Kay Reynolds

Key discussions during the meeting included public comments regarding Van Buren County Commissioner updates, such as a hiring freeze and restructuring of part-time positions. The board set the 2021 meeting schedule for the Township Board, Planning Commission, and Zoning Board. Regarding the Best Way Disposal Lease agreement for the Transfer Station, which includes Almena and Porter Township, the board authorized the Supervisor to sign the agreement similar to the previous year, pending any future amendments. Additionally, the board awarded a bid to Aleksich Excavating for the clean up of the property located at 29697 64th Ave. Reports covered general fund balance, building activity permits issued in Antwerp and Almena, and updates from various fire departments and library branches. The board approved payment for bills totaling $111,712.40.

The meeting included an introduction by the new Michigan State Police Post Commander and a report from the Van Buren County Sheriff's Department regarding calls for service. The County Commissioner provided updates on ARPA fund dispersal and the formation of a Palisades Nuclear committee. Discussion occurred regarding the Village of Mattawan conducting studies on the Hayden Creek water facility and a resident's concern about cemetery tree removal. Key actions included accepting the Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance renewal with a 1.2% premium increase, committing an additional $462,000 for the trailway project, and tabling the Aunalytics IT proposal pending further review of other IT proposals. New business involved tabling a Resolution concerning Mattawan Fire & Quick Response until the next meeting. The Board authorized W. Soule to repair a broken sprinkler system backflow device for $592.00. The Board moved forward with the demolition of the property at 61023 C.R. 657 and decided to file a lien for the demolition cost due to the property being in foreclosure. Due to a spike in COVID-19 cases, it was decided that Senior lunches would revert to drive-through service starting September 1, 2021. The Board declined a request from Adam's Funeral Home to reimburse a portion of a grave opening/closing fee related to a collapsed grave site. Reports covered fund balances, building activity permits, and departmental updates, including a request from the Mattawan Fire Department for ARPA funds and the donation of a truck from Mattawan Quick Response to the Fire Department.

Key discussions during the meeting included action on a Planning Commission recommendation to rezone property from Light Industrial (LI) to Agricultural and Open Space Residential (AG). In new business, the Board considered and approved authorizing the Clerk to sign a letter of support for a grant application by Kinexus and Southwest Michigan Planning Commission concerning the Palisades Plant Closure. Reports were provided covering county updates, blight issues, treasury balances, building activity permits, library program attendance, and township department activities, including updates on fire department maintenance and zoning board variance approvals. The Board also approved a list of bills for payment.

The board meeting addressed several key items, including the acceptance of the agenda with an additional item concerning the Cemetery Sexton contract. Public comment featured information regarding the Paw Paw District Library's upcoming anniversary. Key actions included the approval of a special land use and site plan for a home-based catering business as recommended by the Planning Commission. Under New Business, the board set a workshop date for the Mattawan Fire and EMS ordinance. They also approved text amendments to the Antwerp Township Zoning Ordinance regarding Variance Standards. The board discussed a blight cleanup request on 49th Ave and approved a resolution to establish salaries for the Township Clerk, Supervisor, Treasurer, and Trustees, effective July 1, 2021. Updates were provided regarding the reopening of Township offices starting June 1, 2021, under a rotating employee schedule. Reports included updates on the general fund balance, building activity permits for Antwerp and Almena townships, and brief reports from the Fire Departments and Libraries. The meeting concluded with the approval of bills for payment totaling $382,787.62.

The board meeting included presentations from county officials, such as the Road Commissioner discussing a new managing director and upcoming road projects, and the County Commissioner reporting on the yearly audit and growth. The Register of Deeds provided an overview of their function, including recording real estate documents. Key new business items involved a decision on the Antwerp Township/Almena Township Fire agreement, authorizing Wightman and Associates for preliminary engineering related to the Long Grove Subdivision water issue, and accepting a quote for Wightman to facilitate a ten-year road project plan pending a millage passage. The board accepted the audit report for the year ended June 30, 2019, and voted to participate in the Indiana Michigan Power LED street light upgrade program. Financial reports indicated $181,979.13 in the general fund, and the board approved payment for bills related to various township services.