Church Road residents complain of no notice, fear heavy special‑assessment bills

At the Environmental Public Works portion of the county committee meeting on April 2, residents from Church Road urged commissioners to delay work and provide clearer notice if a paving project proceeds.

"We have received absolutely no correspondence," said resident Elizabeth Seto, who said she had contacted the road commission and township but had been told only to watch for crews marking trees. Seto asked for precise information on timing, scope and who will pay special assessments if ditching and culvert work proceeds.

Michelle Cavenary, another Church Road resident who presented a petition signed by neighbors, said many residents on the road are seniors and could be unable to pay heavy assessments. "Our ditches are dangerous… They're calling it road maintenance. I think it's a little bit more than resurfacing," she said, adding that residents feared deeper ditches and tree removal. Both asked county staff to connect them with road commission officials and follow up after the meeting.

Why it matters: Residents expressed concern about communication, potential special assessments tied to ditching and culvert work, and the safety implications of deeper ditches. Commissioners acknowledged the road commission is an independent entity and asked staff and local commissioners to help connect residents to the proper road‑commission contacts.

Next steps: Staff and commissioners offered to follow up by collecting contact information from the speakers and reaching out to the road commission. Residents were asked to provide phone numbers and petition copies so staff could pursue answers and consider shifting the meeting location if large attendance is expected.