MPSC offers tips on staying cool while keeping utility bills in check
As summer temperatures climb to some of the highest readings so far this year, the Michigan Public Service Commission is offering practical tips to help manage utility bills while staying cool.
For example, keep homes or apartments cool and comfortable by using fans to supplement air conditioning, grill outdoors instead of using the stove or oven, and seal ventilation ducts since air loss accounts for about 30 percent of a cooling system’s energy consumption.
You’ll find many of these low-cost or no cost things you can do to reduce energy waste without breaking a sweat at the MPSC’s Be Summerwise website, which features important information on smart energy use and helpful utility and weatherization programs.
Be smart:
- Ceiling fans allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4 degrees without affecting comfort. Turn fans off when not in the room.
- Install and set a programmable thermostat to efficiently manage your cooling system. It could help you to save up to 10 percent annually on cooling and heating costs.
- Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible. The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower overall cooling bills will be.
- Keep curtains or blinds closed to keep the sun from warming the home’s interior.
- Shut air vents in parts of the house that aren’t used or close off unoccupied rooms to keep the cool air where it’s needed. This can save 5 to 10 percent on cooling costs.
- Use the dishwasher later in the day so you don’t add heat or humidity to your home.
- Keep the cooling system well-tuned with periodic maintenance. Clean or replace the air filter once a month or as needed. Dirty or clogged filters reduce efficiency.
- Seal cracks around windows and doors to keep cool air from escaping.
- Unplug cell phones, televisions, video games and other devices when not in use. Even when not turned on, these devices use energy just by being plugged in.
- If concerned about the cost of running air conditioning, go to an area cooling center, the local mall, the senior center, or a movie theater to get out of the heat.
Be safe:
- Severe weather such as thunderstorms can knock out power or cause flooding. Assemble a power outage readiness kit that includes flashlights, batteries, water, candles, important phone numbers, and a battery-operated radio.
- Stay at least 20 feet from downed power lines and assume a fallen line is live.
- If power is interrupted and you need to run a portable generator, never use it indoors, in the basement, in a garage, or near windows or doors where dangerous carbon monoxide can enter a home.
Be aware:
- Buy an ENERGY STAR-qualified air conditioning unit – on average, they’re up to 15 percent more efficient than standard models. ENERGY STAR products meet strict federal efficiency standards.
- Running large appliances in the evening or at night during off-peak hours can save money.
- Check with your utility provider about voluntarily participating in demand response and time-of-use programs, which can help save money by shifting a customer’s energy usage away from peak times.
- Sign up for a utility budget plan to even out the cost of staying cool in the summer.
- Contact your local utility about programs that allow income-eligible customers to make payments if they receive a shutoff notice and can’t pay the bill in full.
- Eligible active duty military personnel and low-income customers may qualify for shut-off protection through various programs.
Be prepared:
- If your power goes out, have the toll-free number for your utility provider handy.
- The MPSC’s Customer Assistance hotline at (800) 292-9555 can help with issues related to utilities.
- The Aging and Adult Services Agency, which is part of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, can provide contact information for local Area Agencies on Aging to learn more about local resources such as cooling centers.
- Call 211 for information and referrals for agencies that can help with utility payments.
For information about the MPSC, visit www.michigan.gov/mpsc, sign up for one of its listservs, or follow the Commission on Twitter. To watch a livestream of the MPSC’s meetings, click here.
I-96 bridges over Billwood Highway and the Grand River
Start: Summer 2019 End: Fall 2019
Full Highway Closures:
WB I-96 will be closed starting at 9PM Friday July 19th to 5am Monday, July 29th
EB I-96 will be closed starting at 9PM Friday August 2nd to 5am Monday, August 12th
A request has been submitted to close Billwood Hwy between Creyts Road and Aberdeen Dr. – Not sure of dates yet
Performing regular maintenance on bridges helps improve and extend the service life of these structures. Closing lanes during this type of work is necessary to provide the safest work area possible for crews and motorists.
What Is Being Done?
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will invest about $1.3 million to perform critical preventive maintenance and repair work on the eastbound and westbound I-96 bridges over the Grand River and Billwood Highway in Eaton County.
How Traffic Will Be Affected:
All work will be done one direction at a time with all lanes closed on the structure being repaired. Each closure is expected to take place over nine consecutive days (dates will be announced in advance).
During each closure, traffic will be detoured using US-127 and I-69.
