Shelby Township

Dear Fellow Residents:

Our Township is committed to helping our citizens in time of need. Currently, as you know, there are significant water drainage issues and we are working to help solve these problems as best as we can. Since we don’t own the drains or the lakes that are causing such concern, we have to coordinate with others to get the desired result. Taxpayers are looking for leadership, and as Township Supervisor I am determined to give residents the leadership that they want and need to get things done.

Our Board of Trustees and our township team of experts have worked skillfully to bring about an effective resolution. I commend everyone involved for their time and expertise.

Feel free to review the summaries of our Township’s major activities below – of what we have done and what we are doing to get the desired result. If you have concerns or other ideas, please email me at rstathakis@shelbytwp.org. Thank you.

Rick Stathakis
Supervisor, Shelby Township

SUPERVISOR QUARRY LAKE Timeline

Quarry Lake

Week of April 13th

After briefing, Supervisor asked AEW to discuss the under drain system with the property owner of Ken’s Lake. Owner explored the pipe system and discovered it was full of debris. Water flow was restored by property owner and water level receded two feet. Note: Ken’s Lake is not connected to Quarry Lake Area.
Township Engineer and DPW walked Section 30 (Quarry Lake Area) in search of storm drain pipes and outlets connected to Clinton River. Found two outlets connected to Clinton River.
After briefing, Supervisor requested that AEW and DPW report to the Macomb County Health Department, suspicious odors and color of both outlets to the Clinton River.
Supervisor, DPW and AEW met with six property owners to discuss ground water and sump-pump issues they were encountering.

Week of April 20th

Determined that the lake and under drain system are private and not publicly owned or operated.
Supervisor requested continued research efforts with Township, Road Commission, Drain Commission, MDEQ, AEW, and other Engineers.
Research grant opportunities initiated for lake, river, and stream improvements, that are not normally included in a municipalities budget. Efforts are ongoing.

Week of April 27th

Supervisor requested AEW and DPW to meet with major land holder representatives concerning history of water elevation and under- drain pipe systems around landfills that are connected to the Clinton River.

Week of May 4th

After meeting with Supervisor, AEW contacted the Michigan DEQ and other agencies regarding records associated with the under drain systems.

Week of May 11th

Reviewed grant opportunities.
DPW and AEW met with a group of approximately 40 residents in the township hall lobby during the regularly scheduled Board of Trustee’s Meeting. It was discovered that ground water and sump-pump issues were encompassing a larger area than originally thought. The areas include generally 4 Bears Lake and Quarry Lake.
Supervisor scheduled a special informational meeting on Tuesday May 19th to discuss progress.

Week of May 18th

Supervisor called special meeting to discuss specific objectives with AEW and DPW. The objectives were formulated as follows:

Improve the existing outlet to the Clinton River
Provide new outlet to Clinton River
Develop a long term solution
Time Frame:

Short Term- Construct new 12” outlet to existing system within 3 weeks
Long Term- Concurrent with any development, construct 36” pipe outlet to the Clinton River

May 19th, met with the residents of the area in the Board Room to review the situation and progress. Also heard from residents throughout the community that had similar but unrelated ground water issues. Supervisor scheduled a follow up meeting for Tuesday May 26th for updates.
Supervisor promised to contact the property owner to discuss voluntarily halting fill operations until the new outlet is constructed. By noon the next day, the filling of the lake had been halted.
Discussions continued with property owner and his engineer to design and construct a connection from Quarry Lake to the existing under drain system.

Week of May 25th

At the update meeting with the residents, Supervisor reported that fill operations had ceased within 24 hours of the request being made.
Property owner moved construction equipment to site and began proceeding with the construction.
Supervisor scheduled a special meeting to take place on Wednesday June 3rd for update.

Sewer Tap Site on North End of Quarry Lake just South of Hamlin Rd.

Week of June 1st

Property owner and contractor attempted to connect lake to under-drain pipe system. Attempt unsuccessful due to soil and water conditions.
Contractor installed pump in the lake and is pumping into the under-drain pipe system.
Contractor is reorganizing efforts to make the tap. No schedule set.
Meeting with residents occurred June 3 to give update on progress.
Supervisor agreed to explore the long term outlet in a shorter time frame and coordinate a joint meeting with all appropriate governmental agencies.

Week of June 8th

Property owner continues to pump lake on a 24 hour basis.
Lake is approximately 10 inches lower than measured high water elevation.
DPW and Engineer will meet with owner next week to discuss method and schedule to tap existing storm system for second attempt.
Ken’s lake is still flowing into storm sewer system, lake is approximately 3 feet lower than measured elevation.

Week of June 15th

The lake is approximately 12 inches lower than the measured high water elevation.
Pumping continues on a 24 hour basis.
The property owner will attempt to make the tap to the existing storm sewer system during the week of June 29th.
The township is in the process of developing an action plan for the long term drainage outlet.

Week of June 22nd

Significant rainfall events have resulted in a slightly higher lake elevation but a general downward trend continues.
Pumping continues on a 24 hour basis
Township Supervisor met with the DPW Director, Planner and Engineer to develop action plan for long term solution

Discussed possible outlets, costs and funding sources
Concluded that the first step is to revise the master plan to reflect current conditions, changes to development trends(residential vs industrial) and an independent outlet to the Clinton River.

FOUR BEARS LAKE Timeline

Four Bears Lake