The Watson Township Board Thursday evening renewed contracts for insurance, Michigan Township Association dues and decided to add planning services from a Grand Rapids firm.
The board reluctantly agreed to renew its annual insurance contract through Burnham & Flower for $18,025, an increase of about $5,000 over last year, prompting Trustee John Caras to comment, “It seems like an excessive raise from one year to the next.”
However, it was noted that aren’t many options for the service and sometimes it pays for itself.
Supervisor Kevin Travis said ordinance enforcement administrator Jim Davis has been “flying without a parachute” for the past year and the township should provide him with protection.
The renewal of MTA dues also was a bit expensive at $3,589.61.
The board agreed to spend $6,000 on McKenna of Grand Rapids for planning and zoning professional services. The township hasn’t had a planner since Mark Sisson, who is no longer available.
Trustee Michelle Harris, a former longtime member of the Township Planning Commission, said, “There is value in having a professional outside person” in the planning process.
In other business Thursday night, the board:
• Was told by Trevor Beilby of the Hopkins Fire Department and Ambulance Board that Wayland Area Emergency Services continues to be very busy, but is better able to handle calls with the recent addition of four new ambulances. Furthermore, he said WAEMS now has four bedrooms in its facility to better handle EMTs and paramedics who are staying overnight.
- Fielded a question from Alice Kelsey of the JC Wheeler Library in Martin about the township making its annual $1,000 contribution. Clerk Kelli Morris asked Kelsey to send the bill directly to her via e-mail.
- Learned from Davis that the township currently has 10 open zoning enforcement cases, one very public, but five others have been closed.
- Received a port from Sexton Mark Simpson, who is stepping down the end of this month and turning the job over to Cory Irish.
