The Martin Township Board is sponsoring an open house next week Monday on the proposed recreation park and playground in the field between Clippers Cafe and JC Wheeler Library on 10th Street.
The project has been ongoing for more than a year under the leadership of outgoing Treasurer Sue Tiemeyer, who plans to submit an application for a federal grant.
The land is directly across the street from the township hall inside the village. Tiemeyer and a special committee have been working on bringing a park and playground to the site for some time. The group has had meetings and the grant application will be submitted soon.
Tiemeyer told colleagues on the board that included in the plan is to install a splash pad very similar to what the City of Wayland did in its City Park.
Supervisor Glenn Leep said the public will be asked at the open house to decide which of three architect’s renderings pleases them the most. The winner will be presented in the grant application.
The open house is scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m. Monday at the township hall.
The Township Board, at its regular meeting Wednesday night, agreed to set aside $50,000 specifically for a local match to the remaining $150,000 of the grant.
Leep explained, “We have to show them (the money) before we apply for the grant.” About the open house, he said, “This is the public’s opportunity to weigh in (on what the park will look like).”
In other business Wednesday evening, the Township Board:
• Was visited by former township clerk and current State Rep. Rachelle Smit, who presented Tiemeyer with a plaque thanking her for her service totalling 20 years. Tiemeyer, who is retiring at the end of this moth, served alongside Smit for seven years.
- Was told by Allegan County Commissioner Gale Dugan that he has been “shaking trees in Lansing” in order to find some state revenue support for small communities negatively impacted by recent weather disasters. Martin a year ago was visited by a funnel cloud.
- Approved the addition of community newcomers Rich Avery to Martin Fire & Rescue.
- Awarded the bid for dust control to SWC Enterprises of Byron Center at a cost of $11,875.
- Awarded the lawn care bid to CutItUp of Kalamazoo. Trustee John Schipper noted the five bids received was the most ever for lawn care.
- Was told by Rep. Smit that the Michigan House already has passed a bill to limit school elections only to the November general every two years. She explained that some school districts have millage elections in May, February and August when fewer voters show up at the polls.
