News Briefs – February 2021

Kathryn Sample, City of Wayne Finance Director, requested that City Council approve a waiver of the 3% Winter Tax Penalty on winter tax bills for payments received after February 15, 2021 through the end of the business day on March 1, 2021. “The City of Wayne has always followed the State Law and placed a 3% penalty on the winter tax bills for any payments received after February 14th,” Sample wrote in a memo. “This year there is a significant increase in the winter taxes due to a judgment levy. We recommend waiving the penalty for those who pay by 4:30 p.m. on March 1, 2021.”
The City Council approved the waiver at the December 15, 2020 meeting.

New homes will be available in Wayne this spring! Infinity Homes is currently establishing a V.I.P. list of individuals looking to have a new home built this Spring at Kiwanis Park in the City of Wayne. Be sure to reach out to Mary Kelley at 646-627-9528 to place yourself on the list for a brand new home in Wayne today.

Wayne has a new police officer! Officer Gino Criscenti was sworn in as a police officer for the Wayne Police Department on January 19. Officer Criscenti recently graduated from the Wayne County Regional Police Academy. Officer Criscenti fills a vacant, already-budgeted position with the department.
The Wayne Police Department was awarded a COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. The grant will partially fund an additional police officer at the Wayne PD. This officer will have a variety of duties, but his/her main focus would be on community policing. The officer would attend and organize community events, partner with community groups, and engage in crime prevention activities. The grant is effective through June 30, 2023. It requires that WPD keep the 27th officer until June 30, 2024. The federal grant for $125,000 will be spread over three years. The City will cover $102,572 spread over three years. The department does not yet have the 27th officer.

The Knights of Columbus #3021 Notre Dame Council, 3144 S. Wayne Rd. will be reopening their doors on Wednesday, February 3, at 5:30 p.m. The Lounge will be open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 5:30 -10:00 p.m. There is karaoke every Friday night from 6:30-9:30 p.m. A limited menu will be available. Starting February 18, the Lounge will host Euchre Night. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for dinner and drinks. Drop in players are welcome.

The Wayne Bicycle Club is rolling on out in 2021. This group is for all who love to ride, build and/or customize their bicycles. All ages are welcome. Meet at the State Wayne Theatre at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday evenings. The group rolls out at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit the groups Facebook page.

The Wayne Public Library is open to the public. You will need to enter through the doors by the Veterans Plaza. Browsing is limited to 30 minutes for grab and go service. Please do not visit if you are sick. The plaza pick-up service is still available if you wish to do no-contact pick up of materials. Call the library for more information.

The City of Wayne now has a Wayne County COVID-19 testing site. Two new, cost-free testing sites with reportedly shorter waiting times were opened in Wayne and Dearborn, both sites at HYPE locations. The sites are open 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. on Saturday.
HYPE Athletics Center — Wayne, 4635 Howe Road, Wayne, MI 48184
HYPE Athletics Center — Dearborn Heights, 23302 W. Warren Avenue, Dearborn Heights, MI 48127

Officials say the diagnostic COVID-19 tests are offered at no cost, and are available via drive-thru or walk-in. All individuals over 5 years old are eligible to get tested, though minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Individuals interested in testing do not require a doctor’s order or pre-registration before visiting the site. Officials say insurance is requested but not required to undergo testing.

Individuals who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms are encouraged to get tested and quarantine until test results are received to prevent the spread of the virus. Symptoms can develop up to 14 days after exposure to the virus.