Sometime after 11:30 am today the Allegan Township Clerk posted notice initial notice of a special meeting of the Allegan Township Board for December 19, 2024, at 6 pm.
It is our understanding the Township Board intends to review and approve a new resolution that will result in the reversal of previously promised funds for the Miner Lake Sewer Project and direct them to other purposes.
This development is very discouraging as does not reflect the good faith partnership in place to identify a viable plan allowing the community the opportunity to make a fully informed decision for sewer at Miner Lake.
This is a public meeting, so you are entitled to attend and share your perspective on this matter. While you will be representing your perspectives and concerns, remember you’re also a reflection of our community. So we encourage you to be prepared and respectful.
Representatives from the Association will be present to voice our concern about how this change was executed and the impact it will have on our community. However, they have noted the lack of resident feedback.
The Allegan Township Board needs to hear from you!
You can attend the meeting in person or contact them ahead of time – before 1 pm tomorrow to have your perspective noted.
Call: (269) 673-5051
email: clerk@allegantownship.org
Visit: Monday – Thursday 9 am to 1 pm at 3037 118th Ave.
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I support continuing to work toward a fully informed decision regarding a sewer system for Miner Lake. It seems to me that a sewer system is needed based on increasing use of the lake and increased numbers of year-round residents. There will probably never be a better time to get this project done. At least we need to have a long-range plan that is well thought out.
Disappointed to hear that funds for the Miner lake sewer project may be redirected for different use. We need this project done and the lake needs. I have heard that this lake is the jewel of Allegan county, let’s treat it like that.
Just sent an email to the clerk@allegantownship.org address. We stated that we strongly support the sewer project. We also asked the Township to consider any lack of response from the residents a symptom of the very busy time of the year and the very short notice we were given to respond with support, not as a reflection of disinterest in the sewer project.
Just sent an email to the clerk@allegantownship.org address. We stated that we strongly support the sewer project. We also asked the Township to consider any lack of response from the residents a symptom of the very busy time of the year and the very short notice we were given to respond with support, not as a reflection of disinterest in the sewer project.
I am for a sewer system for the lake. However, I am concerned about the cost of such a system for each household and that each household would be mandated to hook up. We have a garage on the lake that we use as our “cottage” – we could never use it or sell it as a house to live in – even if the sewer were to come to the lake. We currently have a porta potty because our lot cannot support a traditional septic system, and the Health Department will not allow us to install a pump and haul system. I have heard minimum cost of a sewer system is $65-75,000 per household – and the engineer that the Lake Association and the Township have been working with states it could be as high as $125K or more. The current uncertainty as to the cost, and the deadline to designate any Federal monies to be used is the end of this month – unfortunately this means time has run out for lake residents and the Township to make an educated, common sense decision with the current facts in hand. The potential risk of forcing many lake residents to sell their properties if forced to hook up to a costly sewer system is just not right. In my opinion, the Health Department needs to take a more proactive stance on finding the current systems around the lake that are negatively impacting the lake and take action to protect the lake – until such time that other state or federal grants become available so that the entire cost of such a system is not on the back of the residents, now is not the time to head into the dark and throw good money away.
Cheri, we have spoken and I know you are genuine when you say you are in favor of a sewer system at Miner Lake, and like you, the cost of a project and it’s design matters to all of us. That is why the work we are doing with yet-to-be-completed engineering work matters!
The Sewer Task Force was and Is actively working with the enginering firm to define a solution that work for Miner Lake. The original plan was lmited to a narrow range of options and the engineering firm was working on expanded the design and treatment options. So, the cost estimates are not yet settled or published.
However, it is common practice for engineers to explore multiple possibilties to confirm the right option is identified. It is irresponsible to “pick” the cost for a plan that would not have been selected and hilght it as a scary reason to not proceed forward.
The ARPA money was a Federal grant designed to address things like this and the Township recognized that and earmarked it for this use.
As for the timing, the Township has been provided with a clear plan that allows this work to proceed legally and without loss of the funds. Any representation to the contrary is inaccurate.
The Sewer Task Force is commited to delivering a clear plan that is talored to the needs of Miner Lake’s residents, one that provides the most flexibility for existing systems and offers the best cost possible. We are close and all we are asking for the continued partnership of the Township.
Have supported the sewer idea since inception; yet we still don’t have a proposed cost or time frame, making it difficult to be all in. Seems like it could greatly enhance water quality, possibly reducing need for weed killers. Is there any thoughts of running natural gas at the same time that sewer lines are dug?