Welcome to the City of New Buffalo: The Gateway of Michigan!

 

WATER AND SEWER BILLING CHANGES

The inability to read meters due to the amount of snow this winter has created an  opportune time for the City to make a transition from outdated billing procedures. The new procedure allows for more timely meter reads and billing. Unfortunately, this means the next bill residential customers will  receive will be for a period of three months instead of two. Customers that receive a monthly bill, your April bill will be for two months.

This is a one time billing adjustment. All future water bills will return to the normal one or two month payment cycle.

Because of the increased bill there will be an additional month to pay without penalty.

All previously delinquent balances must be paid by May 16, 2014 or they will be placed on the property taxes.

 2013 Water Quality Reports are available upon request.

 

---

ELECTION INFORMATION

Just a reminder that the last day to register to vote for the May 6, 2014 election is Monday, April 7, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. The Election Commission will meet on Monday, April 21, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at City Hall to perform the Public Accuracy Test for the May 6, 2014 election. This test is held to demonstrate that all votes cast in the election will be accurately counted by the electric tabulating equipment. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday May 6, 2014. The City of New Buffalo will be electing two (2) council members with partial terms ending November 2016. Absentee ballots are available for all elections. Registered voters may contact the local clerk to obtain an application for an absent voter ballot.

For more information, please contact the city clerk at 269-469-1500 or clerk@cityofnewbuffalo.org.

 

---

 

Welcome Assistant City Manager Jae Guetschow!

  

The City is pleased to announce the new Assistant City Manager Jae Guetschow. Jae and his wife Debra currently reside in Stevensville, Michigan, where he served as the Village Manager from September 2012 until he took the position here on March 17th.  He was elected Village President of Blissfield, Michigan from March 2003 to November 2006 and again from November 2008 to November 2010. Jae also served as a Village Trustee for Blissfield for 2 years, served on the Planning Commission for 3 years and served on the DDA/Main Street Board for 2 years.

 

Jae was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan and dedicated 32 years working in the Department of Human Service for the State of Michigan retiring in 2010. Even though that was the end of his career in state government, Jae wanted to continue working at a local government level. He pursued his Master of Public Administration from the University of Toledo in 2010 and spent two years as an instructor in government at Owens Community College and Jackson Community College. Jae also enjoys remodeling and woodworking in his spare time and held a Michigan residential builders license for 18 years. He’s an avid motorcyclist (Harley) and has served in his community through his involvement in Habitat for Humanity for 10 years.

 

The City is pleased to have Jae join our team and look forward to his involvement in upcoming projects.  His experience is a wonderful addition to the administration.  Welcome Jae!

 

---

 

Sgt. Grimmett receives Capstone Award

 

The City would like to congratulate Sergeant Jason Grimmett for being the first New Buffalo police officer to receive the Capstone Award on February 6, 2014.  This award is given after completion of three one-week trainings in police supervision, advance police supervision and supervising critical situations.  The courses dealt with police leadership and management skills to help Sgt. Grimmett supervise and guide his fellow officers.  He was presented with the award at the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  This award is recognized by the State of Michigan, the Michigan State Police and endorsed by the Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority. 

Sgt. Grimmett has been with the City of New Buffalo for 8 years.  He was the K-9 handler for 6 years and became Sergeant in June 2012.

 

---

 

NOTICE OF TORNADO SIREN TESTING

The City of New Buffalo and New Buffalo Township wil be doing monthly Tornado Siren Testing the first Saturday of each month from April through September at 1:00 p.m.

 

---

BRUSH AND YARD WASTE COLLECTION

 Lakeshore will be collecting all yard waste from April 1, 2014 to October 31, 2014 every Wednesday. Materials collected include grass, brush, leaves, weeds and limbs up to 4" in diameter no longer than 4 feet. All material other than limbs should be in biodegradable bags, 32 gallon can or bundle tied with a 50 pound limit. Residents may lease a 95 gallon cart from Lakeshore at a rate of $3.00/month billed to the resident, please contact Lakeshore, 269-231-5623 or 877-LAKE-877 (877-525-3877).

The City will continue to collect leaves raked to the curb in the spring and fall and will ONLY collect brush resulting from storm damage.

Please contact City Hall at 469-1500 with any questions or concerns.

