A millage request for three-fourths of a mill for fire and emergency services equipment will be on the Nov. 6 general election ballot in Martin Township.
The levy would apply to township taxes for four years, 2019 through 2022.
The ballot proposal reads, “If approved and levied, this millage would raise an estimated $68,655 in the first year of the levy. All or a portion of the revenues from this millage will be disbursed to the Martin Township Fire Department for the acquisition and maintenance of fire and emergency services equipment.”
In other business at Wednesday night’s meeting, the Martin Township Board:
• Approved a request from Assessor Joshua Simmons to have his wife, Krista, perform the duties of the job under his supervision because his job with St. Joseph County is taking up a lot of time. Krista earlier this year earned her assessing certification.
• Adopted an ordinance amendment, as recommended by the Planning Commission designating contractor operations with limited outdoor storage as needing a special exception use.
• Adopted an ordinance permitting the increase of Gun Lake Area Sewer Authority fees to about $32 per month per user or $4.25 per thousand gallons of use.
“This is part of a plan to keep the system solvent,” explained Supervisor Glenn Leep.
• Approved participation in the Allegan County Pictometry project at a cost of $853.
• Was told by Fire Chief Earl Wykstra that a mouse had broken into a department water tank and chewed a hole in the bottom. He suggested a pest control service be notified.
• Was informed the Planning has updated the master plan, as it is required to do every five years.
• Learned from Clerk Rachelle Smit that the Freedom of Information request from “Emily” for copies of 1,229 ballots in the 2016 election is on hold.
“We don’t have the equipment to handle the request,” Smith said. “It’s annoying. Why are they doing this when there’s another election (November 2018) coming up?”
