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Leighton Fire Chief Matt Weston presenting a recognition award to Joel Van Sockma of GVL Excavating
Leighton Township Fire Chief Matt Weston presented a special recognition award to GVL Excavating at Thursday night’s regular meeting of the Township Board.
Weston explained that when battling a structure fire, often times firefighters need an excavator to help put the fire completely out. They have been helped on a number of occasions by owner Gordon VanLaan and GVL Excavations.
Chris VanRyn and Joel VanSockma were on hand representing GVL, to accept the public recognition. VanSockma said that GVL was, “Glad to be able to help the community out.”
During the public comment part of the meeting, VanRyn told the board about poor road conditions he found while driving on 4th street. That comment opened the floodgates, as everyone in attendance had a bad road story to tell.
Weston shared with TownBroadcast that while responding to calls for help, from Green Lake to Hunters Glen, he found slushy, sloppy road conditions. The chief said he has been taking a tow strap and shovel with him, should an ambulance need help getting in or out in a medical call.
Sloppy road conditions have been caused by snow being packed down during the week of single digit temperatures. Now that the sun has come out, and the temperatures have risen to the 20s, that snowpack has started to melt.
Residents have been encouraged to e-mail the Allegan County Road Commission should they know of a road that needs to be plowed. The county plows have been clearing those roads within a day or two of being notified.
In other news from the meeting:
- The township board has reappointed Jonathan Roodvoets to the Zoning Board of Appeals. They also reappointed Ben Potts, Matt VanderEide, John Hooker, Matthew VanDuyen, and Bradley Geers to the Planning Commission. All appointments are for a three- year term.
- The board approved a 3% cost-of-living increase for township employees. They also approved salaries of the board members. The supervisor now will be earning $29,742 a year, the clerk will be at $45,351, the treasurer at $42,414, and the trustees at $5,473 a year.
- The township board will have a budget workshop at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11., to review the fee schedule for the township. There will also be a Truth in Taxation hearing at 6:30 p.m. March 12, prior to the regular board meeting.
