Annual preparations for budget are approaching, and the Martin Township Board Wednesday evening approved several expenditures for bidded services.

The Township Board scheduled a workshop on the 2016-17 fiscal year budget year for 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 25.

The three expenses approved included:

• $1,900 for five dumpsters to be used for the annual spring cleanup day Saturday, May 21. The figure is $100 more than budgeted because the township has customarily used four dumpsters, which lately have been proven to be not enough. CDR had the lowest bid at $380 per dumpster.
• The low bid of $14,000 from CNC Plowing and Landscaping for mowing at the township hall, J.C. Wheeler Library and three cemeteries, including fall cleanup of leaves.
• $12,500 from Southwest Michigan Dust Control for the first application this summer and $10,500 for a second application.

Southwest Michigan was in a bidding war with Michigan Chloride Sales, but it wasn’t clear if the products being used were all that different.

Treasurer Sue Tiemeyer said, “We don’t know enough about the solutions used and their differences. One could be more watered down.”

But Trustee Jack Sipple said, “We’ve been pretty happy with Southwest Michigan the last couple of years.”

In another matter, township officials will check with Allegan County Recycling Coordinator Ben Williams to see if Martin Township is included in the annual household hazardous waste collection in Wayland Saturday, May 7, which includes electronic items.

PHOTO: Martin Township Fire Chief Earl Wykstra shows off the new rescue truck that just arrived earlier this month.