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Hopkins Twp., Village plan to forge sewer agreement

Hopkins Township and the Village of Hopkins Tuesday evening are expected to vote on a 425 agreement to provide village sewer services to 25 properties along 12th Street from 135th Avenue south to 130th adjacent to the U.S.-131 expressway.

Wayland City Manager Josh Eggleston told the council Monday night that the issue should be placed on the next City Council meeting agenda Oct. 18 for discussion only. He added that the Michigan State Boundary Commission is expected to take up the matter Nov. 10.

The legal firm for Hopkins Township has drawn up the agreement and a special meeting at the Hopkins District Library will commence at 7:30.

Hopkins Township, which created a Downtown Development District encompassing the properties, this past summer proposed a similar arrangement with Dorr Township, but it didn’t pass muster when Dorr declined to participate. Supervisor Jeff Miling said he was concerned when Realtor Brian Silvernail said he and property owners filed a petition to the Boundary Commission with the City of Wayland for annexation of the parcels.

So Hopkins Township Supervisor Mark Evans and comrades then took the proposed 425 arrangement to the Village of Hopkins, which operates its own sewer system and treatment facility.

Evans has publicly said the property owners along the expressway will be stuck with the bill reflecting a 16-mill levy if they do business with the City of Wayland, much higher than the costs of the village sewer service.

In other business at the meeting Monday night, council members:

  • Stopped short of appointing Steven Stepek to a vacancy on the Planning Commission because he was not present. Mayor Pro Tem Jennifer Antel said she could recommend him regardless.

“He’s a parent of one of my (cross-country) athletes,” she said. “I think he will be a huge asset on the Planning Commission.”

Stepek, who is expected to succeed the retiring Sam Dykstra, will appear the council’s Oct. 18 meeting for further consideration.

  • Heard Mayor Tim Bala officially proclaim 5:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31, as the date and time for the annual Halloween trick-or-treating activities.

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