 

---

 BEACH PASSES - Beach passes will be available at City Hall after March 1, 2014. City of New Buffalo residents and property owners are allowed two beach passes per household at no charge. The City Council has set a total of 50 non-resident beach passes available only to New Buffalo Township residents and property owners for $50 each. 

 

City of New Buffalo residents that have a pass from last year will be able to re-use the same card.  If City residents have lost their pass, replacements are available for $10 each.

 

---

 

 CHURCH PROPERTY COMMITTEE – looking for volunteers to service on a committee to explore ideas on how to ensure that Water’s Edge Church will continue as a historic building in the City of New Buffalo. Water’s Edge First United Methodist Church is building a larger Church and will be selling this property. The current building consists of 200 feet of frontage on Whittaker Street located next to Fifth Third Bank. The property has two tax id numbers, one for a parcel of vacant land and one that includes the church and brick residence.

 

The City and Township are asking for volunteers to work together at a committee to determine the feasibility of a non-profit, welcoming center, event and meeting center to take advantage of this beautiful property and central location.

 

Please email Karen Gear, at KGear@NewBuffaloSavings.com.  Karen is President of the Arts Council and has volunteered to organize a committee from the City of New Buffalo to work with the committee from the Township regarding this property.

 

---

 

NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION

 

Notice is hereby given that a Special Election will be held in the City of New Buffalo, County of Berrien, State of Michigan, on Tuesday, May 6, 2014

At City Hall, 224 W. Buffalo Street, New Buffalo, MI  49117 for the purpose of electing two Council Members. Nonpartisan office candidates must file with the New Buffalo City Clerk’s office by 4:00 p.m. on January 30, 2014. The polls for said election will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. For more information, please contact the City Clerk at clerk@cityofnewbuffalo.org or 269-469-1500.

 

---

 

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

 

SEASONAL HELP - The City of New Buffalo will be accepting applications for seasonal help for the transient marina, beach, lifeguards and the launch ramp. Applications are available at www.cityofnewbuffalo.org or can be picked up and returned to New Buffalo City Hall located at 224 W. Buffalo St., New Buffalo, MI  49117. Applicants must be 18 years of age to be considered. Applicants must be energetic, ambitious, responsible and be a team player. These positions are expected to work 32-40 hours per week including weekends. Applications will be accepted until all vacancies are filled.

 

LIFEGUARDS NEEDED - The City of New Buffalo will be accepting applications for lifeguards.  Applications are available at www.cityofnewbuffalo.org or can be picked up and returned to New Buffalo City Hall located at 224 W. Buffalo St., New Buffalo, MI  49117. Applicants must be 18 years of age and be Lifeguard and CPR Certified to be considered. Applicants must be energetic, ambitious, responsible and be a team player. Lifeguards are expected to work 32-40 hours per week including weekends from Memorial Day thru Labor Day. Applications will be accepted until all vacancies are filled.

 

---

 

RECYCLING AND SOLID WASTE COLLECTION SERVICES
 

Lakeshore Recycling and Disposal is the City's recycling and solid waste contractor. They may be reached at 269-231-5623 or 877-LAKE-877

(877-525-3877).

Solid waste collection occurs every Wednesday.

 Lakeshore will also conduct recycling collection services every other week on Wednesdays, for 2014:

January 2, 15 and 29

February 12 and 26

March 12 and 26

April 9 and 23

May 7 and 21

June 4 and 18

July 2, 16 and 30

August 13 and 27

September 10 and 24

October 8 and 22

November 5 and 19

December 3, 17 and 31

All recyclables collected previously will be collected by Lakeshore.

 Please contact City Hall at 469-1500 with any questions or concerns.

 

---

 

NEW BUFFALO ARTiGRAS!

National Call for Entries for 2014 Juried Art Festival

 

The New Buffalo ArtiGras! Art Festival features all types of original art by artists, and for the first time ever will welcome artisans and antique dealers. ARTigras! will now be held the last weekend in June: June 28 – June 29, 2014. ArtiGras! is celebrated in Downtown New Buffalo, just two blocks from beautiful Lake Michigan. Craft beers, local wines, food and light music add to the event.

 

New Buffalo ARTigras! is offering artists the opportunity to apply online for the summer's exciting line-up of festivals. The NBBA is running ARTigras this year and Artists can visit newbuffalo.org for more information.

 

---