Previously I brought up the subject of the Village Green, how it was conceived as a perfect place in the Hamlet. Also, I mentioned how it was built through the generous contribution of funds and services by many people and businesses. No matter how often they have been thanked through phone calls and letters, it doesn‘t seem adequate. Now I would like to list everyone that helped to make a vision come true, so you will know who they are and can thank if there is an opportunity.
Cash contributions were divided into 3 categories: Platinum, Gold and Silver, as well as a category for Service Contributors. I'd like to show you a picture of the sign that lists these contibutors, but it has mysteriously disappeared from township property - coincidentally right before the November 2 election.
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Platinum Contributions - $17,000 Dr. Jay & Wanda Moon Fox Hills Golf & Banquet Center Gary & Sherry Whittaker Northville Crossing Venture LLC Gold Contributions - $8,000 All American Storage Dr. Ann Cavendar Fred & Gina Roperti Garan Lucow Miller PC International Transportation Co. (ITC) Larry Sant, Builder McClain & Winters PC R&R Heavy Haulers Rotundo Brothers Schostak Brothers & Co. Silver Contributions - $2,575 AA Anchor Bolt Advanced Assessment Technology Chris & Megan Crespi Cribley Well Drilling Don Pennington, Township Planner Dr. Tim & Barbara Dobson Edith’s Market Eugene & Paula Hornback Gardner Westcott Co. Karl’s Family Restaurant Lyco Engineering Maria Kearns Plymouth Office Supply Post Smythe Lutz & Ziel LLP Ron & Joan Handloser R&R Fire Truck Repair Salem Hills Golf Club Service Contributions - $23,550 DTE, Utility Provider - Utility Pole & Wiring Dave Herriman, Township Building Inspector - Carpentry Jim Fulkerson, Township Resident - Landscaping Mark Hamilton, Township Fire Chief - Soil Preparation Michael Bruggink, Landscape Architect – Architectural services Pat Curley, Salem Resident - Carpentry Plante Moran, Township Auditors - Accounting Services Reggie DeLuca, Township Resident - Concrete Work R&R Heavy Haulers, Township Business – Trucking Sign Studio, former resident – Township Green Sign Design, Creation and Installation
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The Salem Village Green is in the center of the Hamlet, and is intended to be the heart of the Township.
In December 2002 I drew up a sketch of what I thought it should look like, and a list of guidelines that we wanted to achieve with a Village Green. I turned the sketch over to Michael Bruggink, an Architect, who donated his time, turned the sketch into an architectural drawing showing all the necessary details for future planning and construction work. Engineers from Static Consulting did the surveying work and Engineering Drawings for approval by the Planning Commission at no cost.
In the meantime, a Committee was formed to guide this project. It included Reggie DeLuca, a builder; Dave Herriman a carpenter and Township Building Inspector; and Jim Fulkerson with extensive experience in commercial landscaping. Without their expert guidance, it couldn‘t have been done.
A landscape design contest for ideas was solicited from the residents. Many ideas were submitted. The 3 winners were Denise Palmer, Michelle White, and Sandra Raymond. The donated prizes were a Sunday Brunch for 2 at Fox Hills, a $25 gift certificate for lunch or dinner at Karl’s, and a Fish Fry for two at Fox Hills. Their participation was welcomed and appreciated.
The first major construction project was to lay the foundation for the Gazebo that would be elevated above the normal ground level, put in a complete circular concrete walkway around the Gazebo, and connecting walkways to the Gazebo and to the main entrance. It involved surveying, the addition of fill dirt, installing forms and pouring/finishing the concrete. So much time and work, and all donated from the community!
The next major project was assembling and installing the Gazebo. This was all done by Dave Herriman. The Gazebo was ordered from Amish Country Gazebos in Pennsylvania, I liked theirs the best. They shipped it free to my house in many sections, it looked like an impossible task to assemble and install it on the concrete pad. I hauled it to the park, and in one day Dave Herriman completed the job at no cost. Pat Curley also did some final carpentry detail work. For the first time the place looked like a small village park, it was a wonderful feeling.
The next challenging project was to decide on a sign: how large should it be, what should the sign say, how big should the letters be, what colors, where to install it, etc.? Fortunately, the owner of the Sign Studio in Brighton, Tammy Kornell, was a former Salem resident who heard about the project, stopped in and offered their services to do all the design and installation work. There were a number of trips to Brighton to look at various drafts of ideas until a final decision was made. Each of the fund and service contributors is shown on the back of the sign.
The work continued as time was available to handle all the work and try and make the best decisions. Fill dirt was hauled in and leveled. A well was dug and a sprinkler system installed. New electrical wiring installed to operate the well pump and provide electrical power to the Gazebo. Landscape design and installation was performed by Plymouth Nursery. Choosing the shrubs and perennials, and the trees for shade and color and where to locate them was a challenge.
Lastly, the white 2-rail fence was installed around the perimeter. Gary Whittaker helped on obtaining the fence material and provided the contacts for installation of the fence. We also had the fence and new landscaping installed around the entire Township facility so that there was a consistency in the appearance of the Township complex. Later, we were able to obtain a grant to install new sidewalks in the Hamlet along Six Mile, around the park, and along Salem Road to the Elementary School. It was all part of a concept to make the Hamlet area appear as though it was some small Historic Village seen in places like New England or rural areas of Michigan.
I’m proud to have had the opportunity to participate and help make a vision come true. Then the entire Hamlet area began its revitalization with improvements to the older homes and many new homes built. All made possible with so many people working together, for which I am forever grateful.
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