Welcome to the first e-newsletter from the City of Belding!  This e-newsletter will be sent on a bi-monthly basis to keep you informed and updated on things happening in the city and to provide useful information regarding the city services that are available to you.

  

This e-newsletter, due to budgetary reasons, replaces the former hard copy newsletter which was mailed to everyone throughout the entire city.  Please encourage your relatives, friends, and acquaintances to sign up for this e-newsletter.  There is no cost and your email address will not be given to anyone or any firm, but will be held in strict confidence.

  

The City of Belding has many positive attributes which we plan to begin promoting.  As a first step, we are in the initial stages of developing a marketing video which promotes Belding from three different angles. 

  

The first angle is toward new residents, where we would like to encourage families from outside the community to consider Belding as a great place to live due to the warmth of a close-knit community with excellent schools, parks, city services, and close proximity to a metropolitan area.

  

The second angle is to promote the retail and commercial sectors to position Belding as a smart choice for new businesses and retail shops.  Based on an extensive marketing study we completed in 2004, there are opportunities in Belding for new businesses. 

  

The third angle promotes the manufacturing sector to attract new businesses and to retain the existing businesses.

  

Many businesses and organizations are supporting the development of this video through donations or in-kind services.  The video will be distributed to realtors, bankers, new residents, and will also be placed on the city website.  Please keep an eye on our website for this video, which hopefully will be completed by mid to late summer.

  

The Chamber of Commerce, Belding Area Schools, and the City of Belding are all partnering together to promote Belding and its many resources.  There are many positive attributes which need to be promoted.

  

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.  Thank you very much for the opportunity to serve.

  

Sincerely,

  

Randall S. DeBruine

City Manager

Please pay all 2010 taxes at City Hall no later than February 28, 2011.  After this date, taxes will be payable through the Ionia County Treasurer. Please contact the office directly at 616-527-5329 to determine the current amount owing.

March 21                             July 25

April 25                                August 22

May 23                                 September 26

June 20                                October 24

Brush to be picked up must be placed at the curb by 7 a.m. on the above listed dates, but no earlier than the 18th of the month.  The total amount of brush and limbs per household shall not exceed 10 cubic yards per month.  This may be waived at the discretion of the Director of Public Works in cases of devastational storms. 

Yard waste and leaves placed in biodegradable bags will be picked up every Friday from March 25 through November 23, 2011.  Please place bags at the curb on Friday by 7 a.m., but no earlier than 24 hours before pick-up.  Just a reminder that DEQ regulations prohibit disposing of leaves or yard waste in the river.  Loose leaf pick-up will take place from October 10 through November 23, 2011.  Please remember - a loose leaf pick-up is not held in the spring.   

The City of Belding has scheduled the annual spring clean-up for Saturday, April 16, 2011 from 8 a.m. until noon at the Pitsch Landfil, 7905 Johnson Rd.  City residency will be checked.  Residents may bring junk, trash, appliances or other waste.  However, yard waste, hazardous waste or liquids of any kind will not be accepted.  Residents will be allowed to dump up to four car or pick-up tires.  Any additional tires will be disposed of at a cost to the resident, $2.50 off the rim or $5.00 on the rim.  Any appliances containing Freon will be accepted, however, the resident must pay the $25 difference in price.  Residents are required to offload all materials at the landfill site.   

The city is updating the water meters for all buildings that obtain water and sewer services from the city.  Postcards are being sent out to set up appointments to upgrade the older meters.  The new meters are read electronically and help detect problems, such as leaks, much faster than the older meters did.  If you receive a postcard or are wondering if you need an update, please call 616-794-1900, Ext. 217 to set up an appointment today.  The hours available for these appointments are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and take about 30 minutes.  Thank you for your cooperation in getting all these meters upgraded.  There is no additional cost for these meters, unless the meter is broken or damaged due to homeowner's errors.

The City of Belding, on behalf of its Historic District Study Committee, is requesting any historic photographs or historical information pertaining to the property sites located within the proposed Historic District.  The Registered Historic District is to be known as the Belding Downtown Registered Historic District and is comprised of the following property sites:

Belco Office Building - 115 E. Main St.

U.S. Post Office - 201 E. Main St.

Masonic Temple - 211 E. Main St.

Belding Brothers Bldg., - 105-107 E. Main St.

Library - 302 E. Main St.

