State of the Township Breakfast February 22, 2023

Join the Waterford Area Chamber of Commerce as they host the annual State of the Township breakfast on February 22, 2023, 7:30 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. @ Overtyme Grill & Taproom.
You'll enjoy a buffet-style hot breakfast, and hear from Waterford Township Supervisor Gary Wall, Waterford School District Superintendent Scott Lindberg, and Chancellor Peter Provenzano from Oakland Community college.

A can't-miss-event for the entire Waterford community!
Tickets are $25 each and are available for advance purchase only from the Waterford Area Chamber Commerce office or on their website.

News From the Treasurer

DETROIT MAILING ADDRESS:

Why are tax payments mailed to a P.O. Box in Detroit?

Our local bank, JP Morgan Chase on Dixie Highway in Waterford, has a payment center located in Detroit. This payment center saves Waterford money by collecting, posting and depositing tax payments.

Payments may be sent directly to Waterford Township Treasurer at 5200 Civic Center Dr, Waterford MI 48329.

ONLINE PAYMENTS MADE THROUGH YOUR BANK

If you initiate your payment through your financial institution, a paper check will be issued. Make sure payment is sent to:

5200 Civic Center Drive, Waterford, MI 48329

Do not send payment to a P.O. Box address which will delay delivery of payment. For ONLINE BANKING through your Bank, please schedule your payment to be delivered 10 business days prior to due date or your payment may be late and interest applied. Please note payments are posted paid the date the check is received in our office by the post office.

ONLINE PAYMENTS MADE THROUGH TOWNSHIP SITE:

Online payments processed through the Township website at:

www.waterfordmi.gov/taxes will be posted paid on the scheduled payment date you choose.

RECYCLE YOUR ENVELOPE

We appreciate you bringing your unused envelope when making your payment at town hall.

DOG LICENSES:
The license fees are:

$15.00 if dog is spayed or neutered
$25.00 if dog is not spayed or neutered

If pet owner is a senior citizen (65 years or older):

$14.00 if dog is spayed or neutered
$23.00 if dog is not spayed or neutered

2023 dog licenses are available at the Treasurer’s Office. To obtain a license, proof of current rabies vaccination certificate is needed.

The Township sells only the 1-year license. 3-year license are available at Oakland County Animal Control. Please call Animal Control at (248) 858-1090 for more information.

Oakland County Animal Control has moved from its Auburn Hills facility to Pontiac.

The new shelter is located at 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Building 42 East, in Pontiac, next to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office headquarters.

Monthly Recycling - February 11

Waterford Township offers free monthly recycling collection of magazines and cardboard (shipping boxes, cereal boxes, toothpaste boxes, etc, free of food debris and dry.)

This service is provided the second Saturday of every month from 9am to 1pm in the parking lot at Township Hall.

Waterford residents only, please.

Residents are also encouraged to practice social distancing and wear masks for their own protection, and for the protection of the workers and other residents.

Parks & Recreation Hiring Seasonal & Year Round

Waterford Township's 12 Months to Self-Preservation

Waterford Township has partnered with Tenuta’s Food Lane, to help residents become self-reliant for the first 72 hours of a disaster. Tenuta’s is located at 3515 Sashabaw in Waterford Township and has been a staple of our community since 1950.

Each month Tenuta’s will be selling a select item or type of item at cost. This will allow people to purchase and stock up on items that will help their family during a natural disaster.

The program started in January and will run through the end of the year. Products offered will include cases of water, canned meats and vegetables, dry goods, pet food, batteries, and so on. Whether you’re a thrifty shopper or interested in helping your family become self-reliant please take advantage of this program throughout 2023.

Don’t forget to tell your neighbors and loved ones.
February 2023 Item: 16 ounce Our Family brand peanut butter $1.69
www.waterfordmi.gov/makeaplan

GFL- Going Into Year Four

Beginning March 30, 2023, Waterford moves into the fourth year of its contract with GFL Environmental providing curbside collection service for residential customers.
Mid to late February, Waterford residents will receive their invoices for second-quarter services for April, May, June 2023 reflecting the contracted 3% increase.

