State closes file on resident’s complaint against Rose Township

ROSE TOWNSHIP, Michigan – Rose Township officials are beginning to see a flickering light at the end of the tunnel after receiving a letter on Monday, informing them that the state is closing the file on a complaint made by Rose Township resident Lyle Barger last August.

Barger made the complaint after his wife, township Treasurer Sue Slaughter, allegedly fell down a flight of stairs leading to the basement of Rose Township’s 9080 Mason St. office in June. In his complaint, Barger questioned construction codes, barrier-free access and American Disability Act compliance for the facility.

In October, township officials gave Supervisor Alison Kalcec the green light on filing an Application of Exception with the State of Michigan, an agreement that, if approved, would give the township up to five years to make the necessary upgrades to the Rose Township offices.

As part of that process, a month later, the Rose Township Board of Trustees selected a bid not to exceed $3,000 by Redstone Architects of West Bloomfield to conduct a field review of the building, identify barrier-free accessibility issues in the form of a report, and provide a detailed breakdown of implementation costs with plans, drawings and estimated construction costs.

Additionally, the proposal included an estimate of $28,545 for design work and preparation of construction documents.

On Jan. 27, 2010, Analyst of Local Government and Consumer Services Michael Somers sent a letter to Barger informing him that the agency was closing the file on his complaint.

Somers acknowledged that Rose Township officials had engaged the services of Redstone Architects for a comprehensive audit of the township’s facilities for compliance with barrier-free accessibility requirements. “The Township will provide the Bureau’s Plan Review Division with a copy of the audit for review to determine whether action by the Barrier Free Design Board will be necessary,” Somers wrote.

Additionally, Somers said his agency had received the township’s Application for Barrier Free Exception, and that the Plan Review Division had asked that the application be held until the audit report is completed. Somers said township officials will review the findings of the audit and consider the available options to achieve compliance. “It is indicated that the formal process to seek an exception may be initiated upon the completion of the audit,” he said.

“The Township’s written responses and copies of documentation provided to the Bureau indicate that the Township is taking appropriate actions to address and resolve the outstanding barrier free issues,” Somers said. “Therefore, since it has been determined that Rose Township is taking appropriate actions to properly resolve the issues that fall under the scope of authority of this agency, we are closing the file.”

On Wednesday, Barger expressed his dismay over the letter. “I’m disappointed and appalled because nothing has been submitted to the State of Michigan regarding the complaint,” he said.

Kalcec said Redstone Architects’ barrier-free access audit has been completed and will be discussed and hopefully approved at the Feb.10 Rose Township Board of Trustees meeting.

“I am pleased with the cooperation we have seen from the Bureau of Construction Codes in resolving these issues and am hoping that soon, we can move onto other business that impacts the community,” Kalcec said on Wednesday. “Implementation discussions can begin as soon as the report is approved by the board and forwarded to the Bureau.”