by Joseph Schultz
Deputy Chief Travis Masselink told the Leighton Township Board Thursday night that the 60 calls in the month of December brought the total calls for the Leighton Township Fire Department to 659 for 2025. That figure is 27% higher than the total calls the department had in 2024.
The largest increase in the calls were for medical response, which increased 25% over what the department had the year before.
“More people, more calls.” Masselink explained to the board.
The board will now need to figure out how the increased need for services will be funded. The township has already had the largest increase for its portion of the Wayland Area EMS service. These needs will be a concern that will be addressed when the board works on the township budget later this month.
The board also considered policy and guidelines for use by the Board of Review for Granting Poverty Exemptions. This policy was written in Lansing, and sent to the Township Board for their rubber stamp of approval.
However, before the board approved the policy, resident Bruce Gezon spoke up and asked if he would qualify for property tax relief. He stated that he was retired, and on a fixed income, but that he was, “getting taxed out of my property.”
After some discussion, Gezon was instructed to ask the property assessor, who could determine what relief, if any, he may be eligible for.
In other news from the township meeting:
- It was announced that the Gun Lake Casino presented the township with a check for $21,171.00. The casino shared the funds in appreciation for the township’s fire department assisting with fire and rescue coverage for the casino.
- The board also scheduled a budget meeting for 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20 to work on the township’s budget for 2026-27.
- Wrapping up the public comment part of the meeting, Zach Abbott introduced himself to the community as a candidate for state representative. An Air Force veteran, he desires to bring local issues, like affordable housing and health care, to Lansing. Those who want to find out more about Abbott can visit his website https://zachabbottformi.runtogether.us
