The File of Life is a medical information card that enables Emergency Responders to obtain a quick medical history when the patient is unable to offer one. The card eliminates the risk of the patient, who, in a frightened state, may forget to mention something important. It also gives the responders the ability to know important medical information if the patient is not able to verbally communicate at all.
The card, which is kept in a red plastic packet labeled File of Life, lists the patient's name, emergency contacts, health conditions, medications, dosages, allergies, recent surgeries, religion, doctor's name, insurance information, etc. The entire packet is held, with a magnet to the outside of the refrigerator where it can be easily found by the emergency responders.
The File of Life packet contains the following:
- Refrigerator magnet pouch with information form to be filled out and updated as necessary or at least every 6 months.
- Wallet card with the same information as above only in a smaller version to keep in your wallet or purse.
- File of Life sticker to be placed on your front door or window so as to be visible to emergency responders from the front of your home.
- Pamphlet explaining how to use the File of Life, how it benefits you, your family and the emergency responders.
- Informational brochure explaining the File of Life program, its founders and supporters.
The File of Life packets can be picked up at any Fire Station or the Township Offices during normal business hours.
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PROPOSAL A
Proposal A was overwhelmingly passed by Michigan voters in 1994. Basically, the Amendment limited the amount that property owners would pay taxes on by an inflation rate multiplier. Values could be modified either higher or lower by new construction or by the removal of property. However, the tax limitation would not apply to new property owners, as the amount that they pay taxes on would increase to the assessed value the tax year following a sale.This Constitutional Amendment minimized property taxes for the majority of property owners for many years. For individuals that lived in their homes for many years, the difference between their Assessed Value (1/2 of the property’s market value) and Taxable Value (the limitation imposed by Proposal A), grew significantly. Please see the illustration below:
Above excerpt from State Tax Commission Bulletin #12 of 2007 which can be found on the internet at:http://www.michigan.gov/documents/treasury/Bulletin12InflationRate08_214821_7.pdf
Over the past few years we have experienced a significant change in the real estate market. In general, property values have declined. However, Taxable Value continues to increase due to the requirements of Proposal A. Taxable Value cannot exceed Assessed Value. Once Taxable Value meets the Assessed Value of a property it cannot increase above that amount, even by an inflation multiplier. Please see the illustration below:
Above excerpt from State Tax Commission Bulletin #12 of 2007 which can be found on the internet at:http://www.michigan.gov/documents/treasury/Bulletin12InflationRate08_214821_7.pdf
This concept may be unsettling to many. The concept of property values declining while property taxes increase seems flawed. However, if Proposal A did not exist, property taxes would have continued to be based on the property’s Assessed Value. Most property owners would have paid significantly more in property taxes since the limitation began in 1994. As long as Taxable Value remains lower than Assessed Value, property owners do receive a property tax reduction. When voters passed the Constitutional Amendment (Proposal A), they voted not to collect property taxes based solely on the property’s market value.
Our State Legislature is considering alternatives to Proposal A. It is understandable that in this economy, many individuals are seeking financial relief. Any proposed modifications to the Constitution should be carefully considered as to provide necessary funding for essential government services.
Property taxes provide funding for local schools, community colleges, local government including police and fire protection, county government, parks and recreation facilities and library services, among many others.
The Assessors Office can provide additional information about assessments, taxable value and property taxes. Please feel free to contact us should you have any questions. We can be reached at 248-451-4850.
2006 MICHIGAN RESIDENTIAL CODE
– SIGNIFICANT CHANGES
The 2006 Michigan Residential Code (MRC) went into effect on August 1, 2006. Listed below are brief explanations and general information on some of the code changes.
ATTICS:
All attic spaces served by fixed stair shall have the minimum live loads (30 lbs.) designed as sleeping rooms.
The table for minimum uniformly distributed live loads now includes a clear space dimension threshold for when storage could occur, and a minimum live load requirement when storage loads do not apply, or for when only occasional access into small spaces occur.
When rafter collar ties are required, they must be in the upper third of the attic space.
Attics, soffits, ridge vents and crawl spaces cannot be used to discharge air from an exhaust system. Air removed by every mechanical device must be discharged directly to the outside. Exhaust openings cannot be located within 2 feet of a ventilated soffit.
Attic access openings shall be large enough to allow for removal of any mechanical equipment in the attic.
EMERGENCY ESCAPE & RESCUE:
Emergency escape and rescue openings are now required in all basements regardless of whether or not they contain habitable space. There is an exception for a basement that is a mechanical equipment room with less than 200 square feet. If there is a bedroom(s) in the basement, openings are not required in the adjoining 
areas of the basement provided the bedroom door is not lockable.
Emergency escape and rescue openings continue to be required in all bedrooms.
Emergency escape and rescue openings must open directly to a public way, yard or a court to a public way. They can be located under decks and porches when the egress path has a minimum height of at least 36 inches.
EXTERIOR WALLS & FIRE SEPARATION:
Exterior walls must have a minimum one-hour fire-resistance where the fire separation distance is less than five feet.
