The Wayland City Council vote was 5-2, as expected, to apply again for a state grant to help fund a proposed paved recreational bicycle and walking trail from Dahlia Street to 133rd Avenue along the interurban.

The council has been discussing the matter for several years and it voted along similar lines a year ago to apply for a state grant of $276,000 to help pay for the north-south interurban trail, but it did not win it. The City of Wayland was encouraged to apply again, and the vote was taken after a public hearing in which no one objected.

The hope is that the state Department of Natural of Resources grant of $276,000 can be used with a $322,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Transportation and a $125,000 local match pledged by the Downtown Development Authority to absorb the estimated $723,000 total cost of the project.

Audience member Ray Antel told the council, “I’m excited this process is going forward. I am a huge supporter of the trail.”

The two newest appointees to the City Parks Commission, Sharon Nelson and Mimi Byrne, wholeheartedly agreed with Antel.

“I agree with everything he (Antel) just said,” Nelson said.

Byrne added “I think it (the proposed trail) is a great thing for the city. I’m all for it.”

Council members Tim Rose and Tracy Bivins have opposed the trail consistently and they both voted against the resolution to apply for the grant.

Rose explained, “I am still concerned that our two neighboring communities (Wayland and Leighton townships) are not on board yet.”

Councilwoman Jennifer Antel replied that both townships, immediately north and south of the city, have written letters of support for Wayland’s application.

Bivins countered, “They don’t have the money to do the trail at this time.”

Antel replied, “But they could apply for grants, just like we did.”

Bivins and Rose have expressed the fear that Wayland could have a trail to nowhere if Leighton and Wayland townships do not connect to it.

City Manager Mike Selden said, “It’s got to start somewhere…” suggesting Wayland’s project may provide impetus for others to get on board.

Councilman Rick Mathis pointed out that the only cost to the city right now is the approximate $1,000 for submitting the grant application. The two state grants and DDa funds are expected to cover the entire cost.

After the 5-2 vote was made, Selden told the council news about whether or not the grant is approved probably won’t be available until November.

PHOTO: New City Parks Commission members Mimi Byrne (left) and Sharon Nelson expressed support for submitting an application for a DNR grant for a paved north-south interurban trail.