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(Editor’s Note: Peninsula Township Supervisor Maura Sanders reports in with updates about the Compactor and Recycling Center, Parks Committee news, goats coming to our parks and more. 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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March 28, 2025
I have seen a few pictures of the show-offs (spring flowers) closer to the south end of the OMP. Up here in the north country, we are making a break for spring, too!! PSA: If you haven’t checked the forecast for this weekend yet, please do, and keep an eye on it. (See note from Consumers Energy at the end of this story. -jb)
The Town Board held a special meeting this week, which included the second public hearing for the fire department and police millage fund rate. The Board adopted, via appropriate resolutions, the FY (Fiscal Year) 25/26 fire department fund rate (2.6 mils), FY 25/26 police department fund rate (decreased to .23 mils), FY 25/26 general fund and special fund budgets, and the FY 25/26 calendar. (Editor’s Note: For more details, see the meeting packet here. -jb)
The Board also adopted, by recommendation from the Planning Commission and via Resolution 2025-03-26 #1, the Schedule of Civil Fines for Unlawful Operation of Short-Term Rentals (see page 52 of the meeting packet). To help educate the public, a letter with a copy of the Resolution was sent to Aspire North Realtors. The Michigan Supreme Court has reaffirmed the legality of permissive zoning ordinances (Peninsula Township’s Ordinance). We thank everyone in advance for compliance.
Spring can’t come soon enough for the Parks Committee. They met this week and discussed recent purchases for the parks — everything from fencing for the goats that will be grazing on our abundant invasive species this summer at Bowers Harbor Natural Area to wildflower seeds for Pelizzari Natural Area. See the March 26 Parks Committee meeting packet here for more details on these exciting projects. (Big thanks to Parks Committee member Michele Zebell for spearheading the goats project. Can’t wait to get photos for the Gazette! -jb)
Parks Committee members gave specific updates on Pelizzari Natural Area, Old Mission State Park, and Bowers Harbor Natural Area, as well as parking lot renovation plans at Bowers Harbor Park. This much-needed refresh will take place this spring as soon as the frost laws are lifted. (Click here for more info on the Parks Committee hike through Old Mission State Park last weekend. -jb)
In fact, both the main parking lot at Bowers Harbor Park and the parking lot for Bowers Harbor Natural Area on Devils Dive Road will be treated to a makeover by Elmer’s, with new gravel coming in where needed, along with excavating, additional parking spots, and new concrete parking bumpers at the main recreational park.
The Parks Committee also discussed its capital improvement plan and voted on new officers for the next fiscal year: Dave Murphy, chair; Michele Zebell, vice chair; and Torey Caviston, secretary.
Updates from Down the Hall
Zoning: The job posting for a full time zoning administrator has closed. We have received seven applications, which are currently being reviewed. We look forward to scheduling preliminary interviews.
Mission Point Lighthouse: The Lighthouse opens for the season on May 1, 2025. The Keeper Program is up and running, and we are looking forward to an amazing season!!
Treasurer: The Treasurer’s office has been working towards getting the FY 24/25 wrapped up. The new FY budgets have been approved, and next up will be the audit.
Looking Ahead to Next Week
Peninsula Township Offices will be open next week, even though the clerk, deputy clerk, treasurer, deputy treasurer and I will be attending the Michigan Townships Association annual conference. We are looking forward to some great classes and some great idea exchanges with our colleagues from around the state.
On the Horizon
Regarding changes to the East Bay Boat Launch, applications have not yet been received from the DNR for any changes along East Shore Road by the Grand Traverse County Road Commission, or for a Special Use Permit by Peninsula Township. The Township is engaged and tracking.
The moment many residents have been waiting for … The Township is planning to pave the Compactor and Recycling Center driveway loop at 2751 Devils Dive Road!! I’ll post more details as we get this project moving forward.
***Shoreline Regulation Education Session*** This session is scheduled for April 24, 2025, 7 p.m., at St. Joseph Catholic Church. The Township will host members from the Army Corps of Engineers; Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE); the Grand Traverse Bay Watershed Center; and Dr. Richard Norton, Ph.D, J.D, from University of Michigan’s Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning.
Have a great weekend, Everyone! Please keep an eye on the weather and stay safe.
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.
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Note from Doug DeYoung, Executive Director, Community Engagement, Consumers Energy:
Keeping the lights on is job #1 for Consumers Energy — and that’s why when they know Mother Nature is going to strike, they prepare in advance to restore power as quickly and as safely as possible.
In anticipation of the potential inclement weather this weekend, Consumers Energy has more than 600 crews, including contract crews from four other states, prepared to deploy if there are significant outages in our area. This work also includes staging command centers and equipment across the region, and communicating in advance with local officials, emergency management crews, and even non-profits that can provide assistance for customers who potentially experience an extended outage. .
More information on how to prepare your home or business for severe storms of every kind can be found here. -jb
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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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