Frankenmuth

STAY UPDATED WITH NEIGHBORS During the past few years, the Frankenmuth Police Department has worked with residents who have a Ring doorbell to share video, etc., whether it is related to a suspected crime or even a missing pet. The City has now officially partnered with Ring to join the Neighbors App. Neighbors allows you, the user, to share photos, videos and information related to local crime and safety incidents so fellow residents can stay informed. The Frankenmuth Police Department can view what local residents have posted publicly to Neighbors and can now chime-in with relevant updates or safety alerts to help residents stay informed. You do not need a Ring device to join Neighbors. Anyone with a smartphone who lives within Frankenmuth city or township can download the Neighbors App in order to receive updates and have the option to post photos or videos from any device. Use your smart phone or other device to download Neighbors from the app store. Feel free to spread the word and make sure to always report criminal activity or emergency situations directly to 911. For non-emergencies during business hours, please call Frankenmuth Police Department at 989-652-8371. T O F L U S H O R N O T T O F L U S H ? This year, our Water Resource Recovery Facility and Department of Public Works have spent hours dealing with an impact of Covid-19 that we did not anticipate – an influx of "flushable" wipes into our sanitary sewer system. Only things that are easily biodegradable should be flushed – that means toilet paper and what you assume would normally end up in the toilet. Something that is actually easily biodegradeable and being labeled as "flushable or biodegradeable" are two different things. Though most wipes can biodegrade overtime (weeks or months), flushing them down the toilet doesn't allow enough time for that to happen. Instead they can get stuck – either in your system or in ours. Simply put – if it isn't a normal bodily function and it isn't toilet paper – don't flush it. In the past year, the City has had to clean blocked sanitary sewers twice due to wipes. They also get stuck in pump stations and can cause serious damage. According to Frankenmuth Waste Treatment Superintendent Mark Schluckbier, there are a number of other things you shouldn't pour down the sink or flush down the toilet. These include scouring pads, clothing, plastics, greases and oils, as well as paints, flammable liquids, and medication. This list comes from our Waste Treatment Superintendent and he and his staff has seen it all. If you need to get rid of paint or flammable liquids, the MidMichigan Waste Authority (recyclemotion. org) hosts drop offs throughout the year to dispose of those items. The Frankenmuth Police Department will dispose of unwanted medication and prescription pills. If you have questions, just call us at 989-652-9901. The City is very proud of how we run and maintain our sanitary sewer and waste treatment facilities – in fact we like to consider it more of a "clean water plant" once we're finished. Help us keep up the good work and only flush it if you're supposed to. 22

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