At Tuesday's Montague Township board meeting, there was an updated announcement on the recently approved renewable energy district. Following planning commission approval in February, the updated ordinance was passed to Muskegon County before being sent back to the board, and Tuesday it was officially approved. Foster Swift was hired to write the three ordinances required for this project, which are similar to the ordinances passed by White River Township last fall.
It was stated that these ordinances were written and passed with the board bearing in mind the township master plan, which includes continuing support of local agriculture. These ordinances are aimed at allowing the township control over potential future projects. The renewable energy district covers approximately 580 acres of land.
There was continued discussion about a proposed adult soccer recreational league, as a representative of the league spoke, addressing questions such as how many players are anticipated, how many fields would be needed and when they would be used. The representative said there are not hard numbers yet, depending on interest from the community. The hope is four teams per age group and about 150 total participants, which would require two fields for two nights per week, for which the league is willing to pay the township. The season would be expected to run most of summer, June through August - generally a time when the fields are not being used as much. The league is flexible and willing to work with the township on the schedule.
Board trustee Jake Seaver is already a member of a similar Oceana County league, which brings some comfort to board members.
The board, along with the head caretaker of the township, did express concerns about the fields not getting enough “rest” during what they consider to be the “off season.” Proper rest of the field ensures appropriate maintenance. The league does not include any practice time or space, seeing as most adults would not have the time for that.
Additionally, township supervisor Jeff King voiced concerns over the league maintaining responsibility over organizing equipment, such as goals and anchors. He said if anchors are left in the ground and the caretaker mows over them, it can result in serious damage to the blades of the mower. King stressed the importance of removing the goal anchors after each game. The representative said they would obtain their own goals that the township would not need to provide.
The board requested an official presentation at the next meeting April 8 before considering the proposal.
The township recently discovered that its 2022 senior millage allocation of $9,500 was never spent. Usually, municipalities don’t receive the funds and millages they are approved for until the end of that year, which King said can result in funds being forgotten about or “lost in the mix” of other important payments. The board didn’t make an official decision on what to do with those funds, but the idea of giving it to the senior center was discussed.
A recent expense of the township was the replacement of light fixtures in the town hall. This included the main meeting space, the halls, the main office, bathrooms and the basement. Board members commented on the noticeable improvement this has made. Another expense the board approved was the replacement of fire extinguishers and smoke detectors in the town hall.
The township board also approved doubling the wages for members of the board of review, from $10 an hour to $20. King favored this because he feels it’s a deserved expense, citing how much the board of review does for the township and that members only get paid once per calendar year.
The township caretaker requested a new “thatcher” replacement for the mower. This will cost approximately $1,000 and is important to the quality of maintenance of public land in the township. He also shared his frustration with the high amount of snowmobile action on the fields. Although there are signs stating that snowmobilers should refrain from riding in those areas, they have been disregarded. The use of snowmobiles on these fields results in serious damage, which requires more maintenance, time and repair once the grounds thaw in the spring. He plans to relocate the signs, hoping that will help.
King announced that Muskegon County recently contacted the township about potentially brining certain township roads this summer. Some board members felt many roads do not require brining. King, who lives on one of the roads that has been brined in the past, said he believes it's a wasted expense that doesn't do enough good to counter the inconvenience it causes residents who live on the roads. A road that would be prioritized for brining if it's done this year is Water Road leading to Country Dairy, which receives the most “action” during the summer. No official decisions were made on this matter.
