MONTAGUE — The White River Township board elected to opt out of brining its roads for the third straight year Tuesday, April 9 at its monthly meeting. The road brining would have cost the township $7,345.75 in a 50/50 split with the county.
The board voted 4-1 to opt out, with supervisor Ron Bailey the dissenting vote. During discussion, the board noted that in previous years, the brining resulted in an increased salt content in local waters. Additionally, the board seemed to believe past years’ brining had not made a significant difference in the quality of roads. Road brining brings underground moisture to the surface and is intended to limit the amount of dust kicked up by driving.
Also Tuesday, the township unanimously renewed its online subscription to services provided by the Michigan Township Association, which cost $1,000 for the year. The services include 35 webinars that keep board members up to speed with planning, zoning and other relevant topics.
The board had “no real update” on the planned Hancock Road repairs, for which it committed $106,000 at its March meeting. Bailey said the ball is currently in the county’s court to determine what repairs it wants done and what the township is permitted to do, using the example of where a walkway could be placed.
While there is no change in the cost to the township, the board noted it would now be splitting its share of Sports n’ Shorts costs with the city of Montague instead of Montague Township after the latter elected not to participate in the program this year. The White Lake Area Community Education summer program offers activities to schoolchildren ages 5 to 12 Mondays through Thursdays from July 8 to Aug. 8.
The board said it had received an update about the Lakeside Solar court case at a special meeting April 1. As the update took place in a closed session, there was no further discussion on the matter. As of now, the case is still slated to be heard in July.
Trustee Laura Anderson reported the White Lake Ambulance Authority had approved a $1 per hour wage increase for part-time personnel for the next six months, after which the raise will be reviewed. The raise did not require a budget amendment, as the existing budget allowed for the raise.
White River Township’s free dump day of May 1 was discussed, and clerk Debbi Sargent encouraged township residents who do not need to utilize their $25 coupon to sign up for it anyway and allow a fellow resident who may have more to bring to the dump site to use it instead.