Rates for all three services (Trash, Recycling, Compost)
Base rate Quarter $56.76, Base rate Year $227.04

Rates for Trash and Compost only, No Recycling
Base rate Quarter $41.28, Base rate Year $165.12

A full rate sheet reflecting discounts and annual reminders will be mailed with your paper invoices, or emailed to customers who receive electronic bills.

Visit the Waterford Township website at www.waterfordmi.gov/trash

Waterford Business Owners - Personal Property Statements

ATTENTION BUSINESS OWNERS: Personal Property Statements will be mailed at the end of December and are due by February 21, 2023.

Waterford Regional Fire Department:
Injury Among Children & Teens

Child unintentional injury death rates decreased 11% from 2010 to 2019, but injury is still the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States—and some are at higher risk.

More than 7,000 children and teens age 0-19 died because of unintentional injuries in 2019. That is about 20 deaths each day. Leading causes of child unintentional injury include motor vehicle crashes, suffocation, drowning, poisoning, fires, and falls. Child injury is often preventable.

The latest data on child injury deaths

In 2018–2019, child unintentional injury death rates were highest among:

Male children
Babies under 1 year old and teens age 15–19 years
American Indian and Alaska Native children and Black children

Motor vehicle crashes caused more deaths than other causes of unintentional injury.

Overall unintentional injury death rates in rural areas were higher than metro and urban areas.

Despite overall decreases in child unintentional injury death rates from 2010 to 2019, rates increased among some groups:

Suffocation death rates increased 20% among infants overall and 21% among Black children
Motor vehicle death rates among Black children increased 9% while rates among White children decreased 24%
Poisoning death rates increased 50% among Hispanic children and 37% among Black children, while rates among White children decreased by 24%

Drowning was the leading cause of injury death for children age 1-4 years. Drowning death rates were 2.6 times higher among Black children age 5–9 years and 3.6 times higher among Black children age 10–14 years, when compared with White children of the same age.

CDC conducts research to better understand these disparities and puts science into action to improve health equity. As an example of this work, CDC is working with partners to identify barriers to participation in basic swimming and water-safety skills training among youth who are at higher risk of drowning due to racial and ethnic disparities.

Closed for Presidents Day

Waterford Township administrative offices and the Library are closed Monday, February 20, 2023 for Presidents Day.

All emergency services remain available during this administrative closure.

Visit the Township website at www.waterfordmi.gov

Waterford Twp. Public Library February News & Events

Library Service Hours

Monday–Thursday 10:00a–9:00p;
Friday – Closed; Saturday, 10:00a – 5:00p;
Sunday, 1:00p – 5:00p

Holiday Closings
Presidents Day – Monday, February 20. Regular Hours resume Tuesday, February 21 at 10:00a.

Reinstatement of Friday Hours
Planning process has been complicated by the scarcity of applicants for current vacancies. As we are able to fill these vacancies we should be able to implement our plan. Your patience with this hiccup is appreciated.

Friends of the Library

Used Book Sale
Saturday, February 4, 2023, 10:00a – 4:30p & Sunday, February 5, 2023, 1:00p – 4:00p. Library Community Room.
Sunday Bag Sale $5/Bag all day - Bags provided. Payment by cash or check.

Used Book Donation Drop-off
Saturday, February 11, 2023, 10:00a-1:00p
The Friends of the Library accepts gently used books in SALEABLE condition on the second Saturday of each month from 10:00a - 1:00p. Donations will be considered for use in the Library's collection as well as merchandise included at the Friends Used Book Sales.

ITEMS NOT ACCEPTED:

Textbooks
Encyclopedias
Magazines
VHS tapes
Books on Cassette
Reader's Digest Condensed Books

For a receipt, please bring a count of hard cover and soft cover books with you.

Friends Members meeting
Wednesday, March 1, 5:30p-7:00p in the Community Room
Friends of the Library members meeting including information about the 2023 Book It Fun Run, for both participants and sponsors. Prospective members welcome.

