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Editor’s Note: Peninsula Township Supervisor Maura Sanders updates us on the Road Commission FOIA, a website upgrade, a Shoreline Protection Bill and more. Big thanks to Maura for these weekly updates. Read on for this week’s note. -jb)
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July 30, 2026
The Planning Commission (PC) met this week to discuss: the lighting amendment, an introduction to a steep slopes and tree clearing amendment, draft zoning ordinance update/timeline (page 83 of the packet), and the small processor information from the Agricultural Advisory Committee. View the video of the meeting on the Township’s YouTube channel here.
The Township Board (TB) met this week for their second monthly meeting. A representative of DTE attended the meeting to address the natural gas utility upgrade request at the south end that will impact Center Road during the overnight hours (page 56 of the packet). Public utility upgrades are exempt per our noise ordinance. Once DTE receives their work permit from MDOT, we will have the date/s for this work to be performed, tentatively late August.
The TB also approved the budget amendment for the website upgrade; we approved moving forward with CivicPlus at our last meeting. We are finally getting with the times and will have a very user friendly website in the near future (example: Grand Traverse County uses CivicPlus).
The TB appointed Trustees Wunsch, Milliken and myself (with Alexander as an alternate) to the Peninsula Township Fire Department Union Contract Negotiating Team. This will take place mid-Fall.
Our County Drain Commissioner, Andy Smits, has informed the Township that his request for an erosion and shoreline protection federally funded study has made its way to House Resolution 9497. He was informed by Representative Bergman’s staff that this project — which he petitioned for inclusion into the bill reauthorizing the Water Development Resources Act (WRDA) — had made it into the bill that was released from the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee last week. It is now available for consideration by the U.S. House of Representatives. More details are available on page 35 of the meeting packet.
The Grand Traverse County Road Commission responded to the FOIA request submitted by Peninsula Township. They estimate it will cost $9838.60 without waiving the fee. At their Commission meeting late last week (click here for the video of the meeting and move forward to time marker 1:25:00), they discussed our FOIA request: Peninsula Township is seeking historical records concerning the maintenance of Township roads. Because disclosure of these records would primarily benefit the general public, the Township respectfully requests that the Grand Traverse County Road Commission exercise its discretion to waive or reduce any applicable fees pursuant to MCL 15.234(2).
Unfortunately, during their discussion, several commissioners indicated they were not interested in waiving the fee. Specifically, Commissioner Gillman stated, “Let them take it out of their [slush?] fund. They apparently have way too much money.” The Township will continue to work on specifics highlighted in the request, as we have had some great communication with County representatives and individuals with decades of institutional knowledge at the Road Commission.
We believe that the Road Commission Finance Manager, Phil Masserant, should be able to quickly find the majority of the information we request for work performed in the financial database. The collection of the requested data will be used to give our residents a clear picture of how their taxes have been spent to support the Grand Traverse County Road Commission, in Peninsula Township, as they “work to keep Grand Traverse County moving with a network of reliable, safe, and convenient roads and bridges. The Road Commission constructs, maintains, and preserves this network while collaborating with other governmental entities and responding to the needs of the public.”
Below is a graphic from Peninsula Township’s Summer 2025 newsletter which outlines contributions to the Grand Traverse County Road Commission in 2019 and 2024 by municipality.
Updates From Down The Hall
The Clerk’s Office: The clerk’s office is very busy registering new voters and assisting existing voters. Early voting began July 25 and concludes August 2. If you’d like to vote early, head over to East Bay Charter Township from 8 a.m.–4 p.m. no later than August 2. (For more about the upcoming election, click here. -jb)
On August 3, the clerk’s office will be busy preparing for the primary on August 4. To that end, as required by state law, the clerk’s office will close at 4 p.m. on August 3 so that final preparations may be made.
If you see a clerk, deputy clerk, or elections assistant, please thank them. They are working long hours to administer the three elections now mandated by Michigan law — early voting, election day voting, and absentee voting.
Looking Ahead To Next Week – And Beyond
The Peninsula Community Library (PCL) is preparing for their upcoming used book sale. A few details…
- Used Book Sale – Members Only – you can join that day | August 6, 2026 – 3 p.m.
- Bookery Open House | August 6, 2026 – 5-6 p.m. for donors; 6-7 p.m. for community. (This is the new little building next to the carriage house. -jb)
- Used Book Sale sponsored by Friends of PCL | August 7, 2026 – 10 a.m.
The Old Mission Peninsula School is Now Enrolling! Come experience Old Mission Peninsula School in person! Take a tour with our Administration and let them show you everything OMPS has to offer and why our students love to learn!
Please join us for a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony to celebrate the Grand Opening of the “Hope for Hemlocks Sustainable Boardwalk” at the John Spencer Trail at Pelizzari Natural Area on Monday, August 10, 2026, at 6 p.m.
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 great 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…
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GEE, what comes around goes around.
Peninsula Twp. stonewalled a FOIA request for communications between the Township and Protect the Peninsula organization.
Now the township is stonewalled by the County.