April 15, 2024
Welcome Fire Chief Matt Covey
Springfield Township is very fortunate to welcome Fire Chief Matthew Covey to our Fire Department family. Earlier this year, the Township Board interviewed three excellent candidates for the vacant chief position. Matt Covey was an early standout since he has been a resident of Springfield Township for 23 years and already served as Fire Chief for one of the largest fire departments in Oakland County. In addition to his outstanding experience serving on the Waterford Fire Department for 33 years, Chief Covey’s exceptional leadership qualities, focus on continuous improvement, and commitment to teamwork and collaboration ultimately demonstrated he is the right fit to lead our Fire Department.
I had the honor of formally introducing Matt Covey and administering the firefighter oath at the Township Board meeting on April 11. To see the ceremony, click here for the meeting video – select the agenda item in the Index Points or advance to 1:45 in the recording.
Springfield Township Fire Department members received an Achievement in Excellence Award from the Oakland County Medical Control Authority for their outstanding work on a difficult call earlier this year. This well-deserved recognition is just one example of the remarkable dedication, professionalism, and teamwork displayed by our Department members each and every day in their service to our community.
Pictured left to right in the photo are Rebecca Benedict, Earl Colloto, Kayla Harless, Lt. Randy Harless, Cory Strickland, Andre Willis, Kayla Jo Miner, Griffen Watts, Capt. Matt Strickland, Naomi Baksa, and Dr. Steve McGraw of Medical Control. Sgt. Jonathan Miner also was recognized for this award but is not pictured.
Jimmy John’s coming to Springfield Town Square
Residents will soon have another quick-service dining option on Dixie Highway. Jimmy John’s will join Dunkin and Wing Snob in the third and final unit at the outlot building in front of Kroger. The build out is already underway so watch for the grand opening soon.
Spring Clean-Up – Saturday, May 11
The Township Spring Clean-Up Day is held the second Saturday in May at the Springfield Oaks Activity Center from 8 a.m. to noon. This event is free for Springfield Township residents and property owners. Proof of residency or property ownership is required.
Available on site will be free paper shredding, tire collection, appliance and metal recycling, and general waste disposal. See this flyer for more information and a list of items not accepted.
Friends of the Library Book & Bake Sale – May 1 to 4
The Friends of the Springfield Township Library will host their spring Used Book & Bake Sale Wednesday, May 1 through Saturday, May 4. The May 1 pre-sale day is for Friends members only; if you’re not a Friend yet but you want first chance at the best finds, memberships will be sold at the door. Stop in for used books and freshly baked delights! For more information, visit the Library website here.
Register Now for Tacos To-Go
Pick up dinner for the whole family on May 2 at Parks & Recreation’s Tacos To-Go. Each meal is $10 and includes two beef tacos with soft shells and toppings, lime cilantro rice, black beans, and two snickerdoodle cookies. A drive thru area will be set up by the Hart Community Center kitchen door for pick up between 4:30 and 6pm. Meals are pre-order only and registration closes May 1.
See this flyer for more information and click here to register.
Margaret Tippen Memorial Walk Featured in Safety Magazine
On September 7, 2022, Margaret Tippen was struck and killed while taking her daily walk on Kier Road in Springfield Township. The following September, the Margaret Tippen Memorial Walk was held to raise awareness for pedestrian safety and commemorate Margaret Tippen.
Margaret’s daughter Erin Hoffman and husband Dave Hoffman proposed the idea for a walk during a meeting with me and Township Board Trustee Bill Whitley in early 2023. This initial meeting launched a community-wide planning effort with the help of Township staff, Springfield Township Fire Department, Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, Road Commission for Oakland County, and Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG).
The event was a tremendous success and hundreds of citizens participated in the two-mile walk that included portions of Bridge Lake and Kier Roads along Margaret’s daily route. The positive impact of this event inspired SEMCOG to feature the walk in their new magazine, Putting Safety First. See the feature and learn more about SEMCOG’s transportation safety plan through this link to the magazine online.
View previous Supervisor's Updates here