Periodic nighttime lane closures will take place throughout the project to accomplish remaining work.
NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION
TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2019
EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN
To the Qualified Electors of Eaton County, Charter Township of Windsor:
Notice is hereby given that a special election will be held in Windsor Charter Township on Tuesday, August 6, 2019. The polls of said election will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
For the purpose of voting on the following proposal:
Potterville Public Schools
Operating Millage Renewal Proposal
Exempting Principal Residence
And Other Property Exempted by Law
20 Mills for 10 Years
Full text of the ballot proposal may be obtained at the administrative offices of Potterville Public Schools, 420 North High Street, Potterville, Michigan 48876-9605, telephone: (517) 645-2662.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE THAT THE BONDS OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, IF APPROVED BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE ELECTORS AT THIS ELECTION, WILL BE GENERAL OBLIGATION UNLIMITED TAX BONDS PAYABLE FROM GENERAL AD VALOREM TAXES.
Sample ballots can be found at www.mi.gov/vote. To comply with the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), voting instructions will be available in audio format and in Braille. Arrangements for obtaining the instructions in these alternative formats can be made by contacting the township clerk in advance of the election. All polling locations are accessible for voters with disabilities.
Registered voters may contact the township clerk’s office, 405 W. Jefferson St., Dimondale, MI 48821, to obtain an application for an absent voter ballot. For any other questions relating to the election process, please contact the clerk’s office at 517-646-0772 or clerk@windsortownship.com.
Polling Location for this Special Election is at Precinct No. 3, 300 Oak St., Dimondale, MI 48821.
This notice is given as required by law (MCL 168.653a).
LISA RUMSEY
WINDSOR CHARTER TOWNSHIP CLERK
WINDSOR CHARTER TOWNSHIP
ORDINANCE 25 (FF)
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ZONING MAP, BEING A PART OF
ORDINANCE NO. 25 OF WINDSOR CHARTER TOWNSHIP
WINDSOR CHARTER TOWNSHIP ORDIANS:
Section 1. The Zoning Districts Map, which by section 5.1.2 of said Ordinance No. 25 is made a part of said Ordinance and which section reads as follows:
Zoning District Map: The boundaries of these districts are hereby defined and established as shown on a map entitled “Zoning Districts Map of Windsor Township, Eaton County, Michigan” which accompanies this Ordinance and which map with all explanatory matter thereon is hereby made a part of this Ordinance.
That the Windsor Charter Township Zoning Ordinance be amended and that the Zoning District Map be changed to indicate a change in zoning for one parcel, Tax Parcel Number: 080-003-200-060-00, in Section 3, Commonly known as 7967 Creyts Road, Windsor Township, Eaton County, Michigan, from B-2 (Highway Service) to M-1 (Light Industrial).
Section 2. This Ordinance will be considered for adoption at the regular meeting of the Windsor Township Board scheduled for 7:30 pm on Tuesday, May 14, 2019. Said Ordinance shall become effective upon the date of final publication as provided by law.
Windsor Charter Township
Marcus Braman, Supervisor
Lisa A. Rumsey, Clerk
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WINDSOR CHARTER TOWNSHIP
ORDINANCE 25 (EE)
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ZONING MAP, BEING A PART OF
ORDINANCE NO. 25 OF WINDSOR CHARTER TOWNSHIP
WINDSOR CHARTER TOWNSHIP ORDIANS:
Section 1. The Zoning Districts Map, which by section 5.1.2 of said Ordinance No. 25 is made a part of said Ordinance and which section reads as follows:
Zoning District Map: The boundaries of these districts are hereby defined and established as shown on a map entitled “Zoning Districts Map of Windsor Township, Eaton County, Michigan” which accompanies this Ordinance and which map with all explanatory matter thereon is hereby made a part of this Ordinance.
That the Windsor Charter Township Zoning Ordinance be amended and that the Zoning District Map be changed to indicate a change in zoning for three parcels, Tax Parcel Number: 080-010-100-003-00, 080-010-100-004-00 and 080-010-100-010-00, described as N ½ of the NW ¼, Except Highway in NW Corner; and Except the East 330 FT in Section 10 T3N, R3W, Windsor Township, Eaton County, Michigan, from PUD (Planned Unit Development) to M-1 (Industrial).
Section 2. This Ordinance will be considered for adoption at the regular meeting of the Windsor Township Board scheduled for 7:30 pm on Tuesday, May 22, 2018. Said Ordinance shall become effective upon the date of final publication as provided by law.
