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(Editor’s Note: Peninsula Township Supervisor Maura Sanders reports in with updates on the Bluff Road closure, survey postcards, and some alien-like lasers on the OMP. 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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September 25, 2025
WOMP vs Peninsula Township Update: Filings in the winery lawsuit can be found here. They are also available on Pacer here (a website that keeps all public records current on all federal litigation). Once you register on Pacer, you can find the case by going to the Michigan Western District Court under case number 1:20-cv-01008.
Bluff Road Update: I had a chance to meet with our regional DTE representatives and Andy Smits, County Drain Commissioner, at the Bluff Road closure on Wednesday. There is a DTE natural gas line underground easement that runs on the interior side of Bluff Road. This had not been taken into consideration by the Road Commission previously. The easement requires the ability to service that line. The discussion revolved around how to proceed (road repair, limited road repair, or potential reroute of the line) with recommendations from DTE and citizen input via the township survey on the road closure. DTE will put a report together after coordinating internally.
Township Strategic Plan Update: The Township Board held a regular monthly meeting on Wednesday afternoon. We went through the strategic plan (page 24) that was created in January 2025. Everything is progressing and tracking except for: Parks Funding Plan and Headlee Rollback on the Ballot. The Township Board chose to delay allocating resources to the Headlee Rollback until the WOMP lawsuit is fully resolved.
However, the Township Board directed the Parks Committee to compile language from the latest Parks Plan, along with any additional key needs, to draft potential ballot wording for a future Parks Millage. I encourage anyone who has questions about this to attend the next Parks Committee meeting on October 20, 3 p.m. in the Township Hall.
The Hemlock Wing at Pelizzari Natural Area: The Township Board voted unanimously to award two contracts for the elevated boardwalk in the Hemlock Wing at Pelizzari Natural Area. AJ’s Excavating has been awarded the Hemlock Boardwalk – Trail and Loop development contract. Wickcraft Manufacturing Company has been awarded the Hemlock Loop Boardwalk Trail Connector: Manufacture and Delivery contract. Thank you to the generous donors that made the matching grant possible for this sustainable project!
Updates From Down the Hall
The Treasurer’s Office: The end of the summer tax season was extremely busy, and we appreciated everyone’s patience while they stood in line, waited for receipts in the mail or checks to clear. We still have about 250 unpaid parcels. Past due bills will be sent October 1st with updated amounts. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your taxes, please don’t hesitate to contact our office, (231) 223-4484. Thank you!
The Planning Office/2025 Peninsula Township Survey: The postcards with online directions are in the mail. We look forward to the results to help shape our entire community. We encourage you to review these background materials, which offer valuable insights into the key issues facing the township. If you prefer to take the survey on paper, please bring your postcard to the Township offices and we will print a copy for you to fill out. We will send it back to EPIC-MRA when it’s returned. The survey will close October 10th.
Peninsula Township Fire Department: The Annual Fire Department Open House will take place on Saturday, October 4th, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., at the Main Station at 14247 Center Road in Mapleton. The event will include a tour of the station and equipment, car seat safety inspections, on-site “Stop the Bleed” training, free food and drinks, fire safety activities and merch, a bounce house and more. You’ll also be able to check out the new Fire Safety House, which recently made an appearance at Old Mission Peninsula School.
Also, Chief Fred Gilstorff reports that the Fire Department was recently awarded $10,000 through FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighter Grant for a fire hose. The grant will allow the department to purchase thirty-four 50-foot sections of new hose that will replace some older hose in order to maintain operational efficiency. The department is very grateful for this award from FEMA.
Looking Ahead to Next Week – and Beyond:
Peninsula Community Library has a packed schedule over the next several days. Please check out all of their events here. Be sure and mark your calendar for the Friends of PCL’s Oktoberfest on Sunday, October 5th from 2 – 5 p.m. This family-friendly, alcohol-free event includes food, music, trivia, dancing, a silent auction, costume contest and more! Tickets are $15 per person and may be purchased in advance at the library. All proceeds benefit PCL!
Old Mission Peninsula School: A reminder that Michigan’s 2025 fall count day is Wednesday, October 1, 2025, while the spring count day is Wednesday, February 11, 2026. These count days are critical for determining school funding, as student attendance on these specific dates directly affects how much money districts receive from the state.
Green Lasers. We have had a couple calls over the last week about strange lasers in the evening near Chateau Chantal. I made a few calls and learned — thank you, Marie-Chantal Dalese — that these are dawn and dusk bird deterrent lasers among the vines. Learn more about this interesting technology here. It is silent, stays within the property lines, and doesn’t cost nearly as much as the netting over the grapes. Apparently, there are two more on the Peninsula, but this one is the most visible from Center Road.
Public Safety Alert from the Grand Traverse County Road Commission: Several stop signs have been run over and knocked down, including three in southwest Grand Traverse County and seven in northwest Wexford County. This is a serious safety risk. If you see suspicious activity (someone striking or removing traffic signs), do not approach. Note the vehicle description, license plate number, time and location, and call 911 immediately. If you spot a downed stop sign, call 911 right away so the Road Commission can place a temporary stop sign until repairs are made. Your quick report can prevent accidents and keep our roads safe. Please share.
Please keep an eye on all upcoming meetings via the Township website and our live streamed meetings (saved for 30 days) on our YouTube Channel.
Have a wonderful final September 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.
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