Supervisor’s Weekly Note: Insurance Policy Update, Non-Motorized Survey, Farmers on the Road and More

Editor’s Note: Peninsula Township Supervisor Maura Sanders reports on happenings in the community, including the recent Non-Motorized Transportation meeting and survey, an update on the Township’s insurance policies, farmers on the road and more. Big thanks to Maura for these weekly updates. Read on for this week’s note. -jb)

April 30, 2026

Spring season is upon us, somewhere. You have probably noticed the farm equipment on the roads as Old Mission Peninsula farmers continue prep for the growing season. Please take a quick minute to read this article published by MSU Extension: Farmers and motorists can work together to prevent traffic collisions involving farm equipment.

The Michigan Townships Association (MTA) Annual Conference was held last week at the Grand Traverse Resort. Peninsula Township was represented by me, Clerk Becky Chown, Treasurer Katie Clark, Assessor Sally Murray, Deputy Clerk Robin Noval and Deputy Treasurer Elana Dritsas. The course load was robust, and the communication and community networking was invaluable. Courses ranging from Insights from Inside the Capital to Situational Awareness: Recognizing Dangerous Behavior to Hot Legal Topics Facing Townships in 2026 and Fields of Opportunity: Agritourism & the Right To Farm Act.

The Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC) met on April 21st. The YouTube video of the meeting can be found here. The AAC requested that Township Board (TB) and Planning Commission (PC) members attend their next meeting to help clarify questions surrounding any land use ordinance changes in the Agricultural Zone (A-1) pending the outcome of the WOMP lawsuit. We will explore the opportunity for a joint special meeting. 

Michigan State Police held an Initial Damage Assessment Training on Monday, April 27th, that I was able to attend. This important training event tied together local and state emergency declarations and the FEMA response and public assistance. This training was provided on the heels of the April flooding event that affected our township. Additionally, Grand Traverse Emergency Management had already scheduled Public Information Officer (PIO) training for community leaders per FEMA guidelines and best practices. I will be attending this in June. Please note, if you haven’t already, that there is a NEW Grand Traverse Alert – Emergency Alert & Notification system:

· New Subscribe Portal: https://traverse.sircom.org/subscribe – Primary link to be utilized for enrollments.

· Existing Recipient Account Portal: https://traverse.sircom.org/account  – Can be utilized to update or check for an existing account from the CodeRED system.

The Non-Motorized Transportation Planning group held their Community Engagement Event on Tuesday April 28th. There was a great turnout — from our local Scout Troop to active non-motorized road warriors to members of our agricultural community. Help shape the Peninsula Township non-motorized plan for safer and more connected streets and pathways for cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers. The survey is open until May 10 at PeninsulaFeedback.com. For more information about the non-motorized planning, check out the webpage on the Township website. Please direct questions to Becky Chown at ​[email protected].  

The Parks Committee (PkC) held a special meeting on April 29th. They had a packed agenda with robust updates regarding Pelizzari Natural Area, Old Mission State Park and Bowers Harbor Park. Watch the meeting on our YouTube channel here.

WOMP Update (view court filings here): On Thursday, April 23rd, the Motion for Preliminary Injunction – #15 was held in front of Judge Maloney at the U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan. Witness testimony for Plaintiff’s OV THE FARM, LLC (aka: Bonobo), Bowers Harbor Vineyards, et al., included: Todd Oosterhouse (Bonobo) and Patrick Brys (Brys Estate Vineyard and Winery).  Witness testimony for the Township included: Former Chairperson of the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (two-time appointee) Patrick Gagliardi, Township Zoning Administer and Planner Sara Kopriva and me. On Tuesday, April 28th, Judge Maloney DENIED Plaintiff’s motion for Preliminary Injunction (read more here). We anticipate a timely response to the pending Rule 12 Motion to Dismiss. 

​Update on the Township Insurance policies: Previously, two of the Township’s former insurers, U.S. Specialty Insurance Company (USSIC) and Emcasco (EMC), filed actions against the Township, seeking a declaration that they owe no duty to indemnify the Township for any portion of the judgment entered in the WOMP v Township of Peninsula case. For the action brought by USSIC, the Township has invoked the arbitration clause in the policy and moved to have that dispute decided in arbitration. The motion to compel arbitration is pending. For the action brought by Emcasco, the case is pending.

Looking Ahead to Next Week – and Beyond

M37 Byway Committee Spring Meeting. Did you know that M-37 (Center Road) in Peninsula Township is a designated State Scenic Byway? Check out page 22 and 23 of the Pure Michigan Byways Driving Route. An M37 Byway Committee meeting will take place on Thursday, May 7th, at 3 p.m. Peninsula Township is being asked to update our corridor management plan (2012 – current plan), and we are moving forward with this task with help from Networks Northwest. All are welcome to attend this meeting.

MSU Extension will be hosting their 2026 Agritourism Summit: Cultivating Opportunities Through Collaboration, Innovation and Policy Summit on Thursday, May 14th, 2026 at the Grand Traverse Resort. The Planning Commission (PC) and the AAC have been invited to attend with support via the approved budget for education and training. Members of TB will also be in attendance. The Summit is a day of learning and discussion, keynote speakers and breakout sessions. Content will focus on tools for agritourism businesses, municipalities and entrepreneurs. Participants will be engaging in an amazing line-up of learning, discussion and connections. Sign up to attend here.

Did you know? The American Red Cross was in the community this week performing a damage assessment after the recent flooding events. This work is exterior survey work only and it is done per the Self Reporting hotline at the Red Cross, 1-800-RED-CROSS. Photos are taken with a written narrative to help generate a report. The report is assigned to a case worker who then determines eligibility for financial relief, support services and clean-up kits. This is another non-governmental support service available to residents after disaster events.

Peninsula Township Fire Department Conducting Fire Hydrant Flow Testing. During the month of May, crews will be conducting hydrant testing on the south end of the township. Please be mindful and give crews space as you pass them and give them a friendly wave! This testing is a requirement for ISO ratings and also ensures we get the flow out of the hydrants that we need for fires. Residents on municipal water may notice intermittent water pressure decrease and debris in water. This is normal, run your water until the debris runs clean. Please direct questions or concerns to Fire Chief Fred Gilstorff, (231) 463-0330.

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, 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…

Court Denies Preliminary Injunction in Winery Food Service Dispute