Windsor Charter Township
Marcus Braman, Supervisor
Lisa A. Rumsey, Clerk
WINDSOR CHARTER TOWNSHIP
ORDINANCE 25 (DD)
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ZONING MAP, BEING A PART OF
ORDINANCE NO. 25 OF WINDSOR CHARTER TOWNSHIP
WINDSOR CHARTER TOWNSHIP ORDIANS:
Section 1. The Zoning Districts Map, which by section 5.1.2 of said Ordinance No. 25 is made a part of said Ordinance and which section reads as follows:
Zoning District Map: The boundaries of these districts are hereby defined and established as shown on a map entitled “Zoning Districts Map of Windsor Township, Eaton County, Michigan” which accompanies this Ordinance and which map with all explanatory matter thereon is hereby made a part of this Ordinance.
That the Windsor Charter Township Zoning Ordinance be amended and that the Zoning District Map be changed to indicate a change in zoning for 5906 N. Canal Road from R-1A (One-Family Rural Residential) to B-2 (Highway Service) for the following described parcel:
Tax Parcel Number: 080-015-300-066-00: A parcel of land in the Southwest ¼ of the Southwest ¼ of Section 15, T3N, R3W, Windsor Township, Eaton County, Michigan, described as: Commencing at the Southwest corner of said Section 15; thence N00o14’44”W, along the section line, 336.00 feet to the point of beginning of this description; thence continuing N00o14’44”W, along the section line 225.66 feet, thence N88o48’36”E, 205.04 feet; thence N89o45’34”E, 609.49 feet; thence S00o14’44”E, 229.06 feet; thence S89o45’34”W, 814.50 feet to beginning. The lands described above contain 4.28 acres more or less. NOTE: The Northerly property line of this parcel is common with the approximate Northerly line of concrete block wall between the two existing businesses, in the area of course N88o48’36”E, 205.04 feet.
Section 2. This Ordinance will be considered for adoption at the regular meeting of the Windsor Township Board scheduled for 7:30 pm on Tuesday, August 22, 2017. Said Ordinance shall become effective upon the date of final publication as provided by law.
Windsor Charter Township
Marcus Braman, Supervisor
Lisa A. Rumsey, Clerk
-
- Zoning Ordinance No. 25 Amendment – To provide for the zoning regulation of Commercial Medical Marihuana Facilitiesand Primary Caregiver Operations; designate such Facilities and Operations as special uses
WINDSOR CHARTER TOWNSHIP
ORDINANCE 25 (CC)
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ZONING MAP, BEING A PART OF
ORDINANCE NO. 25 OF WINDSOR CHARTER TOWNSHIP
WINDSOR CHARTER TOWNSHIP ORDIANS:
Section 1. The Zoning Districts Map, which by section 5.1.2 of said Ordinance No. 25 is made a part of said Ordinance and which section reads as follows:
Zoning District Map: The boundaries of these districts are hereby defined and established as shown on a map entitled “Zoning Districts Map of Windsor Township, Eaton County, Michigan” which accompanies this Ordinance and which map with all explanatory matter thereon is hereby made a part of this Ordinance.
That the Windsor Charter Township Zoning Ordinance be amended and that the Zoning District Map be changed to indicate a change in zoning for three Creyts Road Properties as described below:
Tax Parcel Number: 080-002-100-022-00 from R-1M (Multiple Family Residential) to M-1 (Industrial): Part of the Northwest fractional ¼ of Section 2, Town 3 North, Range 3 West, Windsor Township, Eaton County, Michigan, described as follows: Commencing at the NW corner of said Section 2; thence N90o00’00” East along the North line of said Section 2 a distance of 510.00 feet to the point of beginning; thence N90o00’00” East continuing along said North line 1408.32 feet; thence S00o01’13” West 1324.64 feet to a point on an intermediate traverse line, said point being N00o01’13” East 13.00 feet, more or less, from the water’s edge of the Grand River; thence along said intermediate traverse line the following four courses: (1) N68o01’05” West 258.93 feet; (2) S76o14’51” West 215.97 feet; (3) S60o01’45” West 290.16 feet; (4) S15o30’26” West 109.80 feet to the end of said intermediate traverse line, said point being S89o39’13” West 40.00 feet more or less from the water’s edge of the Grand River; thence S89o39’13” West 199.17 feet; thence S00o20’47” East 100 feet; thence South 89o39’13” West 990.20 feet to the West line of said Section 2; thence N00o03’09” East along said West line 1267.01 feet; thence N90o00’00” East parallel with said North line 510.00 feet; thence N00o03’09” East parallel with said West line a distance of 370.00 feet to the Point of Beginning, including all the lands lying between the intermediate traverse line and the water’s edge of the Grand River.
