Martin Township plans to expand East Martin Cemetery on the west side of 8th Street by purchasing up to six acres of land.

The Township Board Wednesday night took initial steps to buy the parcel for $9,000 per acre from Hopkins Ag Center LLC because the current cemetery is just about full.

The board agreed to have the parcel surveyed before proceeding with the deal.

In other business at Wednesday’s meeting, the board:

• Decided to buy Help Net counseling services on a one-year trial basis beginning July 1 for a minimum of $1,000. Fire Chief Earl Wykstra recommended the move to benefit members of the department to handle the aftermath of stressful critical incidents when necessary. Help Net, with offices in Battle Creek and Kalamazoo, also provides services for financial and legal issues for employees.

• Announced there will be no board meeting Wednesday, Feb. 13, because Clerk Rachelle Smit, Treasurer Sue Tiemeyer and Supervisor Glenn Leep will be unable to attend.

• Was told the JC Wheeler Library plans to have an observance of its 100th anniversary Saturday, Feb. 9, during regular hours. Alice Kesley, a member of the Library Board, said names of all librarians are being sought, but told officials the very first was Miss Jessie Campbell, hired in 1919.

• Was told by Leep that the Allegan County Road Commission intends to concentrate on “pulling shoulders and trimming brush” for township roads this year.