Martin Township Clerk Rachelle Smit told her colleagues Wednesday night that Martin Township and Martin Village have prevailed in a lawsuit filed in Allegan County District Court.

She said Judge Roberts Kengis ruled against the Allegan County CARES Coalition, marijuana proponents, which maintained the clerk wrongfully did not allow the group to file petitions for a referendum on selling medical marijuana in the community.

The group wanted to have a vote to try to rescind the village and township rules forbidding the sale of marijuana, which both did by opting out of the regulations that would have permitted it after the passage of a state-wide ballot proposal in 2018.

However, Smit and other local officials said they wouldn’t be surprised if the group tried another referendum next year, which would be more appropriate when there will be a primary or general election.

The clerk said Martin is the first such court case in Allegan County, and the issue very well may resurface in the future.

“Part of the problem is that the law is so vague,” she said.

Another part of the problem is that the lawsuit cost the township taxpayers almost $10,000.

In other business at the meeting Wednesday, the Township Board:

• Was told by Ambulance Board representative Sarah Lynema that Wayland Area Emergency Medical Services is getting more expensive and remains extremely busy. She said Martin Township will be asked to contribute $16,054.40 next year, an increase of $520 over 2021. She added the service has been so busy that it has been asked to go as far as Hickory Corners in Barry County.

Lynema also said WAEMS expects to welcome two new ambulances in February at a cost of $170,000 apiece. Another vehicle will be ordered soon, but it will cost $200,000.

• Learned from Smit that Martin Township has received $122,534 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, which she hasn’t put anywhere yet in the budget.

• Agreed to spend $72 on three “no parking” signs by the Martin Fire Department building. Local firefighters indicated they would like the building sign to refer to it as “Martin Township Fire & Rescue,” which is opposed by Trustee John Schipper, who said he was concerned about the rescue name “because we do not do all types of rescue such as confined space or high tech rope type rescue.” 

• Was told by County Commissioner Rick Cain that the County Board hopes to craft a rule that it meet four times a year with at least one representative from the Health Department.