Winter at Old Mission State Park on the Old Mission Peninsula | Jane Boursaw Photo
Old Mission State Park on the Old Mission Peninsula | Jane Boursaw Photo
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(Editor’s Note: Peninsula Township Supervisor Maura Sanders reports in with updates about the Budget and Finance Committee, Agricultural Advisory Committee, farmland preservation, and an upcoming meeting on the Fire Station #1 replacement. Big thanks to Maura for these weekly updates that keep us tuned into what’s happening at the Township offices. Read on for this week’s note. -jb)

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January 24, 2025

Who’s hitting the slopes and trails this weekend?!!!

Although it was a short work week at the Township, it was productive.

We’ve recently formed the Ad Hoc Budget and Finance Committee and held our kick-off meeting this week. The purpose of the committee is two-fold. First, to take a good look at our budget to identify any possible inefficiencies, and to see how we compare to other similar Townships.

Second, to begin a process to identify any projected Capital Improvements, and also explore the types of funding structures needed to cover those costs. The committee is headed by Trustee J. P. Milliken, assisted by fellow residents Tom Barnhart and Fred Swaffer.

The Agricultural Advisory Committee met on Tuesday. They had a really good discussion about the Sign Ordinance with respect to agriculture, with solid research from neighboring municipalities. They discussed the prioritization of strategy and topics. They set their meeting schedule for the year and selected committee member terms, staggered between two and three years. The draft minutes will be available soon here.

The Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Selection Committee also met on Tuesday. The draft minutes discussing last week’s applicant site visits and the time table for the next round of applications will be posted soon here.

Updates from Down the Hall

Assessor’s Office: I was able to spend some time with our Township Assessor, Sally Murray, to better understand the agricultural tax incentives. Specifically, we talked about PA 116 regarding information and resources for the Farmland and Open Space Preservation Program, including the Agricultural Preservation Fund Board, agricultural conservation easements, and farmland development rights agreements.

Looking Ahead to Next Week

Tuesday, Jan. 28, 3 p.m., Township Hall. This joint meeting of the Township Board and Parks Committee will include interviews for vacancies on the Parks Committee. View the agenda and packet here.

Tuesday, Jan. 28, 7 p.m., Township Hall. The second Regular Township Board meeting of the month will include a presentation by Fire Chief Fred Gilstorff on the Fire Station #1 replacement. View the agenda and packet here.

Wednesday, Jan. 29, 7 p.m., Township Hall. This special meeting of the Township Board will include two additional Land Division Appeals. View the agenda and packet here.

Have a great Winter Wonderland Weekend, Everyone!

Maura Sanders
Peninsula Township Supervisor
Phone: (231) 223-7323
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours: Mondays 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesdays – Thursdays 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Friday – Sunday and Holidays. If TCAPS is closed due to weather, Peninsula Township offices are closed at least until 10 a.m. Please check the website homepage for any updates.

Also Read…

SUPPORT YOUR INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWSPAPER: I started Old Mission Gazette in 2015 because I felt a calling to provide the Old Mission Peninsula community with local news. After decades of writing for newspapers and magazines like the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Family Circle and Ladies' Home Journal, I really just wanted to write about my own community where I grew up on a cherry farm and raised my own family. So I started my own newspaper.

Because Old Mission Gazette is a "Reader Supported Newspaper" -- meaning it exists because of your financial support -- I hope you'll consider tossing a few bucks our way if I mention your event, your business, your organization or your news item, or if you simply love reading about what's happening on the OMP. In a time when local news is becoming a thing of the past, supporting an independent community newspaper is more important now than ever. Thank you so much for your support! -Jane Boursaw, Editor/Publisher, Old Mission Gazette

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