The Leighton Township Board has committed to making a request for extra road millage in the November general election.
The board Thursday evening agreed to put a question on the Nov. 3 ballot after citizen Steve Shoemaker, chairman of a special citizens’ road committee, asked for some kind of request this year so the committee’s work is not in vain.
“We’d like a commitment from the board as to whether you’re going to have it on the ballot or not,” Shoemaker said.
It was noted that the Township Board in the August 2018 primary asked for and received approval for renewal of a one-mill levy, but a request for another half mill was defeated by 94 votes.
Trustee John Hooker noted that a half mill may not be enough money to get a lot done. One mill in Leighton is worth about $230,000.
“We spend almost that much (of a half mill) on a culvert,” he said.
Supervisor Steve Deer said, “We try to spend this money as wisely as possible for the maximum benefit.”
Shoemaker and a small group of citizens have been meeting to try to find ways to improve roads within the township, using the Dorr Township Roads Committee as a model.
Shoemaker said the committee members have noted the most support for road improvements seems to be coming from the eastern half of the township, which has a lot of gravel roads.
Hooker estimated that “Eighty-five percent of the roads in the township are the township’s (financial responsibility.”
The amount that will be sought has not been determined yet, but local voters can expect to see the question on the general election ballot.
In other business at Thursday night’s meeting, the board:
- Scheduled a public hearing on the proposed 2020-21 fiscal year budget for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 12, a half hour before the regular meeting.
- Agreed to spend $50,000 on paving the shoulders along 144th Avenue.
- Accepted new firefighter Joe Laidler, bringing the number of Leighton Township Fire Department volunteers to 29.
- Adopted a resolution increasing the pay of board members by 2.3%, the Department of Labor’s suggestion of the cost of living increase for 2019.
- Was told by Allegan County Sheriff’s Deputy Bernard Austoff that he has spent more time than before on ticketing speeding motorists alonmg 12th Street, in response to residents’ complaints.
