Menards Escrow Released, Illegal Dumping Culprit Put to Work in Hartland

The Hartland Township board approved the release of funds held in two escrow accounts during Tuesday night’s board meeting.

The first was for the Wolcast Corporation for the amount of $500 established for the renovation project for the exterior facade at the Hartland McDonald’s. 

The second amount was for $711.27 to Menards, which had requested in an email to the township on Dec. 17 that the remaining balance in the established escrow account be released. The home improvement store had considered building a store in the Hartland Towne Square but announced in August that they had decided not to pursue the project.

“Name The Place” contest

Hartland Township Manager James Wickman announced that the deadline had passed for the “Name That Place” contest and the township had received several dozen submissions.

The “Name That Place” contest encouraged the community to send in their suggestions for three new Hartland locations including two new parks currently under construction and the former Hartland Township building, which will be used as a community building and currently houses the Hartland teen center.

The names are being reviewed and the next steps in the process are being discussed. 

The Michigan Land Bank

A meeting was held between township members and the Michigan Land Bank, whose mission, according to its website, “is to promote economic growth in this state through the acquisition, assembly and disposal of public property.”

Wickman said during Tuesday’s meeting that the connection with the Land Bank may be a “good fit” for the township in regards to vacant property in Hartland.

“At the very least,” Wickman said, “we can both get our properties in their database so their efforts and promotions of the Lank Bank will help our efforts.”

If Hartland chooses to participate, it could be one of the first communities to take advantage of the new initiative.

Illegal dumping in Hartland

The township has discovered the culprit in an illegal dumping incident, which took place in Hartland.

“Like any rural community, we have too many incidents, unfortunately, where people think they can dump things in rural areas,” Wickman said.

According to Wickman, the person responsible was caught and a resolution was reached where rather than ticket the offender, the person was put to work cleaning the illegal dumping site. 

 “I think that person now knows if your going to dump illegally, don’t do it in Hartland Township,” Wickman said.