The Berrien County Board of Commissioners is preparing for the possible disincorporation of the village of Baroda as village leaders form a commission to study the question.
As we’ve previously reported, a signed petition to dissolve the village and have Baroda Township absorb it has been submitted to the village and is under review. That’s led to the formation of the commission that will study the implications of such a move.
Speaking to colleagues Thursday, Berrien County Commissioner Jim Curran said the county Administration Committee this week met with Berrien County Road Department Managing Director Mark Heyliger and learned this matter raises questions about local roads.
“There have been conversations about what to do with their roads within the village,” Curran said. “Basically what I told Mark is any conversations he has with them says contingent upon what what the board of commissioners wants to do.”
Curran said the committee is now preparing a resolution to bring to the full board to prepare for whatever happens.
“We have a practice. We do not have a policy on accepting roads into the county road system. We’re developing that policy now.”
Curran said Heyliger is in ongoing talks with Baroda village officials, just as those local leaders are having talks with several entities.
Commissioner Terri Freehling pointed out that Baroda is only studying the possibility of disincorporation and that it’s not a done deal. A vote of residents would be needed to complete any disincorporation.
