Despite Trustee John Tuinstra’s objections to sending the Allegan County Drain Commission “a blank check,” the Dorr Township Board Thursday night voted 6-1 to proceed as customary with a cleaning and repair operation for the Bates Drain in Moline.

Tuinstra said he wants to see an estimate of the cost of the project first.

Under current state law that dates back to 1956, residents in a drain district petition to have an improvement project done and they will pay for 80 percent of the final costs. The township usually is asked to authorize a resolution giving its blessing to the petition.

A Board of Determination and the Drain Commissioner, in this case Denise Medemar, then will have a hearing with the residents to examine the need and what is being asked to be done.

Trustee Dan Weber explained, “They won’t start a project unless somebody petitions them.”

In other business at Thursday night’s meeting, the board:

• Learned that the Planning Commission earlier this month approved a special use permit for an asphalt plant in the industrial park next to the Exxon gas station near the U.S.-131 expressway.

Commissioner Terri Rios, who cast the lone vote against the development, said she is concerned the business will put too much additional traffic pressure on 142^nd Avenue and it will be open 24/7 between April and November.

• Approved the reappointments of Chandler Stanton and Les Myers to three-year seats on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Stanton promised that if he is elected to a Township Board seat this November, he will resign the ZBA post.
• Was told by Treasurer Jim Martin it has been estimated that state revenue sharing will be cut by about $79,000 because of the Coronavirus-fueled economic downturn. Also at risk for revenue loss is the Gun Lake Casino payment, which last year totaled almost $39,000.
• Approved Wolverine Fireworks for providing a display on the Fourth of July, with the Dorr Business Association picking up the costs. Officials said it’s their understanding the annual Fourth of July Parade is still a go.
• Approved the Maintenance Department’s purchase of a backup grass fire truck from the Dorr Fire Department for $5,000.
• Approved on a 5-2 vote the purchase of a new Ferris Zero Turn mower for a price of $9,698 from Walaters Equipment of Grand Rapids. Tuinstra and Clerk Debbie Sewers voted “no.”