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Editor’s Note: Peninsula Township Supervisor Maura Sanders updates us on happenings at the Township offices, including Township Board/WOMP discussions, a new assistant at Mission Point Lighthouse, the new Fire Station 1 and more. Big thanks to Maura for these weekly updates. Read on for this week’s note. -jb
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January 29, 2026
Good news for the township this week! The Verizon lease on the cell tower adjacent to Fire Station #1 was renewed for another 20 years. We are in the process of negotiating the AT&T lease agreement and will keep you updated on the progress.
The Township Board (TB) held its second regular meeting this week. The 250-page packet can be found here. Meeting schedules can be found here. The Peninsula Township Road Ends Ordinance No. 61 was passed, pg. 163. The TB held a public hearing for SUP No. 144, p. 174, for Peninsula Township Fire Station No. 1. The public hearing was closed and the board moved to pass SUP No. 144.
Prior to entering closed session, the TB and public were made aware of a statement that Wineries of the Old Mission Peninsula (WOMP) released minutes before the meeting. The township provided a response with the intention of continuing transparent settlement negotiations to produce the durable, responsible, community-driven outcome that the wineries also seek. The Michigan Zoning Enabling Act requires municipalities to provide the public with the opportunity to weigh in on the development and use of land, adoption of a zoning ordinance, zoning amendments, and special uses (examples above).
Closed session is used for anything that could harm the township (residents, landowners, business owners, etc.) if it were discussed publicly. This includes damaging our position on any legal challenges to the township. It is not something we take lightly as fiduciaries of the public. The public has the right to make public comment and participate in public hearings that will influence the actions of the TB when any changes to our land uses, zoning ordinance, and special uses are contemplated.
The TB then entered closed session to discuss litigation and settlement strategy for McFall v Peninsula Township; review a confidential written opinion regarding WOMP v Peninsula Township and Protect the Peninsula (PTP); and discuss the purchase of real property (as an alternative location for Fire Station #1, pg. 208 of the packet).
The TB moved to appoint me to draft an offer to purchase land as an alternate site for Fire Station #1 (Mapleton Farms LLC property across M-37 from the Bad Dog Deli). That offer has been sent to the landowner and we are awaiting a positive response.
Regarding the new Bonobo lawsuit filed against the township, the TB learned this week from our insurance carrier-provided legal counsel at Straub, Seaman & Allen that on January 21, 2026, just a day after the township’s Rule 12 Motion to Dismiss was filed, the federal court issued an order that requires the plaintiffs (OV the Farm, LLC, et al = Bonobo Winery, Bowers Harbor Vineyard, and WOMP) to do one of the following:
a) File an amended complaint to cure the allegedly inadequate complaint by February 10, 2026; or
b) File a response to the defendant’s Rule 12 Motion to Dismiss by February 17, 2026.
Mision Point Lighthouse has hired a new lighthouse assistant. Thank you to all that applied. We are excited to welcome township resident Jennifer Venegoni to the team!
Updates from Down the Hall
The preliminary 2026/2027 budget process will start next week. We were able to consolidate some services over this last year, and we will continue to improve our processes to trim the fat.
Looking Ahead to Next Week – and Beyond
Peninsula Community Library and the Peninsula Township Fire Department have rescheduled the Stop the Bleed Training. It will take place on February 6 and February 19 at 2 p.m.
Did you know that our library hosts Gentle Yoga classes? I didn’t either! Check it out.
Old Mission Peninsula School: Open Enrollment Period for the 2026/27 school year begins on February 2, 2026, and closes on February 27, 2026. If a lottery is needed for any given grade, the lottery will occur in early March 2026. Please note that applications for new students continue to be accepted after the February 27, 2026 period, and these students are either accepted into a class that has available space or wait listed in the order of receipt if a class is full.
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 warm and safe weekend.
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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