Supervisor’s Weekly Note: Parks Donation, Bob Wilkinson, Crain’s Grand Rapids Story, WOMP Update & More

Editor’s Note: Peninsula Township Supervisor Maura Sanders updates us on happenings in the community, including a generous donation for the Township parks, a WOMP lawsuit update, praise for Bob Wilkinson and more. Big thanks to Maura for these weekly updates. Read on for this week’s note. -jb

March 13, 2026

​Non-Motorized Transportation Planning: Mark your calendars, you’re Invited! On April 28, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., a Community Engagement Event will be held at Old Mission Peninsula School (2699 Island View Road).

The Township Board (TB) met on Tuesday with a packed agenda, including two FY 26/27 public hearings for the Proposed Fire Fund Millage and the Proposed General and Special Funds Budget. The Police Millage was not included, and will not be levied for FY 26/27, as there is enough fund balance to carry the Township through this next fiscal year. View the Packet and Packet Addition.

The Township received three sealed bids (Pg. 256 of the packet) for Municipal Sites for Lawn Care and General Maintenance & Toilet Cleaning in Peninsula Township Parks. The TB awarded the bid to Bob Wilkinson. Bob has been providing these services to the Township since 2011 and will continue through March 31, 2030. Thank you Bob for your commitment to Peninsula Township!

The Parks Committee received a $3,000 anonymous donation this week!! “This morning I received an exceedingly generous check for $3,000 with a note explaining that it’s a contribution to Township parks, in particular the purchase and care of new trees,” said Township Clerk Becky Chown, who is the Town Board representative to the Parks Committee. Thank you community member, your donation will go a long way to care for our beautiful parks.

WOMP Update: The Township received several calls from the press this week regarding the positive movement in the lawsuits. Thank you to Crain’s Grand Rapids Business reporter, Abby Poirier, for reaching out. View the questions/responses provided for publication here.

Below are recent court filings in the lawsuit. View all court filings on the Township website here.

• ​2026-02-26 Order Denying Plaintiff’s (WOMP) Motion for Order to Show Cause
• 2026-03-02 Opinion and Order Granting Defendant’s (Pen Twp) Motion to Stay Enforcement and Waive Bond on Appeal​

Below are the links to responses, by all five Amicus Brief writers, to the WOMP objections of support for Peninsula Township. The Michigan Township Association writes, “The Government Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan also states, and MTA agrees, that the Appellees’ are using their responses to the motions to file amicus briefs to expand their briefing word count.”

• International Municipal Lawyers Association: 2026-02-23 IMLA Reply in Support of Motion to File Amicus
• American Farmland Trust: 2026-03-02 AFT Reply in Support of Motion for Leave to File Amicus
• Michigan Municipal League: 2026-03-02 MML Reply in Support of Motion to File Amicus
• State Bar of Michigan: 2026-03-02 SBM Reply in Support of Motion to File Amicus
• Michigan Townships Association: 2026-03-04 MTA Reply in Support of Motion to File Amicus

Regarding the appeal briefing schedule, WOMP’s principal brief was due on March 6^th. However, WOMP requested and received an extension to file their principal brief to April 17, 2026. WOMP also asked for additional words beyond the 5,000 granted to all parties in January. This request was denied. Once WOMP’s brief on appeal is filed, we will have until May 18^th to file our reply in support of our appeal and respond to WOMP’s cross appeal. Oral arguments will most likely take place in October or November at the earliest.

The Planning Commission (PC) met last week and made a motion to recommend approval of the shoreline amendment to TB (draft meeting minutes will be posted soon). TB will introduce this recommendation at the March 24th regular meeting, 3 p.m. at the Township Hall. If the TB decides to move forward with the recommendation, it will schedule a public hearing and publish notice for the hearing. There are several opportunities to provide public input, either at the meeting or via correspondence leading up to the meeting.   

Updates from Down the Hall

The March Board of Review (BOR) met this week. Thank you to our citizen volunteers for your commitment to our residents! 

Looking Ahead to Next Week – and Beyond 

The Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC) will meet on Tuesday at 3 p.m. They will continue their discussion of the small acreage subcommittee draft ordinance and introduce their short term rental language.

Mark your calendars for the April 14th Town Board meeting. We will have verbal updates from all commissions, committees, sub-committees and partner organizations. The TB is looking forward to hearing about their progress over the last year and having strategic planning discussions for the FY 26/27 year. 

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 weekend and keep an eye on the forecast and your neighbors. Winter is just not ready to pack it in!

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…

Winery Lawsuit Update: Peninsula Township Files Appeal, Five Groups File Amicus Briefs in Support of Township