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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 draft Ag Ordinance, a public hearing on the new Fire Station and more. Big thanks to Maura for these weekly updates. Read on for this week’s note. -jb
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January 24, 2026
Apologies to anyone trying to send or waiting to receive email from the township offices on Jan. 22. There was a Microsoft outage across many regions of North America. We will be up and running Monday morning!
The Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC) met on January 20th. Their small producer subcommittee presented a broad draft agricultural ordinance for the AAC to discuss. The AAC plans to move forward with committee work specific to: sale of products, farm markets, incidental (to agriculture) farm engagement activities and on-farm processing. Follow along on the Township’s YouTube Channel.
WOMP Update. On January 14th, 2026, a three trustee subcommittee of the Township Board (TB) met with four winery owners from WOMP to discuss the issues between the parties and the potential for settlement. The TB then entered into closed session on January 20th to review discussion topics from the January 14th meeting. The Board is hopeful it and the Wineries can keep meeting in good faith to identify areas of agreement, and has asked WOMP to continue the discussions at another meeting. The Township will endeavor to provide progress updates when possible and appropriate. The next meeting, time to be determined, is awaiting WOMP feedback.
The Peninsula Township Fire Department reminds everyone, pets included, to stay safe and exercise caution outside as well as inside your home during this treacherous winter weather.
Updates From Down the Hall
Treasurer’s Update: Winter tax bills have been sent out. They are payable without penalty through February 17, 2026. If you haven’t received your bill, please call the treasurer’s office (231) 223-4484. **You may put your payments in the gray pedestal drop box outside the front door or use the PAY TAX BILLS tab on the Township website homepage if you are not able to come in person or mail it in.
Looking Ahead to Next Week – and Beyond
The Township Board will meet on Tuesday January 27th at 3 p.m. for our second regular meeting of the month (view the meeting packet here; the first regular meeting on January 13th was canceled). Included in this meeting will be a public hearing regarding the following item:
Application for Special Use Permit #144 to construct a new Fire Station #1 at the Township offices property. APPLICANT: Peninsula Township Fire Department. PROPERTY LOCATION: 13235 Center Road, Traverse City, MI 49686. PARCEL ID#: 28-11-128-020-10.
The TB will also be entering into closed session to consult with the Township attorneys regarding litigation and settlement strategy in McFall v Peninsula Township, Case No. 25-37813- CZ, and to discuss a confidential written legal opinion in Wineries of the Old Mission Peninsula Association v Peninsula Township and Protect the Peninsula, Case No. 1:20-cv-1008; under MCL 15.268(d), proposed closed session to consider the purchase or lease of real property up to the time an option to purchase or lease that real property is obtained.
Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Committee Openings: Peninsula Township is accepting letters of interest for three immediate openings on the PDR Selection Committee, which meets on Thursdays every six weeks. Additional meetings and study sessions might be scheduled. Note: Applicants must be qualified electors of the township. Please submit a letter of interest and/or resume to Supervisor Maura Sanders at [email protected] or by mail to 13235 Center Road, Traverse City, MI 49686, by 4 p.m. on Monday, February 2, 2026.
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.
It’s never too early to think about spring and summer gatherings in the park! Plan ahead and reserve your pavilion space at Bowers Harbor Park – view the reservation link here.
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.
Stay warm, and please check in on your neighbors.
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 very concerned about the participation of Township board members and Township employees in the discussions with WOMP. There appears to be significant conflict of interest. There are people with family members and people who donate to PTP that should recuse themselves from discussion and vote. There appears to be a “good old boys network” and many attorneys who stand to make a financial gain and have a personal agenda that has caused us to get into this conflict deeper. ‘Protect’ the peninsula is a misnomer. It actually appears to be a group that has its own agenda, not the agenda of people. The recent survey was very poorly written with leading questions. It is something that has very limited validity.