State Rep. Rachelle Smit of Shelbyville came calling on the Dorr Township Board Thursday evening and learned she and local officials share discomfort with state government.
Smith told board members the bad news that legislators are considering take over rules and regulations for solar energy, for gravel mining, elections and taking out dams on rivers and lakes. The consensus is that such issues should be handled by local government units.
Smit told the board she just can’t see the wisdom in many of the efforts on behalf of green energy, saying, “I don’t see where this is sustainable (and more expensive). If you ask me, it’s a disastrous plan.
Trustee John Tuinstra said he opposes the implementation of solar panels, wind turbines and the like, insisting that climate change is “just a hypothesis” with no evidence of even existing.
In other business at Thursday’s meeting, the board:
- Fielded a request from Amanda Winters to share costs of Christmas lighting at the North Park along 142nd Avenue. Jen Aalderink of the Dorr Business Association said the Downtown Development Authority would handle half of it. Winters also noted that a bid of $182,900 has been accepted for the completion of a parking lot at the park.
- Was told by Winters that she has been approached about having a five-week music program at the park in July. Cost has been estimated at $8,000.
- Agreed to have a special work session to decide how the remaining $280,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funds should be spent before the end of the year. Treasurer Laurie Perry said the state will provide an extra 1% of revenue sharing to those who spend all their ARPA funds by the end of the year. The date has been yet to be determined.
- Was told by Perry that the township has saved about $50,000 in its budget because of investments in the past year.
- • Learned from Fire Chief Gary Fordham that the department reached an estimated 650 students during Fire Prevention Month.
