About
Published by dexterjournal on Sunday, July 6, 2008
My name is Joe Semifero and I am a member of the Dexter Village Council in Dexter, MI. Dexter is a small town about 5 miles west of Ann Arbor, MI with a beautiful downtown, a great school district, and a lot of good people.
I was first elected to the Village Council in March, 2002 and I was re-elected in March, 2004 for a two year term. In 2005 (I believe), Michigan changed the state election laws and villages had to go to elections either every two years (and re-elect the entire board) or every two years, with half of the board being elected to four year terms. We chose to elect the board to staggered four year terms, and my term was extended to this November, 2008.
On Council I have been fortunate to serve in a number of capacities. I have been on the Dexter Area Fire Board for about five years, having served two of those years as the DAFD Board’s chair. I also am a member of the Utilities Committee for the Village, where we investigate and make recommendations to Council on matters relating to water, sewer, and garbage. We have made great strides over the last five to six years on the Utilities Committee and the Water and Sewer Funds in the Village now stand alone as true enterprise funds, without being subsidized by the Village General Fund. I also am the VIllage Council representative to the Parks Commission.
Everyone on Council serves as part of the budget committee and I am proud to say we have maintained a flat tax for residents of the Village. Put another way, if you did not sell your home or make improvements that changed the value of the home (decks, additions, etc.) then the amount paid in taxes to the Village (not to the state, county, or townships) by a homeowner is the same in dollar amount as it was in 2002.
There are a number of issues of interest at Council at this time. We currently are investigating becoming a city. This is a big step and there are strong feelings on both sides of the issues. We are looking for a possible new location for a Village Hall. The Mill Creek Dam has just been removed and the Mill Pond Park Committee (of which I have the honor of being a part) is working on a new park that could eventually extend from Warrior Creek Park to the school property to the south near Shield Road. Hudson Mills Metro Park is establishing a trail, and through the cooperation of the Village, the County, and the Metro Parks, we are hoping to have a trail that will connect the residents of the Village west of the railroad viaduct to the Village with a safe walkable path for the first time. This trail would extend to North Territorial Road through the Metro Parks and function as part of the Border to Border trail project. It is really an amazing time in the Village.
Overall, I think the Councils I have served on have done pretty well. We have had our missteps and we may again in the future. We keep on doing the best we can, and I will keep trying to do the best I can do for the residents of the Village of Dexter.
