Dorr Twp. finds way to be contentious on culvert project

As so often is the case in Dorr Township Board meetings, seemingly routine matters became contentious.

Trustee John Tuinstra led a failed one-man revolt Thursday evening against the township contracting with the Allegan County Road Commission to have one culvert replaced for $15,000 and another for $20,000. One is located at 21^st Street north of 144^th Avenue and the other at 138^th Avenue west of 16^th Street.

Tuinstra moved to have project approval delayed until next month’s meeting of the Township Board. He failed to get a second.

“We can’t vote to approve this until we get the whole picture,” he maintained. “I want us to make an informed decision,” insisting the culverts be inspected first to see if there really is a need for the work.

“None of us have actually looked at both projects,” he added.

Trustee Dan Weber countered that the Road Commission has a lot of projects on its plate this summer and, “If we hold this up a month, it may not get done at all.”

Township Supervisor Jeff Miling said the Road Commission has determined the work is needed and he questioned whether Tuinstra was better informed than the engineers about the work.

At one point, Tuinstra became noticeably perturbed with Miling, saying, “I think you’re being sarcastic. You’re being disrespectful.”

In the end, the board voted 6-1 to proceed with the work orders for the projects.

The Township Board handled a lot of business regarding infrastructure, particularly roads. In other matters, members:

• Approved the bid of $51,400 from Stoneco for graveling for 2.3 miles on 138^th Avenue east from 24^th Street and about two miles on 16^th Street from 142^nd Avenue south to 138^th.
• Was told by Clerk Debbie Sewers that the township is running out of cemetery space and there may be overtures for the Louis Bartz property of 18 acres.
• Approved the expenditure of $750 for dust control on 136^th Avenue from 12^th Street to 18^th Street. Miling said he will ask Hopkins Township to pay for half of the work because the road travels three miles along the line between the two townships, but the Hopkins Township Board voted not to do any dust control this year.
• Decided to bid out for the job of sexton of cemeteries because maintenance employee Jared Simon declined to do the work.

“He told me he’s got enough to do and needs all his time to keep up with his work,” Miling said.

Bob Merren will retire from job as of Jan. 1, so the township will seek bids and review the top three in October.

PHOTOS: John Tuinstra   Jeff Miling