Martin Township will lose three local officials at the beginning of next year.
Township Clerk Rachelle Smit submitted her resignation Wednesday evening to the Township Board after serving for seven years. She will begin her new job as state representative from the 43rd District after winning the general election Nov. 8.
Township Supervisor Glenn Keep said he expects Smit’s successor will be appointed at the board’s next meeting Wednesday, Jan. 10.
The township also is losing longtime Planning Commission Chairman Pete Zeinstra, who intends to retire, as does Sexton Mark Simpson.
Simpson’s decision sets in motion the Township Board’s plans to adopt an ordinance amendment resetting fees for cemetery services. Cost for a full burial will increase to $600, cremations remain at $200, and footings will increase to 60 cents per square inch. There will be an additional $100 fee for holiday and weekend burials.
In other business Wednesday evening, the board:
- Was told by JC Wheeler Library Board President Alice Kelsey that Vice President Jill Yowler has resigned and her replacement is being sought.
- Accepted the only bid of $1,100 for 10 Martin Fire and Rescue used tires. The money will be placed in the department’s equipment fund.
- Decided to take $100,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to pay the final bill for paving 122nd Avenue. Final cost was $337,000. The ARPA fund now has about $47,000.
- Learned from County Commissioner Gale Dugan that the County Board has gone ahead with plans to renovate the county building in downtown Allegan to accommodate a new Circuit Court at a cost of up to $110 million.
