Watson Township officials are preparing a newsletter that will include a survey of local residents on how they feel about the two most important issues that have surfaced recently — recycling and medical marijuana.
Officials hope to have the newsletter arrive at all local households in the township before the planned Saturday, May 6, annual spring cleanup.
Questions about recycling will focus on essentially three options — keeping things the way they are now, going to a $25 per household 
annual fee or having a vote next year on a $36 annual fee per household with no opt-out clause in order to secure curbside recycling.
Watson Township does not now participate in the Allegan County Resource and Recovery program, so all recycling services are available only at one drop-off site, at the township hall. Problems have arisen and worsened with too many people dropping off trash and household refuse at the bins. Officials believe some of the culprits do not live in the township and they have taken steps to have surveillance cameras installed near the site.
Watson now pays for the dropoff site and prospects appear more than likely that the expense will rise even more soon, thus the need to ask about a $25 per household fee annually, which still would allow residents to opt out of the service.
The $36 per household annual fee, with no opt out, would provide for curbside recycling. Residents in eight Allegan County townships last year voted to move to that program to get the curbside recycling.
The medical marijuana question will seek residents’ opinions about the prospects for allowing dispensaries in certain areas for the distribution, growing or processing of medical marijuana for qualified patients only. A bill passed by the State Legislature last fall permits local municipalities to decide on whether dispensaries will be allowed within their borders.
Marijuana dispensaries would provide additional tax revenue for the township.
