Martin Township is looking into the possibility of having a small recreational park with a splash pad on 10th Street between the Wheeler Library and the Clipper Cafe.
Township Treasurer Sue Tiemeyer Wednesday evening told colleagues she is a member of a committee that is considering applying for a Department of Natural Resources grant to fund most of the project.
The Township Board agreed to the grant application with cap for the local match at $200,000, or 25 percent.
Tiemeyer asked, “Do you guys even want a park in Martin Township? Maybe this won’t happen this year, I don’t know… I don’t have solid numbers yet (for the expense).”
She noted the deadline to submit the application is April 1, which right now is short notice.
Wayland’s splash pad in its City Park served as a model and inspiration for the idea of having a similar scaled-down facility in Martin. The city put its project together several years ago and the reviews have been very positive.
The vacant lot where the park would go in is on the west side of 10th Street just south of the downtown traffic light.
In other business Wednesday, the Township Board:
- Was told by Trustee John Schipper the new state law on offering an hour of sick time pay at a rate of one hour per 30 hours a week could be very costly to the township’s budget. He said it could be as expensive as $5,000 a year, noting, “Part-time firefighters are not exempt. They’re allowed to take it (sick pay) and we will have to pay for it.”
- Learned from Fire Chief Kurt Knight that a potential problem surfaced at a recent rental of the township hall when firefighters were summoned to handle a fire, but could not find available parking spaces. Use of the library parking lot across the street could be part pf a solution.
- Awarded the contract for mowing and lawn service to Legacy Mowing after opening two sealed bids.
- Was told by Supervisor Glenn Lee that the annual Trash Day in the township would be May 17 with five dumpsters available.
- Learned that a public hearing on the new master plan may be in the works near the end of May.
