The Martin Township Board Wednesday evening voted to agree with a request to change rules on who is eligible to serve on the Gun Lake Area Sewer and Water Board.

Historically, the board has been made up entirely of the supervisors of the four townships in the sewer and water authority’s service area — Orangeville, Yankee Springs, Martin and Wayland. That would mean that Martin Supervisor Glenn Leep, Orangeville Supervisor Tom Rook, Wayland Supervisor Roger VanVolkingburg and Mark Englerth at Yankee Springs are the current board members.

However, a request has been made to allow each of the four township boards to appoint its representative, as long as that person is a member of the Township Board.

Leep said Wednesday evening he heard there have been some internal issues in Yankee Springs that have prompted the move. He noted Orangeville and Wayland townships already have agreed.

Meanwhile, the Gun Lake Area Sewer & Water Authority will hold a public hearing on the proposed $3 million Clean Water State Revolving Fund Project Plan at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 2, at the Yankee Springs Township Hall, 284 N. Briggs Road.

The purpose of the proposed improvements in the project plan are intended to replace aging equipment, upgrade processes to improve efficiency and help reduce operation costs, and improve reliability and redundancy of the wastewater treatment plant and collection system.

It is expected that construction of the improvements will include wastewater treatment plant improvements involving the influent pump station, grit removal system, fine screen, aeration basins, final clarifiers, aerobic digesters, septage receiving, general building controls and solids storage; and collection system improvement projects to include lift station upgrades and repairing a sanitary intercepting sewer.

The proposed improvements are expected to include minor disturbances at the wastewater treatment plant and collection system locations for improvements and replacement of existing equipment.

The total construction costs for the proposed improvements are estimated at $3,010,302. The proposed improvements could increase GLASA sewer customers’ quarterly bills. The authority will conduct a rate study to determine the appropriate cost distribution prior to loan closing.