• Assistant Township Manager & Director of Public Works & Engineering, Derek Perry, discusses this year's citizen survey results.

MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - The results of the latest National Citizen Survey (NCS) was presented at the February 5 Meridian Township Board meeting.

The NCS report is about the "livability" of Meridian Township. It measures the desirability of the Township as not only where people live, but where they want to live. The report was mailed to 1,600 residents evenly and randomly dispersed across the Township. Of those, 345 (23%) residents completed the survey which captures residents' opinions within the three pillars of a community (Community Characteristics, Governance and Participation) across eight central facets of community (Safety, Mobility, Natural Environment, Built Environment, Economy, Recreation and Wellness, Education and Enrichment and Community Engagement).

Here are some of the results:

-Regarding their sense of community, survey results showed that 55 percent of residents thought it was either good or excellent. On top of that 94 percent of residents say that they would recommend living in Meridian Township.

-There are 147 miles of local roads but only 26 percent are rated from good to excellent. There is a proposed millage increase that will fix and maintain the local roads. 69 percent of people surveyed supported the increase while 31 percent opposed.

-Street repair was at 21 percent approval which is lower than the national average.

-The community's feelings towards the environment were apparent as natural areas preservation and open space were both given a 76 percent approval rating.

Some of the main points were that residents continue to maintain a high quality of life. Residents are happy with transportation services, and keeping up the quality of the natural environment is important to them.

Since 2003, the Township has surveyed its residents every three years.