County road commission, township agree on funds

By Kevin Elliott

Bloomfield Township will receive a four percent increase in the county funds it receives for residential road maintenance for the 2023-24 fiscal year under an agreement approved on Monday, March 13, by the township’s board of trustees.

Under state law, the Oakland County Road Commission (RCOC) is responsible for residential roads in the township, while major roads fall under the county and/or state jurisdiction. As such, Bloomfield Township maintains an annual maintenance agreement with the RCOC to conduct some maintenance service on residential roads for which the RCOC provides funding.

Major roadways, such as Telegraph, Woodward, Square Lake, Maple and Franklin are the responsibility of the RCOC and the Michigan Department of Transportation.

Bloomfield Township Department of Public Works Superintendent Paul Horen said the agreement allows the township to receive funds from the county for maintenance the township conducts on residential roads. That includes emergency maintenance, such as pot holes, fallen trees, drain clean-outs, joint sealing, sealing and overlay work.

The 2023-24 agreement includes an increase of four percent from the 2022-23 agreement, raising the amount from $756,245 to $786,569. Horen said the agreement has traditionally included an annual of increase of two percent paid to the township.

Bloomfield Township Trustee Neal Barnett asked whether the increase will go toward pot holes and other needs in residential areas.

“Yes, this is for what we can get to and fix nearly immediately that doesn't require engineering plans,” Horen said. “The county does pavement replacement and major work. The goal is to provide a high level of service to the residents, immediately. So they don’t have to wait long for maintenance that should be quick.”

Horen said residents can report potholes in residential areas of the township by calling the Bloomfield Township Department of Public Works at 248.594.2800 or emailing road@twp.org. Residents may also fax the department at 248.594.2810.

Bloomfield Township Public Works Director Noah Mehalski said the township has already started working on pot holes and tree clearing from recent storms.

“We get about $700,000 from the RCOC, and we put in another $3 million (for local road work), as well,” Mehalski said. “This week what that looks like after the last couple of storms is that we have over 200 trees that are in some form of pick up at this point. That’s not work in the agreement, but an added value that we provide. When we partner with the RCOC, they see us as someone who brings nearly $4 million to the table. That breeds a partnership with them because they see we are bringing cash to the table as far as our road system.”

Board members unanimously approved the agreement.