The Watson Township Board Thursday evening adopted a resolution supporting the Hopkins Area Fire Department’s recommendation for negotiating with the Gun Lake Tribe when it takes land into federal trust.
The Fire Authority unanimously recommended that all local government units that have lost tax revenue when the tribe takes land in trust should be the entity that negotiates any reimbursement. This means Hopkins Township would negotiate in the most recent example, commercial property near the corner of 129th Avenue and 12th Street (see map).
There had been some talk about the fire authority, which takes in Hopkins Village and Township, Monterey Township and Watson Township. Watson Treasurer said she believes the four municipalities could carry more clout in negotiations, but her four colleagues disagreed.
The Hopkins Fire Department gets only $500 for each run for the Gun Lake Tribe, even though its station is closest to the 130-acre property.
Supervisor Kevin Travis said the tribe looks first to the Wayland Fire Department “because they have a sweetheart deal with Wayland and we’re never going to get a good deal.”
The Hopkins Township Board last month voted to send a protest of the taking of the land into trust to the U.S. Department of the Interior. Allegan County also has weighed in on the matter. Both say they oppose losing the tax revenue, but tribal officials have indicated they’d be willing to negotiate an agreement.
In other business at Thursday night’s meeting, the Watson Township Board:
• Approved a new three-year plan with A T & T that will cost about $140 a month for two phones, about $40 less than what the township currently pays.
• Agreed to find out the estimated cost of the Allegan County Road Commission installing a guard rail along 16th Street.
• Approved annual payment of dues, amounting to $1,241,95, for membership in the Michigan Townships Association.
• Approved renewal of a contract with Consumers Energy for installation of four 100-watt high pressure sodium light bulbs.
• Renewed a contract with R. Smith for local gravel applications at a rate of $10.71 per cubic yard.
• Approved wording for the four-year renewal of two mill for roads on the Aug. 7 primary election ballot. The levy will raise an estimated $127,323.90 in the first of four years.
The Hopkins Public schools are the biggest losers when land is taken in to trust . The officials in Hopkins township cannot be trusted to look out for the other tax supported entities in the township as proven by the 200,000$ they have received from the tribe. They cannot say how it was spent or even if it was spent. For sure it hasn’t’ been shared with Hopkins Public Schools. Every entity that levies a tax in Hopkins Township should be part of any negotiation. The Village, The library, The Public Schools and fire department should all be part of any agreement. Hopkins Township officials want all the funds for the Township. They won’t share as proven by the 200,000$ all ready received.