Rose Township officials reconsider on Neighborhood Stabilization Program

ROSE TOWNSHIP, Michigan – After suspending the government-funded Neighborhood Stabilization Program last month, township officials have decided to possibly give it another shot.

Rose Township began the NSP process in October of 2008, with plans for using the $524,763 in allotted funds to renovate and refurbish foreclosed properties in the township. With the promise for reimbursement from the program, the township began refurbishing several properties, billing over $100,000 in materials and wages to the program.

In order to continue with the program, Supervisor Alison Kalcec said the township would have had to begin taking money out of investments. “That’s why we decided to suspend the program last month,” she said. “We didn’t want to lose the interest on those investments.”

At Wednesday’s Rose Township Board of Trustees meeting, Kalcec said the township had since received a check in the amount of $89,000 with the promise that another $14,000 is on the way.

Kalcec said Building Official Dave Schang requested that she bring the matter back to the board, asking them to resume the program since money has finally been received. Kalcec said Schang has two more properties that he would like to bring into the program.

Treasurer Sue Slaughter said she thought it best to wait and fully resume the program only after the outstanding monies are refunded.

“I think Mr. Schang should possibly resume the program when we get full reimbursement and we’re back at square one again,” Kalcec agreed. “When all of the reimbursement requests that he’s submitted are paid, we can go forward with the program.”

In a vote of 5-0, township officials voted in favor of authorizing Schang to continue with the NSP program after all submitted reimbursement requests have been paid.