The Martin Township Board Wednesday night agreed to ask local voters to approve a renewal of 0.75 mill for four years for fire and emergency equipment.
The proposal, which first was engineered four years ago the late Jim Brenner, a former trustee, will appear on the Aug. 2 primary election ballot.
In other business Wednesday, the board:
• Listened to a presentation from Sarah Lynema, who represents Martin Township on the Wayland Area Emergency Services Board.
Lynema said WAEMS will ask Martin for a contribution of $13,857.37 for fiscal year 2022-23, an increase of 6 percent. She explained that the increase is the result of much higher gas prices than a year ago and the rural nature of the area, which means more traveling miles for the units.
She acknowledged that the ambulance service approved pay increases of 6% for staff this year.
• Approved the one and only bid for lawn care services from Property Revolution for $24,000 annually, an increase from the previous year’s $16,000.
• Approved the one and only bid for dust control from Southwest Michigan Dust Control for $15,000 for one application.
• Tabled the one and only bid for security cameras for JC Wheeler Library and the Township Hall.
• Agreed to transfer more than $10,000 from the savings account in the budget to handle the cost of a lawsuit on establishing marijuana facilities. The township won the suit, but still is liable for court costs.
• Approved renewal of the contract for insurance at an annual rate of $18,608, an increase of about $4,000 from a year ago.
• Agreed to have metal lettering installed on the Martin Fire & Rescue sign in front of the Township Hall at a cost of $1500.