Openings are not allowed in exterior walls with a minimum fire separation distance of less than three feet.
Openings on exterior walls with a minimum fire separation distance of three feet are limited to a maximum of 25 percent of the wall area.
Openings on exterior walls with a minimum fire separation distance of five feet or greater are unlimited.
Exterior wall assemblies shall be designed and constructed to prevent the infiltration of water, where the assembly is not tested as such, and the assembly must drain water that enters the cavity to the exterior.
FOUNDATIONS:
Freestanding light frame construction accessory structures with an area of 600 square feet or less are now exempt from frost protection requirements.
Concrete and masonry foundation walls that retain earth and enclose interior spaces and floors below grade shall be dampproofed. In areas where a high water table or other severe soil/water conditions are known to exist, these walls shall be waterproofed.
HAZARDOUS LOCATIONS & HUMAN IMPACT LOADS:
Safety glazing is not required for a stairway or landing when the glazing is at least 36 inches above the walking surface.
INTERIOR WALLS:
When drilling and notching more than 50% of the top plate only one 1 ½ inch metal tie is required and that tie should be on the notched side of the wall.
Protection of gas piping from driven nails has been increased from one inch to one and a half inches from the nearest edge of the framing member.
SMOKE ALARMS:
New language has been added to make it clear that work on the exterior of a dwelling, including reroofing, siding, replacement windows & doors, porch addition, and decks does not require the installation of smoke alarms.
Smoke alarms are no longer required to be audible in bedrooms over background noise since smoke alarms are required in each bedroom.
All smoke alarms shall be listed in accordance with UL 217, installed per the code and NFPA 72.
STAIRS, LANDINGS AND RAMPS:
Exterior stairs must have a light switch controlled from the interior. Interior stairs with six or more risers must have a light switch at each floor level.
There can be a single step down landing at the primary exterior door. Screen and storm doors may swing over stairs, steps or landings at these doors.
A maximum of two risers will be permitted at all other exterior doors except the required exit door (front door). Screen and storm doors may swing over the stairs. A two percent slope is permitted on landings.
Landings at garage stairways are to be treated the same as interior basement stairs.
WINDOWS:
Operable exterior windows more than 72 inches above exterior finished grade must have a minimum window sill height of 24 inches. There are two exceptions for window guard protection.
Approved corrosion-resistant flashing must be applied shingle fashion and has to extend to the surface of the exterior wall finish or to the water-resistant barrier for drainage.
BUILDING DEPARTMENT:
For more information about building codes and local requirements, contact the Building Department below at: 1-248-451-4842
www.wbtwp.com
THINK PERMITS:
“PROTECT YOUR HOME”
“PROTECT YOUR FAMILY”
Five reasons to obtain permits:
Safety – For your family and home
Inspections – Performed by State License Inspectors
Value – Protects your biggest investment
Peace of Mind - knowing the job was done right (to code)
Sets Consistent Standards – Ensures safe construction standards
To better address these matters we are developing a program that will allow our Code Enforcement officers to identify and monitor these locations. This program will only be successful if residents of neighboring properties are willing to “get involved”. Get involved by reporting vacant homes in our neighborhoods as soon as they become vacant, and then be vigil in reporting any concerns you may have regarding these properties in a timely manner. Why is timely reporting important? Vacant homes that are not properly winterized or are unheated can have broken pipes due to freezing and sump pump systems that will not function due to termination of electrical service. A host of other problems relevant to property maintenance, blight and overgrown vegetation, are just some of the issues that may be present which can have a negative impact on not only the vacant property, but neighboring properties as well.
How do residents report these locations? Call the Code Enforcement Division at (248) 451-4880, or online via the West Bloomfield Township website, www.wbtwp.com. There you will find a confidential and easy to follow format for reporting these vacant properties and other locations throughout the Township where suspected code violations may exist. Before calling or going online, please be prepared to provide the correct address, a list of your concerns regarding the property and any knowledge of the most recent residents or ownership of the property. This information may help us in locating the persons responsible for maintaining the property in question.
Thank you for your help
Together, We Can Make West Bloomfield Better
ENVIRONMENTAL UPDATE FOR 2008
John T. Roda M.S., PWS
The Gypsy Moth management program has been in place since 1993 for West Bloomfield Township. Suppressing the Gypsy Moth caterpillar population helps protect the health and vigor of our tree population, especially oak trees. We do receive calls from residents regarding the status of the caterpillar population and we appreciate these calls as it is extremely helpful to us in tracking the population. We will continue the egg mass monitoring this fall. This information will determine if a Gypsy Moth spray program will be needed in the spring of 2009. The spray program consists of spraying natural bacteria (Bt) within specific spray blocks that will be determined from the egg mass count from the previous year (Fall 2008). The spray program was very successful in the past in reducing the caterpillar population within the spray blocks.
West Nile Virus
The Township has conducted a larvacide program for the 2008 calendar year and has treated specific catch basins within the Township. We will continue to monitor the mosquito population within the catch basins and the retention and detention ponds. Stop by the lobby of Town Hall to pick up some information or call the Oakland County hotline at (877) 377-3641 for further information.
