Township continues to monitor rodents, vermin in neighborhoods – C&G Newspapers

By Nick Mordowanec

Posted March 15, 2017

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(Sutterstock image)

(Sutterstock image)

CLINTON TOWNSHIP A battle against rodents and vermin is still being waged by Clinton Township officials.

Following the arrival of new trash containers that were doled out to residents in 2016 in an effort to remove blight and reduce animal impact, ordinances are still being updated.

Clinton Township Building Department Superintendent Barry Miller outlined the amended change to Ordinance No. 426 in relation to rodents, vermin harborage, rat walls and slab specifications. The revision would provide changes to the 2015 Michigan Residential Code.

It was introduced at the Clinton Township Board of Trustees Feb. 27 meeting.

The current ordinance states that all structures and the exteriors of all property shall be kept from rodent and vermin infestation. Wherever rodents and vermin are found, it is the property owners responsibility to promptly exterminate the creatures through a lawful process that does not endanger human health.

Following extermination, measures must be taken to prevent re-infestation. Detached garages, sheds or other similar structures must be erected on a minimum 4-inch-wide by 24-inch-deep concrete rat wall with a 4-inch concrete slab.

The newly proposed ordinance states that any addition constructed on a pier foundation and located less than 18 inches above the grade adjacent to the proposed structure, must provide a 4-inch concrete slab and 4-inch-wide-by-24-inch-deep concrete wall or an equivalent structure permitted by a building department official.

Miller said the changes are geared more toward detached structures where, for example, a sunroom edition may be built on a slab, or older home additions, like decks, made prior to 2015 code, when owners werent required to build them on piers.

The problem is if (homeowners) build these things close to the ground, rodents can get under and nest, Miller said. Its not as likely if you have a slab underneath it. (Rodents and vermin) wont build nests on top of concrete. Its usually in rubble or rocks.

Township Attorney Jack Dolan clarified that the rat wall is part of the ordinance so patios or decks go down 24 inches, rather than a full foundation of 48 inches. Homeowners would get the permit first, making sure they are deep enough in their calculations.

As for proper extermination, Dolan simply said, You have to get rid of your vermin.

He used an example of a homeowner piling wood on grass or pavement, and rats returning back and forth from such piles. It should be a wake-up call to residents about why rodents and vermin come and stay.

If there are a bunch of rats seen, we have to verify that (the homeowner) took the measure to have the rats exterminated, that they contracted with an exterminator, Dolan said. We want to make sure that if a population is discovered, steps are taken to eliminate it.

Miller said 18 inches is required by Michigan code, allowing for the depth of a crawl space in case maintenance has to occur. There has always been a provision for property owners to be responsible for properly getting rid of animals, he added.

As was the case last year, the Clinton Township Building Department will hire two part-time employees from April 1 to Oct. 1. The employees will alternate days and work about 20 hours per week, adding an extra person on the ground to enforce ordinances before neighborhoods get out of hand.

The department has always been a reactive department, and this kind of helps get into the community, Miller said. Last year, we did double the amount of complaints, and weve been proactive. Wed see the violations and then go handle them.

At press time, the amended ordinance was scheduled to be voted on by the Board of Trustees at its March 13 meeting. If approved, the amendment immediately goes into effect.

About the author

Nick Mordowanec covers Fraser, Clinton Township, Fraser Public Schools, Clintondale Community Schools and Baker College for the Fraser-Clinton Chronicle. Nick, a graduate of Michigan State University, has worked for C & G Newspapers since 2013 and has won awards from the Society of Professional Journalists Detroit Chapter and the Michigan Press Association. He has slight obsessions with Seinfeld and Led Zeppelin.

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Township continues to monitor rodents, vermin in neighborhoods - C&G Newspapers