The Martin Township Board got some pretty good news about local roads Wednesday night.
The Allegan County Road Commission has listed two priority road projects for 2025 that will have huge impacts on local township residents.
Slated for reconstruction and crack seal and fog coating are 116th Street from the U.S.-131 expressway to the village limits and from the village west to Second Street and from March Road to 122nd Street.
Board members also approved a gravel project for Sixth Street for up to six miles and local paving for 120th Avenue to 8th Street for a township cost of $231,000.
Supervisor Glenn Leep, however, noted specifically the explosion in costs for asphalt, from $27.36 a ton in 2005 to $78.16 per ton this year.
In other business at the meeting Wednesday evening, the Township Board:
• Was told by J.C. Wheeler Library Board member Alice Kelsey that this year’s Festival of the Trees was hugely successful with $900 raised. It also was reported that a record 32 trees were on display during the campaign
- Learned from Capt. Dillon Thomas of Martin Fire & Rescue that the local fire department handled a record 351 incidents in 2024, 145 of them medical.
- Was told by Allegan County Commissioner Gale Dugan that the 123.net rural Internet project now is 40 percent complete. The board approved the Metro Act permit application from Midwest Energy & Communications that grants rural Internet services to customers not likely to get Internet service through customary channels.
- Reviewed and adopted the proposed solar ordinance for the township with an eye toward regulating solar wind farms.
- Learned that Scott Beltman of Monterey Township will serve as chairman the Allegan County Board of Commissioners until a permanent person is elected by the board.
