmember Mahony moved the closure and Councilmember LaRocque seconded; the motion carried with Councilmembers Dresch, LaRocque, Mahony, Woods and Mayor Vailliencourt voting yes. Councilmember Chartrand and Councilmember Harvey were not recorded as voting on that motion (Chartrand arrived after the vote; Harvey absent).
The council also approved a one‑year extension for police services with the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office. Councilmember Mahony moved the contract extension and Councilmember Woods seconded; roll call later recorded ayes from Chartrand, Dresch, LaRocque, Mahony, Woods and Mayor Vailliencourt; Councilmember Harvey was absent. The motion extends the existing sheriff’s office agreement for police services for an additional year as described in the motion.
Councilmembers set the public hearing on the proposed 2026–2027 budget and levy of mills for the June 1 council meeting. The motion to set the hearing was moved by Councilmember Mahony, seconded by Councilmember Woods, and carried with members present.
Other routine approvals included permission for St. Mary’s Catholic Church to use Wurster Park on June 13–14; authorization to purchase and install playground‑certified mulch from Superior Groundcover for $6,300; and a vote to decline both sealed bids submitted for the 2026 routing and crack sealing project. The playground mulch motion was moved by Councilmember Dresch and seconded by Councilmember Woods; the bid‑decline motion was moved by Councilmember Mahony and seconded by Councilmember Dresch.
On personnel, the council approved hiring Holly Horodeczny as a part‑time Department of Public Works laborer at $21.49 per hour, described in the motion as 16 hours one week and 24 hours the next week per year. The hiring motion was moved by Councilmember LaRocque and seconded by Councilmember Woods and carried with the recorded ayes.
Council approved the Accounts Payable Report dated May 18, 2026, in the amount of $40,715.72 on a motion by Councilmember Dresch, seconded by Councilmember LaRocque.
In reports, the Treasurer’s Report for April 2026 was reviewed. J. Cratsenburg provided a verbal report of April activity for the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office. The Parks Commission plans to meet May 20 to discuss summer parks programming and staffing. Manager Sessions and wastewater treatment plant staff reported meeting with the Bridgewater Sewer Committee on ongoing sewer matters. Mayor Vailliencourt adjourned the meeting at 8:53 p.m.
The council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for June 1, 2026, when the public hearing on the proposed 2026–2027 budget and mill levy will be held.
