The Hopkins Township Board Monday night almost approved spending $3,300 to make safety improvements at the intersection of 130th Avenue and 22nd Street. The operative word here is “almost.”
The board defeated 3-2 a proposal to have two flashing stop signs installed at the corner in the wake of a recent fatal traffic crash. Some local residents, including Township Treasurer Eric Alberda, have been reporting that motorists are not stopping for two stop signs at the intersection, despite notices that 130th Avenue traffic does not stop.
The vote came after the board approved 3-2 a recommendation from the Allegan County Road Commission to “not to any more than what’s been already done” for the corner.
Alberda said, “I think it’s something that needs to be done for that corner and I think lights is a good starting point.”
Supervisor Mark Evans chimed in, “You know, somebody did die there… The signs will be good for awhile, but then it’ll be back to the same old thing… I’d rather err on the side of caution.”
But Trustee Chuck Wamhoff countered, “I don’t see where spending the money will change anything.”
In other business at Monday night’s meeting, the Township Board:
• Learned that the township’s bill for the services of Thaddeus E. Morgan of the Lansing firm of Fraser Trebilcock was $3,476.50. Morgan agreed to a contract for $320 per hour and a retainer fee of $2,500, all of which comes out of the general fund.
Morgan was hired to represent Hopkins Township in its action against the way the Gun Lake Casino disperses revenue sharing to local municipalities.
• Expressed opposition to a bill in the State Legislature that reform local assessing practices by insisting all assessors have at least a Level III license.
“If they implement this, it’s going to cost us a lot more money,” said Evans, who added that it will adversely impact local control.
• Appointed Evans and Trustee Bob Modreske to represent the township in negotiations on a fire contract to cover the Jijak Foundation Camp.
• Agreed to seek bids for maintenance and lawn mowing services for the cemeteries.
Evans commented, “It’s been a learning experience that you can’t do it for $4,000.”
