Hopkins Township, the Village of Hopkins, Allegan County Sheriff’s Department and Hopkins Public Schools may agree to sharing the cost to have a full-time police officer in the community.
Deputy Tracey Keefauver was selected in March 2023 for school resource officer at Hopkins schools through a grant from the Office of School Safety to allow for the addition of a school resource officer.
The Hopkins Township Board Monday evening agreed to contribute 31 percent of the cost for the deputy. The Village of Hopkins will be asked to pony up 9 percent and the Hopkins Public Schools $112,40.
As the SRO for at the past three years, Keefauver has helped the district to ensure the physical safety of children and adults in the local schools, has helped to develop and update safety procedures, emergency operations plans and implement best practices. She also has educated students in law-related topics and provided staff with safety training.
The SRO position is partially supported by a fiscal year 2023 grant awarded by the State of Michigan and administered by the Michigan State Police. However, Township Treasurer Eric Alberda since then has indicated that the grant will expire this month and and four local government entities are being asked to share the costs in having her work in the community on a more permanent basis.
Hopkins has not had a local police officer since grant funding for Rachel Sadowski dried up almost a decade ago.
Ben Haas, representing the Allegan County Sheriff’s Department, promised that Keefauver will remain on duty ion the community even when schools are closed for the summer and Christmas and spring breaks.
When asked how the township can afford to make a contribution of $35,000 per year, Supervisor Cade Bolser said the township has just received $39,000 from last year’s payments from the Gun Lake Tribe of of Potawatomis.
In other business at the regular meeting, the Township Board:
- Approved spending the remaining $4,875 in the casino fund on playground equipment at the North Park.
- Approved on a 3-2 vote contracting with Southwest Michigan Dust Control for the coming year. The bid of $23,500 for each of two applications was taken over a similar proposal from SWB. Trustees Chuck Wamhof and Bob Modreske dissented.
- Approved increased fees for cemeteries in the township, last done in April 2011. Residents’ costs will be bumped from $100 to $150, non-residents from $800 to $1,000. Grave opening costs for residents will go from $475 to $575 and non-residents from $575 to $725. Cremations openings are $250 and $350 for non-residents. Infant grave opening costs will be $200 for residents and $300 for non-residents. The township will take over snow plowing duties.
- Noted the Zoning Board of Appeals will have a public hearing at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, on the proposed solar ordinance.
- Announced that the Wayland Area Emergency Services budget was approved last month and employees were granted 10% raises.
- Approved the Allegan County road graveling projects on two miles on 126th Avenue from 20th Street to 16th Street and on 22nd Street between 126th and 124th Avenues.
