MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - The Meridian Township Management Team released the Township's 2018 Annual Report. The report is compiled of activities provided by each department to provide residents with an overview of 2018 operations.

In 2018 the Township Board began discussing medical marihuana. Two ordinances for Commercial Medical Marihuana Facilities were drafted. A non-zoning ordinance, to establish the process for obtaining a permit, operational requirements and penalties, and a zoning ordinance which would institute six overlay districts where Medical Marihuana Facilities would be allowed. Development of the legislation will continue in 2019.

The community worked to make significant amends with Nassar survivor Brianne Randall-Gay and the other 300 plus victims. Community-wide sexual assault training, department-wide criminal sexual conduct training and a review and analysis of criminal sexual conduct cases have been implemented.

A plan to fix paved local roads estimated the need for $3.5 million per year within a 10-year period. The 2019 budget has allocated $1 million to local roads. The Transportation Commission discussed the issue for several months and has proposed a road millage increase to the Township Board.

Frank Walsh, Township Manager, presented the report before the Board at the Feb. 5th Township Board meeting. Walsh, did not go into details as the document has been discussed at previous meetings. He did express his gratitude to those involved in the creation of the document.

"I want to thank all the folks to my right at this table and others that are not here this evening for all their great work that they put in in 2018 and the work combined to put this report together."

The 2018 Annual Report can be found on file at the Clerk's Office, both libraries and posted on the Township's website. Meridian Township Officials will continue efforts in 2019 to work for the betterment of the community.