Volunteers needed for continued tornado cleanup work in Dexter Township
Dexter Township officials are looking for volunteers eager to help with the continued cleanup of debris this weekend.
Pat Kelly, Dexter Township supervisor, said they are looking for volunteers throughout the weekend to help with more cleanup efforts before debris pickup starts Monday.
The debris removal trucks will start at the Carriage Hills subdivision and will visit all affected private and public roads in the township throughout the week.
Kelly said the goal is to collect as much debris as possible to be ready for Monday's pickup.
"We’re really hoping volunteers can come put and help give that last big push," Kelly said. "It could be as simple as helping to rake someone's yard."
Anyone wanting to volunteer for debris cleanup can visit the Dexter Township Hall, which will be open Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Volunteer groups will be staging operations and ride pooling from the township hall parking lot.
Area residents will also have access to a wood chipper located at the entrance of the Hudson Mills Golf Course on Dexter-Pinckney Road. Wood and shrub debris from any area affected by the tornado may be transported directly to the chipper for disposal.
Large garbage bins for construction debris, such as siding, shingles, gutters and insulation, will be available at the Dexter Township Hall, inside the Carriage Hills subdivision and at the corner of North Territorial and Dexter-Townhall roads. The bins are expected to be in place until Friday, April 6.
For more information regarding the debris pickup, click here.
Volunteers looking to do more than debris cleanup are encouraged to fill out a survey on the Dexter Township website where they can describe the type of help they're willing to provide. Kelly said Dexter residents looking for help will have access to the list of volunteers.
"If someone needs a certain kind of help, we can look right at the list," she said. "It helps keep everything organized. Part of our function is to exchange information with the people on the lists. We love to see volunteers and connect them with those who need help."
Comments
Joelle Moroz
Sat, Apr 7, 2012 : 1:20 p.m.
Hello everyone, I'm on Dexter Ann Arbor Road, in Scio Township, just outside the village limits. Huron Farms is behind my 3.12 acres. I had a small forest of pines, 30-40 feet high, and lost approximately 50 or more of these stately beauties during the tornado. My neighbor, who owns a two apartment building, had to relocate his renters due to damage to his roof and ceilings caving in. Further down Dexter Ann Arbor Road, a neighbor had the porch of his house torn off. After that, I believe the storm lifted off. We have had volunteers immediately following the storm assist with some clean up. I'm making very slow progress cleaning up the pines. Everyone is very busy with storm damage. Thanks to those who have helped in the past. I will continue to need assistance with storm clean up as will neighbors down Dexter Ann Arbor Road.
hmsp
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 3:46 a.m.
Well, slug and pss have given me almost identical answers, so I'm willing to go with those unless/until someone gives me more authoritative answers to trump them. I charged up the trailer's deep-cycle battery the other day just in case, so I should be able to do a few dozen 6-yard dumps this weekend, if not more. See you there!
melissa08
Sun, Apr 1, 2012 : 11:40 p.m.
Additionally, we are on the river so many trees landed on the bank and in the river. My Webster township property line ends at the high water marker and across the river is Dexter township. The river belongs to the State of Michigan so really, the State should come and clean it out. Right now, I've been told 'no' a couple of times but I 'll keep plugging away and my friends will keep hauling huge trees out of the river that everyone enjoys. If any one has any ideas ( because the river is full of a bazillion trees right now) please, please let me know.
melissa08
Sun, Apr 1, 2012 : 11:32 p.m.
Our insurance would only reimburse $1000 towards trees that fell on structures. Stump removal is about $500 each. Insurance barely put a dent in what the bill could have been. We had three trees that landed on structures and 20 more that didn't. Thanks to great friends and family offering time, energy, tools, gas and machinery we are making a dent. It's a LONG road before clearing debris is done. Please continue to be helpful! It is greatly appreciated!
Gail
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 12:30 p.m.
THANK YOU for helping!!!!! Folks with appropriate tools are MOST WELCOME!
slug
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 3:55 a.m.
Excellent! Here's another bit of 'proof' :) http://www.heritage.com/articles/2012/03/19/dexter_leader/news/doc4f67da37f1caa219315913.txt?viewmode=fullstory
pss
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 3:30 a.m.
Even if you are covered insurance covers at most $500 for trees unless it hits something then it covers everything. Go out and help as much as you can withouy thinking you are helping insurance companies. We'll be there again but did get yelled at for going on someones property a couple of times.
hmsp
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 1:07 a.m.
Since we own a large pickup truck and a hydraulic-powered dump trailer, my teenage son and I figured it would be a crime to leave them parked last weekend, so we headed on out to Hudson Mills to get our Dexter-Pinckney Rd assignment. Figuring that the dump trailer was the most valuable part of our equation, we looked for a largish group of cutters/loaders so that we could make many runs to the Monster Chipper and back. It was obviously a feel-good job for a lot of the volunteers, my son included. But while I felt that the volunteer experience was valuable for my son, I didn't spend a whole lot of time patting myself on the back. Rather, I came away with the distinct feeling that I had just spent a big chunk of my weekend volunteering for the insurance industry. Where were the work crews that homeowners premiums had paid for? Going into this next weekend of volunteer work, I would ask those more familiar with the area, and the insurance industry in general, to fill me in here -- do some of these homeowners have insurance that should be paying for site work? Do some homeowners not have this coverage? If some do, and some don't, it would be a good idea for authorities/property owners to put up signage indicating their status -- signs like, "Don't Worry, We're Covered! But Please, Please, Help Bob and Janet, Down the Road at 9999 Dexter-Pinckney! I want to help, but I'd like to know that I'm helping those truly in need, and not just their already-paid insurers.
slug
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 3:27 a.m.
Homeowners Insurance does not cover the cost of trees or land in any way unless a tree falls on a structure or vehicle. There's a $500 debris removal clause from some insurance companies but that's it and it doesn't come close to what has to be paid to clear fallen or leaning trees, remove stumps, and get the debris to a curb. VERY expensive.
FaithInYpsi
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 2:05 a.m.
I have been wondering the same thing...I thought insurance covered this type of thing.
slug
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 1:02 a.m.
Volunteers: Just come on out, find an area that looks bad - Dexter-Pinckney Rd/Horseshoe Bend - and pitch in, it's that simple. Your help is greatly appreciated! Staging, Pooling, Surveys.... good grief.
SPIKE ROBERSON
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 12:02 a.m.
We should have a national service requirement that would provide manpower for exactly these kinds of problems -- as well as many others. It would do modern American youth a world of good.