Pubdate: Fri, 27 Jul 2012
Source: Voice, The (New Baltimore, MI)
Copyright: 2012 Journal Register Company
Contact:  http://www.voicenews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5146
Author: Courtney Flynn

NEW BALTIMORE'S MARIJUANA MORATORIUM EXTENDED

The New Baltimore City Council once again extended their medical
marijuana moratorium at their July 23 meeting, this time for three
months.

With the moratorium now set to expire in October, Councilman Ken
Butler said there were still some items he wanted to clarify with the
Planning Commission. Butler was out of town and could not be reached
following the meeting.

The council was set to adopt a new medical marijuana ordinance at
their July 9 meeting, which would have allowed the sale and growth in
the city's industrial area. However, New Baltimore Police Chief Tim
Wiley said at the July 9 meeting he was concerned about items in the
ordinance such as what rights a tenant has in a rental property if
they were a registered medical marijuana caregiver. There are also
concerns over a registered caretaker being able to grow it in their
home, despite what the state law allows.

Originally, it was suggested the newly-extended moratorium last
through March; however Butler made the motion that it end in October
so the proposed ordinance can move forward.

While this topic that has been on the minds of city officials for
years now - they were faced with a more timely, and hotter, topic that
evening.

Residents from the Hidden Ridge subdivision, where a home burned down
on Danielle Street last month, asked city officials why there was a
loss of water for about 20 minutes during the duration of the fire
that left the home as a total loss.

Water Superintendent Andy Messina provided the same answer to the
residents as he did The Voice two weeks ago. Messina said because of
the elevation of the subdivision, which he estimated to be about 20
feet higher where the water department is, pressure is not as forceful
as it is in other locations throughout the city.

The fire hydrants in the city are supposed to produce about 1,500
gallons of water per minute, but a test on the hydrants near the
Danielle Street home days following the fire produced 920 gallons,
Messina said.

"Why are we having this pumping problem," Councilman Karl Rutledge
asked, further inquiring if it were a structural issue.

Messina again said it had to do with the elevation. However, residents
were not content with this answer and then asked why the 25 Mile Road
Chesterfield Township locate fire hydrant was recommended to be used
should another fire occur. Messina said that fire hydrant would be
used as a supplement so two different waterlines could be used to get
the maximum amount of water.

Following this answer, residents then asked if Chesterfield Township
experienced similar water pressure issues on the 25 Mile Road located
hydrant because of elevation, especially since that water is pumped
from Detroit. While Messina said he couldn't accurately answer that,
Chesterfield Township Department of Public Works Supervisor Joe
Gayeski said changes in water pressure throughout municipalities are
common. He could not specifically speak about the 25 Mile Road located
hydrant though.

"Every community has highs and lows in their system," he
said.

Messina later added the reason residents in that area had been
experiencing lower water pressure than normal before the fire was
because a valve had been closed to keep chlorine levels at the
mandated state level; the valve was open for the fire though.

Fire Chief Ken Lawfield said while the loss of water pressure did
hinder the firefighters from putting the fire in a timelier manner he
isn't sure the damage done to the home would have been any less.

Following a request from a resident to have an outside firm evaluate
the waterlines, Mayor Larry Smith said it would be looked into.
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