MONTAGUE — The White River Township board had a lengthy discussion regarding an ordinance governing short-term rentals during its regular Tuesday meeting March 11, continuing dialogue that has been in progress for months.
While no final decisions were made - any changes to what was already on paper need to go through the township's legal representation before the board can issue final approval - the board proposed a $600 fee for a three-year license, as well as requiring prospective renters to submit proof of a septic inspection within the last year. The amount of rental licenses was also capped at 55.
Public commenters questioned whether prospective renters would see it as worthwhile to get the license and whether current renters would view the new requirements as too onerous. A final board decision could come next month.
The township board noted the April 17 date for the Lakeside Solar open house at NBC Middle School to distribute information on the solar energy facility it hopes to build in the township. Supervisor Ron Bailey said as he understood it, this open house will be similar to the one the company hosted in December 2022 when it first proposed the facility, though this one will not include an open forum as the first one did. Nevertheless, Bailey recommended all interested parties attend and reiterated the township's position that alternative energy projects should be overseen by local authorities and not ones from elsewhere.
The board unanimously approved a $10,995 expenditure to pay for services from BS&A. The services will be used by both the township clerk and treasurer, and the expenditure will come from the township's budget for legal fees.
Trustee Deb Harris, who was treasurer until late last year, said the township was due for an update in its financial practices; current treasurer Mary Kriesel said all but one area municipality the township contacted uses BS&A. The township currently cannot accept online payments, something it would like to change.
