MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - If you live in or around Meridian Township, you are aware that sometimes flooding occurs. And sometimes it can get pretty bad. That "sometimes" is happening a little too often for the likes of residents and Township officials.

Deputy Township Manager/Director of Public Works, Derek Perry stated that "frequent flooding is an issue on Okemos and Grand River" and it has been for many years. This particular intersection has actually had to close for through traffic. While residents are left asking what will be done to fix this re-occurring issue, the Township is now prepared to dive into possible solutions similar to the Smith Drain which was repaired years ago. Perry asked the Board to approve a request: "authorization to provide dollars to the drain office in order to do the hydrological study." In order to execute the study, the Township would need to "front the drain office the money to complete the study and once the study is complete, we can come up with solutions for those drains that run through there, (Perry)."

While the drain is on very borrowed time, Supervisor Ronald J. Styka questioned whether or not it would be helpful to approve this request sooner than the next meeting. In response, Alan Boyer of LSG Engineers stated that "we were out this past summer supervising the repair to the Grettenberger Drain. It was constructed in 1913 and it's seen better days, and certainly the road department (in there plans to rebuild Okemos Road) has delayed that simply because of the condition of the drain and its need for replacement. So in their eyes, yes time is of the essence."

The cost of the project would be $54,350 and according to Perry, the Township "will require a budget amendment...we typically have about $25,000 budgeted for consulting services so we will need a budget amendment to do that."

The Board approved the request 6-0.