Children’s Programs (through age 12)

Winter Reading Program

Through February 28
Recommended ages 3-12. Sign up through Beanstack at: waterfordmi.beanstack.org
Complete 600 minutes of reading. That's all! When you have finished reading, come to the Children's Department for a bookmark, pencil, and a free book. If you read all 600 minutes, you are automatically entered into a drawing for a gift card.

Saturday Storytime: Celebrate Winter
Saturday, February 4, 10:30a – 11:15p, Storytime/Craft Room.
Recommended ages 3 – 8. No registration required.
Celebrate winter and spring with a variety of seasonal stories and cool crafts. No registration required.

Lego Club
Saturday, February 25, 10:30a-11:00a OR 11:30a-12:15p. Storytime/Craft Room.
Recommended ages 5 and up. No registration required.
Students meet to create their own Lego structure. We have two class times in the morning. Please come to one of these sessions: 10:15-11:00 am OR 11:30 am-12:15 pm.

Weekly Storytimes through March 22

Drop-in storytimes from January 23 through February 15. Storytimes are 30 minutes long and include a variety of stories, songs, fingerplays, and other activities. Choose the age-appropriate session from those listed below. No registration required.
NOTE: Children must be accompanied by a parent or a caregiver.

Babytime Storytime
Mondays, 10:00a – 10:30a, Storytime/Craft Room.
Recommended ages 6 months to 15 months

Toddlertime Storytime
Wednesdays, 10:00a – 10:30a, Storytime/Craft Room.
Recommended ages 16 to 23 months

Two-Year-Old Storytime
Mondays, 11:00a – 11:30a, Storytime/Craft Room.
Recommended age two years old

Three-Year-Old Storytime
Wednesdays, 11:00a – 11:30a, Storytime/Craft Room.
Recommended age three years old

Teens’ Programs (kids going into 6^th – 12^th grades)

Blind Date with a Book
February 1 – February 28
Are you looking for something new to read and you don’t know where to start? Do you like the element of surprise? Try a Blind Date with a Book! These books will be wrapped in paper so you can’t see what you’re checking out. You won’t know what you’ve got until you get home (or into the parking lot if you’re really eager!). Wrapped books will include descriptors to give readers clues about the subject, plot, setting, and characters of the books. Patrons can check out 2 books at a time.

Teen Take & Make Kit: Salty & Sweet Treats
February 18 – February 26
We’re celebrating Chocolate Month with these chocolaty pretzel treats. Kids in 6th – 12th grades can pick up a Salty & Sweet Take & Make Kit. Instructions and most ingredients will be included in the kit. All you have to do is pick up the kit and then you can make these quick and easy treats in the comfort of your own home and at your own pace. While supplies last. Supplies are limited, so these kits are reserved for kids in 6th through 12th grades only. One kit per person. No registration required. *Allergy alert: Peanut butter or peanut butter products may be included in the kit.

Resolve to Read! 66-Day Reading Challenge
According to a 2009 study, it takes, on average, 66 days to form a new habit. Here’s an easy way to form a habit of reading: Read for at least 20 minutes a day. Reading for 20 minutes a day can help build your vocabulary, learn empathy, and improve your mental health - all great reasons to form this positive habit! Keep track of your reading using Beanstack. 6th – 12th graders who participate will earn prizes at different levels. Go to https://waterfordmi.beanstack.org/reader365 to register and for more details.

Adults – Programs

Guardians of Michigan
Wednesday, February 15, 7:00p-8:30p. Registration required.
Jeff Morrison, author of Guardians of Detroit (2019), returns to the Waterford Library to talk about his latest book, Guardians of Michigan. He will present a sixty-minute program with more than 250 pictures of interesting architectural sculpture found on buildings throughout Michigan. You will learn about the symbolism and hear some of the untold stories of the artists, artisans, and architects. There will be time for questions, and both books will be available for sale after the presentation.