Emerald Ash Borer
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was discovered in May of 2002 and is responsible for the decline and death of large populations of ash trees in southeast Michigan. All ash trees are at risk. Symptoms include dieback of the leafy canopy, shoots emerging from live and dead plant tissue and the D-shaped exit holes left by the adults. The Township has a public education display at Town Hall or you may contact our Department at (248) 451-4876. You may also call the Michigan Department of Agriculture Emerald Ash Borer Hotline at (866) 325-0023 or www.michigan.gov/mda for current information.
If you have a safety issue tree in a regulated area, please tag the tree with a brightly colored ribbon, tape, or spray paint. Call us at (248) 451-4818 to notify us about the problem, and we will schedule a time to visit with the homeowner. The homeowner must be present at the time of the scheduled visit.
To deal with the upcoming driving conditions, we do need to adjust our driving habits. Of primary concern, let’s pay close attention to our students and our school buses. We are in the 4th year of some major changes in the laws that govern student transportation. Let me briefly remind you of these rules.
#1- If the School Bus is stopped with only the yellow hazard lights flashing you do not need to stop for the bus. If it is safe to proceed, you may carefully pass a school bus displaying these lights.
#2- After the school bus stops the red flashing lights are activated. YOU ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO STOP FOR A SCHOOL BUS DISPLAYING RED FLASHING LIGHTS. This stop is required for both directions – even on Orchard Lake Road. The only exception to this requirement is on a road that has a barrier, or non travelable median between the two directions. When such a separation exists, traffic traveling the opposite direction of the school bus is not required to stop. Please note that a center left turn lane does not satisfy the median requirement and you must stop.
#3- The final rule is really a word of warning. The West Bloomfield Police Traffic Safety Bureau is very aggressive in following up on violations of the school bus stopping laws. A complaint is all that is needed to charge a motorist with a violation. The penalties for failing to stop for a school bus are, 3 points on the driving record and a $500.00 dollar fine. The bottom line is that it truly is all about the safety of the children.
During winter driving the best advice that I can give you is to SLOW DOWN. If road conditions are wet, slushy, snowy, icy, or when conditions are right for “Black Ice,” your stopping distance greatly increases. Leave early and take your time. If the driver behind you follows closely, let them pass you. Arriving safely is the only way to arrive.
Ok, so you have wandered into that ice or you get cut off, and an emergency stop is necessary, what happens next? Become familiar with your braking system. If your vehicle is equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS) press the brake pedal firmly and hold. This will allow the ABS brakes to activate and stop your vehicle without causing a spin out. You may feel a pulsation in the brake pedal. Do not become alarmed as this is a designed feature to alert you that the ABS has been activated. If your vehicle is not equipped with ABS brakes then you require some old fashioned driving skills. What ever type of braking system that your car has, NEVER pump the brakes. Pumping the brake pedal simply increases pressure on the brakes, increasing the possibility of an uncontrollable lock up and the accompanying “out of control” skid. Pumping the pedal on vehicle equipped with ABS brakes can, under some circumstances, over ride and make inoperative the ABS brakes, again causing an uncontrolled skid. No amount of technology can ever replace common sense and caution. Simply put, SLOW DOWN.
What about winter driving equipment? Maintain your car with plenty of windshield washer fluid, antifreeze and make certain tires have sufficient tread depth. (2/32 per State Law but I replace my personal vehicle at 4/32.) A good snow scraper, boots, blanket, some kitty litter and a fully charged cell phone will round out your emergency equipment list. My recommendation is to switch to a tire designed for the snow, or at the very least use a tire that carries an M/S (Mud and Snow) rating.
My last word on the weather in Michigan is that we all know how horrible it can get. If the weather does become nasty make it a “late day” into work or even stay home. (A good indicator is that school has been cancelled.) Give our Oakland County salt crews a chance to work their magic on our roads.
Whatever this winter brings…enjoy the sights and sounds of our great Michigan weather. As I said, spring is just 5 months away.
Till Spring Be Safe
Sergeant Dave Zolna ( Z )
West Bloomfield Police Dept Traffic Safety Bureau
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BOARD OF TRUSTEES
| Administration David Flaisher, Supervisor d_flaisher@wbtwp.com Sharon Law, Clerk s_law@wbtwp.com Denise Hammond, Treasurer d_hammond@wbtwp.com |
Trustees Robert Sher r_sher@wbtwp.com Robert Spector r_spector@wbtwp.com Stuart Brickner s_brickner@wbtwp.com Deborah Macon d_macon@wbtwp.com |
Newsletter Editor
Pat Helson,
Executive Assistant
p_helson@wbtwp.com
What Do You Think of This Newsletter?
We want to make this newsletter as informative as possible. Please let us know what information you would like to see included. You may provide your comments by sending us an e-mail at:askwestbloomfield@wbtwp.com or by calling Pat Helson, the Executive Assistant to the Supervisor at: 248-451-4800 ext. 2888.
