Not everybody is enthusiastic about prospects for sustainable business park at a Dorr Township site formerly targeted for a new landfill.
Dorr Township Supervisor Jeff Miling Thursday evening told Township Board members the Kent County Board of Commissioners appear to be evenly split about a proposal to use a 250-acre site for recycling up to 90 percent of waste. Dorr Township is on board and has contributed $200,000 of its America Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to the project.
Because the Kent County landfill is nearing capacity, a site in northeast Allegan County is where the next landfill is supposed to be established.
Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc – Solid Waste Management has submitted a master plan for the 250 acres to convert waste materials into marketable products. Joining GBB for this key assignment as planning partners are Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber, Inc., a local Grand Rapids-based Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Architecture, and Construction Management firm; Byrum & Fisk Advocacy Communications, a local stakeholders engagement communications firm; and PFM, the nation’s largest independent financial advisor to public entities.
The Kent County Department of Public Works and other supporters of the plan have presented to Dorr Township officials a bold goal to divert 90% of county-generated trash that goes to landfills by 2030.
Just about everybody, including the Dorr Township Board, has expressed support.
Miling commented Thursday night, “We’d really like to have a (sustainable business) park, not a dump.”
If the Kent County Board rejects the plan, the township’s contribution of $200,000 will be withdrawn.
This has prompted Dorr Township Parks Commission representative to ask for $100,000 to help fund a proposed 1,000-linear foot walking trail around North Park. The facility already has won $200,000 in ARPA money for a new parking lot.
Winters said the trail would “guarantee emergency access that right now is lacking.
“We want to provide our community with a safe place to walk and run,” Winters told the board.
No action was taken on the parks proposal because of the uncertainty about the sustainable business park.
In other business at Thursday night’s meeting, the Township Board:
- Was given a presentation from Clerk Debbie Sewers about the nine-day stipulation for open polls for next year’s elections. She said the township has decided to “go it alone” in keeping polls open for voting in the nine days, maintaining she would be uncomfortable with having Dorr ballots being kept elsewhere. She said the added costs to the township of Proposal 2 from the 2022 election could be up to $25,000.
- Was told by Library Director Jeff Babbit that there is one vacancy on the Library Board. The seat could be filled more permanently in the 2024, but a temporary appointment now would be helpful. Meanwhile, public interest and services at the Dorr Township Library are at an all-time high.
• Learned from Fire Chief Gary Fordham that used masks and equipment at the fire department may be shipped up north to departments who need such equipment.
• Approved the rezoning requests for rezoning property on 14th Street owned by the late Russell and Viola Shoemaker from agricultural to rural estates, and the Baker property located next to Copart along 142nd Avenue, also from ag to rural estates. Both requests had won the blessing of the Planning Commission earlier this month.
Wonder why it is alleged that some Kent County Commissioners may not be in full support of such a wonderful project? Moreover when little Dorr is offering $200k? Offer em another $200k it’s just the tax payers money, funny stuff Amigos. Damn funny stuff. My opinion, my choice.
David A.K.
Most likely they did a bit of research and realized “a lot of smoke has been blown.”
Plus it will save money and environmental problems that will arise when the project fails. Much easier to start with the landfill. Then all the legal issues removing buildings, contaminated soil and other environmental issues just to turn it into a landfill.
It’s been years since this world saving project was in “sold to the township and county.” Just like the “snake oil” salesman as the truth starts to surface, they fail to return.
Mr. Smit,
Very good points. In my opinion, it is sad to see a small community being taken for a ride. Yet I am seldom surprised by “government” actions. My opinion, my choice.
David A.K.
One has to understand the community (residents/taxpayers). Unless it personally affects them, there is no concern. It’s only after the vehicle recycle business (junkyard) appears in or near their neighborhood do they raise concern. But alas it is much too late.
It is easy to place our concerns on “government” after the fact. Did not the majority elect these persons because we “trusted ” their actions to be in our best interests?
We as residents/taxpayers must, without being “overly zealous” inform our local government our concerns about these future projects.
As in the case of this project: The land sale could not have been stopped. It was possible with forethought in the master plan for the township. Certain land use may not have been possible.
Based on past experiences with Kent County, their residents, local governments and political figures, we residents of Allegan County (specifically Dorr and Leighton Townships) are a group of “Hayseeds.” Let’s sell them (Dorr Township) on the idea of reimagining trash. We (Kent County) know this may not get passed, though we still have the property to expand our landfill (at minimal cost and no unpleasant odor) in our county.
Yes, David, you are correct. No surprise with the local government units in Northeast Allegan County.
I received my bill from Arrowaste and in the bill was a flyer that opposes this project. They said they support the idea, but not at this time. They only mentioned how it will cost Kent County residents, nothing about Allegan County residents. I’m wondering in what county does the garbage from Allegan counties like Dorr, Wayland, Leighton end up?
The only “sustainable” element in this is the sustained flow of Kent County’s garbage into Allegan County. The notion as whole for that level of recycling is itself garbage. And nobody pitching it cares about what Mr. Milling (or anyone else) would “like” to have. It’s about the money.
How is it that the Kent County Board of Public Works as a foothold in Allegan County and Dorr Township?
Nothing I’ve seen talks about how this project serves our county or it’s townships.
Oh, wait a minute, we get a “safe” walking path around the vent pipes bleeding off the biogases.
So, they see us as like carp cleaning the impurities out of the air with our lungs.
Buz will be happy to organize and drive the multiple recall initiatives that need to happen if project passes.
I can probably get the township to cover the costs, they seem just about smart enough.
Buzz
Actually, our garbage and recycling does go to Kent County for processing.
Kent County bought the land (approx. 5+ years ago). The land purchase could not be stopped. The use of the land could have been regulated, but no one thought about it at the time.
It was at the time of the land purchase that I raised concern. But I was told there was no stopping a landfill. Then when the “The project to save the earth Reimagine Trash” was announced, I once again could gather no opposition against it.
They have been successful in destroying the habitat of an endangered bat species. There will be environment issues, water issues due to run off, traffic problems and other infrastructure problems.
Buzz….planning a recall has been proven to be unsuccessful in past years. The residents need to be more involved in what’s happening in the township. One can’t set back and wait until these projects break ground to start complaining.
The sad fact is the residents of Dorr Township must shoulder the blame if the landfill or reimagine trash project becomes reality.