As the calendar year begins, the Watson Township Board features a majority of its members with less than two years of experience.
Clerk Mary Ann Baker and Trustee Joseph Yearous are serving on only their second meeting after being elected in the primary last August and Treasurer Tera Davis was appointed in April 2023 to succeed Stephanie Caulder.
That leaves Supervisor Kevin Travis and Trustee Michelle Harris as the only board members with at least eight years on the job.
Regardless, the Township Board started the new year on Thursday evening, Jan. 2.
Others starting terms for the township after earning appointments are Jim Davis and Travis Long, three-year terms on the Planning Commission; Jim Lautenschleger, Jim Kelsey and John VanDyke, three-year terms on the Zoning Board of Appeals, and Scott Southwick, Dan Boniface and Jim Kelsey, three-year terms on the Construction Board of Appeals.
In other business at the meeting Thursday night, the board:
- Was told by recently re-elected State Rep. Rachelle Smit that she has been selected as Michigan House Speaker Pro Tem, assisting House Speaker Matt Hall, also serving part of Allegan County.
- Learned that Trevor Beilby has assumed duties as chief of the Hopkins Area Fire Department.
- Received a report from Code Enforcement Officer Jim Davis that he handled 50 cases in 2024 and there still are three cases pending.
- Was told by Wheeler Library Board Member Alice Kelsey that the departure of the Wayland Area Emergency Services in a corner of the library has been filled by expansion of the library in Martin.
- Agreed to submit to the Allegan County Road Commission a bid estimate of $20,000 for graveling 123rd Avenue 0.77 mile to 22nd Street and an estimate of $50,000 for gravel on 14th Street at 112th Avenue two miles to M-222.
- In their December meeting agreed to use the remaining money in the local American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fund for the Seven Generations Park at M-222 and 20th Street.
