The Watson Township Board Thursday evening made two appointments to fill vacancies on the Planning Commission.

Former Plan Commission Chairman Troy Baker agreed to come back to serve on the commission for a three-year term. Travis Long was appointed to a one-year term, succeeding Jay Eveland Roberts, whom Supervisor Kevin Travis said is battling a serious medical issue. She had served as the commission’s secretary.

In other business at Thursday evening’s meeting, the Township Board:

• Learned from Hopkins Area Fire Department Assistant Chief Trevor Bailey that Fire Chief Robert Kerber resigned recently and is being succeeded on an interim basis by Eric Alberta. Alberta also serves Hopkins Township as treasurer.
• Was urged by Allegan County Commissioner Gale Dugan to sign a petition to take away state control of ordinances governing solar and wind turbine energy. “We really need to get local control back where it needs to be,” Dugan said, noting that 500,000 signatures are needed to get the issue on the November general election ballot.
• Thanked Mark Simpson for his service as the township’s sexton. Simpson, who will retire soon, is training Cory Irish to succeed him.
• Learned from zoning enforcement administrator Jim Davis that there are 14 open cases he is handling, including one citation for blight and another for burn violation.
• Agreed to set May 11 and Oct. 12, two Saturdays, as the dates for recycling in the township.
• Agreed to hire Professional Code Inspections (PCI) for $750 to update the township’s zoning maps.
• Announced that the next regular meeting of the Township Board will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, immediately after a public hearing on the 2024-25 fiscal year budget.