Belrockton - 108 Hanover St.

Gibson Site - 100 E. Main St.  

  

All originals, whether documents or photographs, will be treated with the greatest care and will be copied and returned to the owner.  Any information pertaining to previous businesses located at those sites would be greatly appreciated.  The information will be used to assist with writing the histories of the property sites by the Historic District Study Committee.

  

Please contact the City of Belding, Kareen Thomas, at 616-794-1900, ext. 210, or email j.burns@ci.belding.mi.us if you have any questions.  

The requests for transportation services increases this time of year, as well as slippery road conditions, so please allow extra time for the bus to arrive, especially if you have a scheduled appointment time, so you will not be disappointed.  

  

PASSENGER FARES

3-18 years               $1.50

19-61 years             $2.00

62+ years                $1.00

Disabled                   $1.00

Children 3 years and younger, when accompanied by an adult, ride free.

  

IONIA ROUTE - Monday thru Friday

Depart Belding 9 a.m. - Arrive in Ionia 9:30 a.m.

Depart Belding 1 p.m. - Arrive in Ionia 1:30 p.m.

This is a free transportation service offered to the general public.

  

GREENVILLE CONNECTION - Monday thru Friday

Anytime between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Cost is regular passenger fare charge for Belding DART plus township passenger fare charge for Greenville Transit.

  

BUSINESS HOURS - Monday thru Friday, 6:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

  

BUSINESS PHONE:  794-3278

  

Do not let yourself become a victim of crime! 

  

Eliminate the opportunity for the thief to steal your property by properly securing your personal property and marking your valuables for identification. 

  

Report suspicious activity in your neighborhood, such as a persons conduct or actions that does not fit the norm for your neighborhood.  If it looks suspicious, don't wait, report it to the police!

  

If you are going away for an extended period of time, please contact the police department directly or visit us at the web at www.belding.mi.us.  Click on police department for the vacation house check form. 

  

There is no parking on city streets from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. from November 1st through March 31st.  The signs are posted on the major streets entering the city. 

  

Please park all vehicles facing the right way.  A vehicle stopped or parked upon a highway or street shall be stopped or parked with the wheels of the vehicle parallel to the roadway and within 12 inches of any curb existing at the right of the vehicle. A vehicle shall not be parked, except if necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the law or the directions of a police officer or traffic-control device, in any of the following places:  on a sidewalk; in front of a public or private driveway; within an intersection; within 15 feet of a fire hydrant; on a crosswalk; within 20 feet of a crosswalk, or if there is not a crosswalk, then within 15 feet of the intersection of property lines at an intersection of highways; or within 30 feet of the approach to a flashing beacon, stop sign, or traffic-control signal located at the side of a highway.

  

Front yard parking is prohibited under the Zoning Ordinance.  Vehicles shall be parked in the driveway or garage.

  

Please keep sidewalks clear of ice and snow and remove accumulation within 24 hours of the ice storm or snowfall.

  

Two dogs and two cats are allowed per residential or dwelling unit in the city.  A dog license is required for any dog, six months of age or over, within the city.  Licenses are available from the Ionia County Treasurer at the Courthouse in Ionia.  No dog or cat shall be allowed to run at large in the city unless such dog or cat is under the reasonable control of the owner.  No domestic animals shall be permitted in any public park or on a public pathway unless on a leash, not exceeding six feet in length, controlled by the owner at all times.  Owners shall remove all animal fecal discharges from park and pathway property immediately.  No dangerous or vicious animals shall be permitted in any public park or on a public pathway.  

Belding Housing Commission administers income-based rental units for eligible individuals and families within the City of Belding.  Inquiries about availability and the application process may be made by phone Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 616-794-1740 or by visiting the office during window hours Monday through Friday 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.  The office is located at 41 Belhaven Avenue, Belding, MI.  Belding Housing Commission is an Equal Housing Opportunity agency.

  

The proposed Annual Plan for Belding Housing Commission is available for review and comment from the public.  The plan and its components may be viewed at the administrative office.  Included in the plan are proposed policy revisions and capital fund program objectives for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2011.  Written comments will be received until 5 p.m. on April 20.  The Board of Commissioners will review and consider all comments before adoption of the plan at its April board meeting.

  

Belding Housing Commission sends its appreciation to the community for its support, and wishes everyone a Happy Spring!