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Editor’s Note: Peninsula Township Supervisor Maura Sanders reports in with an update on the settlement offer proposed by the Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula (WOMP) this week. 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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October 31, 2025 🎃
Happy Halloween! Hopefully, you get some treats and don’t get tricked!
WOMP vs Peninsula Township Update
Filings in the winery lawsuit can be found here. They are also available on Pacer (a website that keeps all public records current on all federal litigation) here. 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.
Yesterday at 8:35 a.m., I received an email from MLive requesting comment on a WOMP proposed consent judgement settlement offer, as they had received a press release. Our legal counsel received the 14-page proposed settlement offer at 2 p.m., and shortly after, I took a call from Chris Baldyga, owner of 2 Lads Winery and president of WOMP, to ensure that it was received. (Read more about WOMP’s settlement offer here. -jb)
The Township is requesting transparency regarding all settlement discussions. A letter sent to WOMP attorney Joe Infante details the Township’s position regarding fairness and transparency that is owed to all of our residents, farmers and property owners. (Read the full letter here. -jb)
The Township Board, bound by the Michigan Open Meetings Act, will hold a Special Meeting on Thursday, November 6th, at 3 p.m.
(Editor’s Note: I requested a copy of the Consent Judgment Settlement Offer from WOMP today, and received this response from Chris Baldyga: “The settlement offer is confidential and only sent to the Twp’s attorneys. They can only share and discuss it directly with their clients as well. Given there is still pending litigation with the lawsuit and content of the settlement — the details and scope of the proposal cannot be shared as it may influence the coming appellate process. By it remaining confidential, the goal is that both parties can honestly and openly discuss the matter with each other and not fear that any of these discussions or exchanged information may be used against them later or leaked to the public to damage either party. I can tell you that when/if the proposal is accepted by the Twp that it will all be available to the public. I’m hopeful that we have a productive outcome here and get back to building positive momentum for OMP agriculture!” – Chris Baldyga via text to Jane Boursaw)
Updates From Down the Hall
Zoning Department: The Township has hired the planning/zoning/assessing administrative assistant. Jenna Beattie will start on November 12th. The 2025/2026 amended budget reflects this change, and it is an overall cost savings versus three independent positions in those offices. Jenna will be coming onboard at the same time as we implement the EPIC GT permit software (click the link for a test drive) for township land use permits. The county came to the office this week to discuss the timeline and implementation. This software will allow the applicant to apply, submit required information AND tie the application automatically to the appropriate outside agencies (health department, building department) required for certain permits.
Peninsula Township Fire Department: Crews attended fire drills at the school and multiple Halloween events, in addition to conducting fire prevention events. Chief Gilstorff is preparing for the meeting with the Planning Commission on November 4th, 2025. Our new fire engine is almost complete and should be received in late November to early December. Additionally, Chief Gilstorff finished all fire safety inspections of businesses for 2025, with corrections made for all violations.
Looking Ahead to Next Week – and Beyond
The Planning Commission meets on Tuesday November 4, 2025 at 7 PM. View the agenda here and the packet here). On the agenda:
- Seven Hills Special Use Permit 35, Amendment 4 Continued Discussion
- Peninsula Township Fire Station – Fire Station #1 Special Use Permit 144 Introduction
- Zoning Ordinance Rewrite Discussion on the 40-acre minimum for all processing facilities (recommended by the Agricultural Advisory Committee) and Special Use Permit definitions and approval process
Peninsula Community Library is always busy with fun community-based activities! They have a packed event schedule this coming week, including:
- Threads, Nov. 3, 2025, 10 a.m. Threads meets every Monday from 10 to noon. Bring a project, work among friends!
- DIY Table Runner, Nov. 4, 2 p.m. Craft a lovely ribbon runner for your Thanksgiving table. Materials provided. RSVP, (231) 223-7700.
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 SPOOKY and festive 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…
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I am surprised at your quick negative response to the WOMP proposal to negotiate a potential settlement. Needless to say it surprised me that as your attorney stated “The Township does not intend to apply FOIA to any settlement proposals. Only the Township can exercise its rights under FOIA. The Township does not believe that the Plaintiffs’ settlement demand and proposed consent, or any settlement offer that we may produce in response, should be withheld from the public pursuant to FOIA.”
This certainly would create complicating factors to negotiations. The same reasoning for confidentiality has been put forth by the township in every occasion where you went in to so called executive session to discuss the lawsuit and withheld those discussions from the public. So does this mean that any further discussions with regard to the lawsuit will no longer be held under the so called protection of the FOIA act like herein and we will now be able to be involved in discussions on township strategy etc with regard to the lawsuit. I assume you had a closed session meeting to propose a response to the settlement offer, or did you do this unilaterally. If you did have discussions I assume under your new principles with regard to the FOIA, the public can have access to those discussions. In that spirit would you kindly provide the public via the Gazette with notes or minutes of those discussions. It only seems fair that we know which members of the Board, if any agreed, with the sentiment expressed in your lawyer’s letter.