The Dexter Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Dexter Village residents object over 'hostile takeover'
By Sandi Kasha, The Dexter Leader
PUBLISHED: March 15, 2007
Calling it a "hostile takeover," residents gave the Dexter Village Council and Scio Township Board an earful this week about the possible annexation of their properties.
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Property owners gathered at the council meeting Monday and the board meeting Tuesday to voice their concerns regarding a 1981 annexation agreement between the two municipalities.
The pact, which expired two months ago, allows the village to petition the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners to annex 104 parcels that are located on Baker Road, Baker Heights Court, Shield Road, Bent Tree Drive, Millview Court, Boenaro Court, Sandfield Court, Parker Road and Dexter-Chelsea Road.
About 93 parcels are residential and 11 are commercial.
"We made a decision to move to Scio Township, not Dexter Village," said Michael Nestor, who moved to Bates Farms subdivision in 1991.
Nestor addressed the council and board on behalf of his neighbors who aren't keen on being village residents or paying village taxes, which are 13.5 mills compared to Scio Township's 0.95 mills. Nestor said that he agreed with Scio Township Attorney William Fahey who said that the agreement is "expired, superseded, invalid adn non-binding, and specifically does not reflect the legislative discretion of the present Township Board."
Resident Mark Roberts added that the possibility of being annexed has been disturbing to him and is beyond his financial means.
The Village Council voted unanimously to postpone the annexation issue indefinitely.
Village President Jim Seta assured the residents that the council hasn't made any decisions regarding annexation and are still in the exploratory stage.
"We're still in the exploratory stage," he said Monday.
Village Trustee Shawn Keough said that he doesn't understand why residents would call annexation a "hostile takeover."
He added that the process is new to the council and trustees are investigating and looking at the issue from every angle.
"It's an emotional issue, but it's also a political decision," said Village Trustee Paul Cousins. "Two units of government signed the agreement and put a date on it and it will happen. Those are the facts."
If the village pursues annexation more than 100 properties in Scio Township would be annexed, which would increase the village's tax revenue at $168,427 annually.
But annexing 277 acres may also increase village expenses with an additional $81,000 annually.
According to a report from village engineers OHM, extending sewer service to the annexed area would cost roughly $5.8 million and supplying municipal water would total $2.64 million.
While residents looked to the Village Council for answers, they looked to the Township Board for representation.
"We want it to be known, that you, as our representatives, must inform us," Nestor said Tuesday. "And moreover allow us to participate in any process where you will agree or try to agree with Dexter Village to annex us."
Nestor added that it is the board's duty and legal responsibility to represent the residents.
"It's nothing that's going to happen right away and from what I heard it may not happen at all," said Township Supervisor Charlie Nielsen.
"We will not be passive," Township Trustee David Nacht said. "We will be aggressive and we will fight for your rights."
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