Consolidated Biscuit Company continues study of former Tecumseh Products facility

By JIM LINCOLN

An update on the progress of the due diligence process by Consolidated Biscuit Company (CBC) involving the former Tecumseh Products Company facility was presented Monday night to the Tecumseh City Council by City Manager Kevin Welch.

Welch said site work began last week and will take approximately three to four weeks. Inspection of the plant includes an environmental impact study.  Welch remains optimistic. “There’s no reason to believe that it’s not going to go through,” he said.
Council was also informed that the State of Michigan is reconsidering the city’s request for funding of improvements to Maumee Street.

The city has discussed funding and improvements to Maumee Street with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Michigan Department of Transportation. CBC will use Maumee Street, from Chicago Boulevard to Russell Road with as many as 50 to 75 trucks per day, if plans to open in Tecumseh are realized. Maumee was last surfaced in 2001, however, conditions have since deteriorated.
In other news:

• Council approved the purchase of six Tasers, or stun guns, for use by the police department. The cost of $8,479 to a South Lyon, MI distributor includes accessories and related equipment. Other law enforcement agencies in Lenawee County that have purchased Tasers include the Adrian Police Department, Lenawee County Sheriff’s Department and the State Police.
Tecumseh Police Chief Mack Haun said the incapacitating device will help improve the safety of officers when confronted with belligerent or threatening individuals.

• Future participation on city boards and commissions by students from Tecumseh High School is anticipated. Students would serve as an advisory role only and would not have voting privileges.
In his report to council, City Manager Kevin Welch said, “I think this serves multiple purposes. To gain their input as the next leaders of the community and to help them understand how our government works.”
Students could be included to participate on City Council, the Downtown Development Authority, Planning Commis-sion and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

• A two to three percent increase in the city’s water and sewer rates will not be passed on to residents following council’s approval of a recommendation from the city manager.
A recent review of the utility department’s revenue and expense report called for the increase, however, a possible reduction in the department’s budget, coupled with the poor economy, were cited in a recommendation to absorb the increase.