Watson Township Trustee Jack Wood resigned his seat Thursday night after serving only two years.
His successor will be fellow Planning Commission member John Caras, who was confirmed unanimously by the other board members. Wood recommended the appointment of Caras, who was present at the Township Board meeting.
The only other person who expressed interest in serving the remainder of Wood’s term was former Supervisor and former Trustee Rod Zeinstra.
Caras will serve at least for the rest of this year and is eligible to seek two more years on the board in the August primary and November general elections.
Wood, a retired Kent County Sheriff’s deputy, was appointed trustee in 2020 after the traffic death of Chuck Andrysiak, a Democrat. He then was elected to his seat in the 2020 primary and general elections as a Republican.
“I’ve got other stuff on my plate and I can give it (public service) my full weight and attention,” Wood explain to his colleagues as the reason for stepping down.
In other business at Thursday’s meeting, the board:
• Declared its intention to place a millage question for curbside recycling on the Aug. 2 primary ballot. Watson is one of the last townships in the county not to have the service, opting instead to have recycling dumpsters at the township hall site.
The proposal will be for a $50 annual fee per household for recycling curbside containers.
• Was told the Planning Commission is working on a master plan and recreation plan and is inviting public input with surveys,
• Agreed to let Supervisor Kevin Travis to negotiate a new lease for agriculture land at the proposed recreation site at 20th Street and M-222. The township wants Alan Hendrickson to change use of the 10-acre site to hay to better prepare the land for recreational use.
• Learned the Hopkins District Library continues to operate without a director.
• Was given a presentation by Ken Post of Dorr Building and Plumbing, who is being hired to build an addition, including EMS temporary living quarters, for the fire station at 1895 118th Ave. The cost will be $113,890.
• Approved a $1200 stipend for Trustee Michelle Harris to serve as rental manager for the township hall. Travis said there have been too many problems with renters who haven’t paid, haven’t cleaned up after themselves and some have even illegally brought alcohol onto the premises.
• Accepted the only bid for lawn care services from M & S Lawn Care for $12,006 to handle the township hall and Hicks and Miner cemeteries.