Tax Parcel Number: 080-003-200-041-00 from B-2 (Highway Service) to M-1 (Industrial): Land situated in Section 3, Town 3 North, Range 3 West, of the Township of Windsor, Eaton County, Michigan, described as follows: NE FRL ¼ lying SE of Hwy, US-27, & E of Hwy 1-96 R/W, EX N 26 Rods, & Except S 10 Rods.
Tax Parcel Number: 080-003-200-051-00 from B-2 (Highway Service) to M-1 (Industrial): Land situated in Section 3, Town 3 North, Range 3 West, of the Township of Windsor, Eaton County, Michigan, described as follows: Commencing at the NE Corner Section 3, West 414.68 feet to SLY R/W line of Hwy US-27, S44o01’55” West 605.29 feet along Hwy R/W, East 615.89 feet, North 250 feet, East 227 feet, North 177.60 feet to beginning.
Section 2. This Ordinance will be considered for adoption at the regular meeting of the Windsor Township Board scheduled for 7:30 pm on Tuesday, August 22, 2017. Said Ordinance shall become effective upon the date of final publication as provided by law.
Windsor Charter Township
Marcus Braman, Supervisor
Lisa A. Rumsey, Clerk
The Windsor Charter Township Planning Commission will be holding meetings on the township’s Capital Improvement Plan on the following dates: Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at 7:00 pm and Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at 7:00 pm. They will be held in the township meeting room at 300 W. Jefferson, Dimondale, MI 48821. Please come to the meetings and give us your input. Your township government wants to hear from you – your suggestions, your opinions, your concerns and your vision of the township’s future. Our citizens are the township’s most valuable resource. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend.
Copies of the Final Windsor Charter Township and Village of Dimondale Comprehensive Plan Amendment available by clicking here.
Windsor Charter Township – Eaton County, Michigan ORDINANCE ADOPTING NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION 1, FIRE CODE, 2015 EDITION
Notice of Posting after Second Reading and Final Adoption Ordinance No. 41 At a meeting of the Township Board of Windsor Charter Township, Eaton County, Michigan, held at the Windsor Charter Township Emergency Services Building on July 14, 2015, at 7:30 p.m., the Township Board introduced for second reading, posting and final adoption a proposed Ordinance adopting the 2015 edition of the National Fire Protection Association 1 Fire Code, proposed Ordinance No. 41. The proposed Ordinance would provide for the adoption and enforcement of the 2015 edition of the National Fire Protection Association 1 Fire Code by Windsor Charter Township; amend certain portions of the 2015 edition of the National Fire Protection Association 1 Fire Code, and address conflicts with currently adopted ordinances.
Copies of the complete text of the proposed Ordinance were posted at the office of the Township Clerk at 405 W. Jefferson St, Dimondale, MI and for review by clicking here. By Order of the Windsor Charter Township Board Marceal J. Dailey, Township Clerk
OFFICES
SUPERVISOR
Kern Slucter
Office Hours:
Tuesday 9am – 1pm
Thursday Noon – 6:00
and by appointment
Address:
300 W. Jefferson Dimondale, MI 48821
Phone:
(517) 648-3528
ASSESSOR
Peter Preston
Office Hours:
Tuesday
9:00 – 4:00 &
Other Hours by appt.
Address:
300 W. Jefferson Dimondale, MI 48821
Phone:
(517) 646-0040
Email:
windsorassessor@gmail.com
TREASURER
Sue Fritts
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday
9:00am – 4:00pm
Address:
405 W. Jefferson Dimondale, MI 48821
Phone:
(517) 646-0772
Fax:
(517) 646-7061
CLERK
Lisa Rumsey
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday
9:00am – 4:00pm
Address:
405 W. Jefferson Dimondale, MI 48821
Phone:
(517) 646-0772
Fax:
(517) 646-7061
Emergency Services
Address:
Building 300 W. Jefferson Dimondale, MI 48821
Phone:
(517) 646-0893