Notice for Richland Township
Department of Public Works

Sewer Rate Adjustments to Richland Township Residents
Richland Township adopted new water and sewer rates starting with the new fiscal year on April 1, 2020.  
At a Glance:
  • Starting April 1st 2020 the water rate will increase from $2.25 per 1,000 gallons to $2.52 per 1,000 gallons of use and sewer rates (based on the Saw Grant Information obtained) will go from $40.50 flat rate for under 10,000 gallons to $50.63 and $5.06 per thousand gallons for anything used over 10,000 gallons. The increase in sewer rates was required as part of the Saw Grant to fill the GAP that exist between collection fees and expenses. 

Richland Township Monthly Board Meeting - April 14, 2020 - Richland Township Administrative Office - 1180 N. Hemlock Rd. - 7:00 p.m. 

Richland Township Park Board - April 6, 2020 - Richland Township Administrative Office - 1180 N. Hemlock Rd. - 7:00 p.m.

Richland Township Planning Commission Meeting -April 1, 2020 - Richland Township Administrative Office - 1180 N. Hemlock Rd. - 7:00 p.m. Meeting has been cancelled.  Next meeting is scheduled for May 6, 2020. 

   
                                    AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM WASTE MANAGEMENT 

Because of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Federal and State Declarations of Emergency have been issued that recommend non-essential employees shelter in place and work from home when possible to promote social distancing. As a result, Waste Management has significantly reduced its “field” work force and is focusing on the performance of essential services during this unprecedented emergency. Because of its importance to the health and safety of our society, municipal solid waste collection and disposal is deemed an “essential service” in most instances, and so Waste Management’s employees dedicated to collecting and disposing of trash are in the field continuing to perform this critical function. 

In order for Waste Management to maintain its focus on municipal solid waste collection and disposal, and due to the reduced number of employees in the field, effective Wednesday, April 1, 2020, Waste Management is temporarily suspending the performance of the following services, which are non-essential during this period of emergency:

Bulk Collection – furniture, carpet, mattresses, appliances, etc. 

When the Declarations of Emergency and social distancing recommendations have been eased and Waste Management’s work force returns to pre-pandemic levels, these services will be restarted. Waste Management will provide notice when the service(s) will resume. We have been a part of this community for many years and know that together we will be resilient. Thank you for your partnership during this critical time. 

Volunteers Are Needed!
The Saginaw County Commission on Aging Hemlock Dining Site is seeking volunteers to help in the Dining Room, Kitchen and Delivery Volunteers that would like to deliver meals to seniors.  You can volunteer on Monday, Wednesday or Friday.  The Congregate (Dining) Site is open from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  Help is very much appreciated. 
If you are interested in volunteering or need additional information, please contact Shirley Dunbar, Hemlock Center Manager at 989-642-2610.  






IMPORTANT 2020 CENSUS INFORMATION

Counting every person living in the United States is a massive undertaking. With the 2020 Census date approaching here are some important dates to remember:

January 2020: The Census Bureau begins counting the population in remote Alaska.

April 1, 2020: Census Day is observed nationwide. By this date, every home will receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census. Once the invitation arrives, you should respond for your home in one of three ways: online, by phone, or by mail. When you respond to the census, you tell the Census Bureau where you live as of April 1, 2020.

April 2020: Census takers begin visiting college students who live on campus, people living in senior centers, and others who live among large groups of people. Census takers also begin conducting quality check interviews to help ensure an accurate count.

May 2020: The Census Bureau begins visiting homes that haven't responded to the 2020 Census to make sure everyone is counted.

December 2020: The Census Bureau delivers apportionment counts to the President and Congress as required by law.

March 31, 2021: By this date, the Census Bureau will send redistricting counts to states. This information is used to redraw legislative districts based on population changes.
Census Day 2020

April 1 is Census Day, a key reference date for the 2020 Census. When completing the census, you will include everyone living in your home on April 1. Census Day will be celebrated with events across the country.

The 2020 Census is extremely important as it provides critical data to lawmakers, business owners and schools, not to mention many other departments use the information to provide support to our community. Every year billions of dollars in federal funding go to hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, and other resources.

It is almost 2020 Census Time.  I am aware of many initiatives across our 14 County Region to Get the Count.  Here are some links to resources and information that you can easily share in your communities:  These were provided to me from Chloe Noelle Updegraff, MPH, Regional Census Hub Coordinator, Great Lakes Bay Region.  Chloe has attended two of our RED Team meetings to discuss the 2020 Census initiatives and provide us with resources:
 
 
1. Once you receive your packet with your 12 digit code from the US Census Bureau you will go online starting March 12, 2020.  If you don't have access to a computer, the Rauchholz Memorial library has computers resident's may use and the township will have a computer resident's may use: https://my2020census.gov/
 
2.Guide to taking the Census online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCM0XrSynFw
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3.Census Bureau efforts to count people living in transitory situations: https://census.gov/library/stories/2020/03/people-in-transitory-living-situations-will-be-counted-in-the-2020-census.html?utm_campaign=20200302msacos1ccstors&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
4.From the MI Secretary of State regarding posting/sharing info about Census at polling places: People soliciting the collection of census data or talking to voters about the census must do so 100 feet away from the polling place entrance. Items provided by the Census Bureau or the State Complete Count Committee may be posted or displayed in a polling place as long as they do not include the name of any elected official on the ballot.
5.The State of Michigan's Census 2020 phone number is 833-8CENSUS. It's my understanding that this will act as a clearinghouse for all census related inquiries, including disinformation. The Census Bureau also strongly encourages individuals to report inaccurate, suspicious or fraudulent activities/information via email atrumors@census.gov; via social media accounts “@USCensusBureau”; or call the Census Bureau Customer Service Hotline at 1-800-923-8282
 

Richland Township Registered Voters
Absentee Ballot Automatic Absent Voter List
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ith the passage of Proposal 3 in November of 2018, voting by absentee is now easier than ever as receiving an absentee ballot no longer requires voters to provide a reason for requesting an absentee ballot. The Richland Township Clerk's Office now maintains an Automatic Absent Voter List in order to assist voters with receiving ballots in a prompt manner. All voters on the Automatic Absent Voter List are automatically sent an absentee ballot application for each election scheduled in the Township of Richland. From this automatic absent voter list, absentee voter applications are mailed out 6-8 weeks prior to each election. If you would like to be placed on our Automatic Absent Voter List, forms are available at the Richland Township Office or by emailing the Richland Township Clerk at rhrichlandgov@gmail.com, with your name, address, and year of birth.

Beginning October 1, 2020, residents will need to present a REAL ID-compliant document to fly in the U.S. and enter certain federal facilities under federal law.  Learn more about obtaining a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or state ID at Michigan.gov/REALID