Matinee Movie: A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Thursday, February 23, 2:00p-4:00p. Community Room. No registration required.
A cynical journalist befriends America's most beloved neighbor. Based on a true story. (Biopic/Drama) 107 minutes. Starring: Tom Hanks, Matthew Rhys. Rated PG. Popcorn will be provided. You may bring your own snacks and beverages, provided that your beverages have lids.

Adults – Computer Connections

Internet 101
Saturday, February 4, 10:00a – 11:15a. Conference Room. Registration required.
We’ll cover the basics of getting online, viewing web pages, and doing basic internet searches. This class is for internet beginners who have basic computer knowledge about how to move a mouse.

eBooks Help
Saturday, February 11, 30-minute timeslots beginning at 10:30a. Group Study Room. Registration required.
Do you need help accessing all the free digital content the library has to offer? Bring your device and questions for help with downloading books, audiobooks, movies, music and magazines to your smartphone or tablet. Register for one-on-one help in a 30-minute session.

Ask the Tech Guy Computer Help
Saturday, February 18, 30-minute timeslots beginning at 10:30a. Group Study Room. Registration required.
Computer/technology help. One-on-one assistance with your own device or computer (bring it in with you). Our computer systems administrator will do his best to troubleshoot your problem, answer your questions, or advise you on what to do. Register through the Library’s Calendar of Events.

Using Email
Saturday, February 25, 10:00a – 11:15a. Conference Room. Registration required.
We’ll cover how to reply and forward, how to search your email, use folders, how to do attachments and, maybe more. This class is for people who already have an email account.

Adults – Enrichment Groups

Knitting Group
Wednesday mornings, 10:00 a.m. - Noon, Conference Room
Share patterns, exchange ideas, show off your projects, and socialize while you knit!

Waterford Genealogical Society (WGS)
Afternoon meeting: Wednesday, February 1, 1:00p - 3:00p, Community Room.
Genealogy is the study of family ancestries and histories. The Waterford Genealogical Society (WGS) meets on the 1^st Wednesday afternoon of the month in the Library’s Community Room. All are welcome to attend.

WGS Evening meeting
Tuesday, February 14, 7:00p – 8:30p via Zoom
WGS also meets virtually on the 2^nd Tuesday evening of the month. If you wish to attend you must register through our Calendar of Events and enter your email address so we can send you the zoom link. Please register before 5:00p of the day of the meeting. Host: Julia Hanneman-Schoenbach.

Evening Book Discussion Group
February 9, 7:00p. Conference Room. Registration not required.
Title: Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau. Copies of the book, including large print and book on CD, will be available at the Adult Reference Desk beginning Saturday, January 14.

Waterford Writers Workshop
Saturday, February 18, 11:00a-2:00p, Conference Room. Ages 16 or older
The Waterford Writers Workshop is a forum where serious writers share their work and receive and provide constructive, supportive critiques of each member’s writing. Each writer will email their work (6 pages of 12pt font, double-spaced prose or two poems) to other members at least one week prior to the meeting date. Those attending the workshop will be prepared to discuss their own writing, as well as providing edits and suggestions on other member’s writing. The workshop will meet every third Saturday of the month, 11am-2pm, in the conference room of the Waterford Library. Our goal is to write, share, and develop polished prose and poetry. To evoke, provoke, and inspire. To take chances, be ambitious, write confidently, and celebrate the art of the written word and literature in general. Registration is not required. Anyone interested in joining needs only to attend an initial meeting. Participants must be 16 or older.

Library Garden Club
Wednesday, February 8, 7:00p – 8:30p, Community Room.
Presentation topic includes discussion of upgrade to the borders of the Children’s Sensory Garden beds this year. Open to all, novice to master.

Afternoon Book Discussion Group
Monday, February 27, 1:00p-2:00p. Community Room. Registration not necessary.
Title: The Ride of Her Life by Elizabeth Letts. You can get a copy of the book to check out by picking one up at the adult desk. You might wish to call us at 248-618-7693 to make sure we have a copy available for you.