Posts by Zoe

At the July 19th meeting the Board of Trustees appointed John Oliver to replace Alan Piel for the remainder of his term ending November 2024.  John has been active in the township as a member and recording secretary for the Zoning Board of Appeals and a member of the Watersmeet Internet Task Force.

John can be contacted by leaving a message at the township office at 906.358.4501 or email him at trustee2@watersmeetmi.gov.

The Watersmeet Township Zoning Board of Appeals will conduct a hearing on Tuesday August 1, 2023 at 6:00PM in the Watersmeet Township Community Center, N4689 1st Street, Watersmeet, MI. The purpose of the hearing is to consider a dimensional variance requested by Tom Chester for approval to construct a pole building located at E23935 Crozer St., Parcel No. 27-06-22-701-300, in Watersmeet Township. The variance request involves the minimum setback requirements for the proposed pole building footprint.

The public may express its views at this hearing or send written comments to: Chairperson, Watersmeet Township Zoning Board of Appeals, PO Box 306, Watersmeet, MI 49969 by Friday July 28, 2023. Documents associated with the variance request may be examined during normal business hours at the Watersmeet Township offices, also located at N4689 1st Street.

THE COMMUNITY CENTER IS HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE

After more than 2 years of work, the Watersmeet Broadband Internet Task Force is thrilled to announce that state-of-the-art fiber optic internet is coming to much of Watersmeet Township!  Highline, a fiber optic service provider company, has now started digging and laying fiber optic cable in the township.  Fiber optic is reliable since most of the cable is buried, and Highline will be offering speeds of either 1 or 2 Gigabits (1000 or 2000 Mbps).  Their current goal is to have this service available to Watersmeet Township homes by mid-November, although this will depend on several factors outside of Highline’s control.

Due to restrictions placed on Highline by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), not every area of the township is eligible for fiber optic internet at this time.  Specifically, locations around Dinner Lake, Duck Lake, Birch Lake, Moon Lake and Allen Lake are currently not included in the roll-out.  To remedy this, the Watersmeet Township Broadband Task Force is continuing to actively explore all options to bring faster, more reliable internet to the remainder of the township.

Highline has a Q & A page that answers things like cost, installation, etc. Read More>

During the construction phase, please be mindful of the Highline (and AEG) crews working along the shoulders of roads.  Please slow down and give them space to safely do their work.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Watersmeet Township Trustee Yvonne Clark at trustee1@watersmeetmi.gov

Watersmeet Broadband Internet Task Force

• Yvonne Clark (Watersmeet Township Trustee)
• John Oliver
• Bob McGuffin
• Greg Clark
• past member: Dan Hance

Pictured at the Kickoff to Construction from left to right: Bob McGuffin and John Oliver, Congressman Jack Bergman, Trustee Yvonne Clark, Greg Clark and AEG Project Manager Jason Keast

Highline Construction Crew

The dry season is continuing in the area and the Watersmeet Police and Fire Department would like to remind everyone that before you burn, you MUST check the Michigan DNR Burn Permits website to verify burning is allowed.

Please be aware ALL burning is currently banned.  This includes debris burning, campfires, and fire pits.

PURSUANT TO THE WATERSMEET OUTDOOR FIRE REGULATION ORDINANCE – FINES WILL BE IMPOSED FOR ILLEGAL OPEN BURNING

Offenders will also be required to reimburse the township(s) for all costs associated with an emergency response.

More information is available on this website. Read More>

The Michigan DNR held a public hearing on Tuesday June 20, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the Watersmeet Township Community Center to gather public input on the need for local watercraft controls on the Cisco Chain of Lakes. DNR Public Notice> 

In May 2022, the Watersmeet Township Board of Trustees formally requested Michigan DNR conduct a study to assess the need for additional controls, primarily in the form of a “No Wake” ordinance, in 8 channels of the Cisco Chain. Cisco Chain Map>.  The requested study was conducted in the summer and fall of 2022.  Preliminary reports and recommendation were provided to the Township in November 2022.

Prior to making a final decision, DNR was required to conduct a public hearing to allow interested persons to present their views on the preliminary reports and the need for special rules.  Comments could be presented verbally or in writing at the hearing.  Written comments can also be sent to the DNR address in the hearing notice for 30 days after the date of the public hearing.  Comments are due to the DNR by July 20, 2023.

List of Public Reports:

• Big Africa to Little Africa Lake-Watersmeet Twp- Prelim Investigation Report
• Big Africa to Record Lake-Watersmeet Twp- Prelim Investigation Report
• East Bay to Indian Lake-Watersmeet Twp- Prelim Investigation Report
• Echo Bay to Thousand Island-Watersmeet Twp- Prelim Investigation Report
• Lindsley to Thousand Island-Watersmeet Twp- Prelim Investigation Report
• Morley to Lindsley-Cisco Chain-Watersmeet Twp- Prelim Investigation Report
• Sand Cut-Watersmeet Twp- Prelim Investigation Report
• Thousand Island to Big Africa Lake-Watersmeet Twp- Prelim Invest. Report

Notice of Public Hearing – Zoning Board of Appeals

The Watersmeet Township Zoning Board of Appeals will conduct a hearing on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at 6:00PM in the Watersmeet Township Community Center, N4689 1st Street, Watersmeet, MI. The purpose of the hearing is to consider dimensional variances requested by Patrick Mans for approval to construct a dwelling on his property located at 19387 Roddis Rd., Parcel No. 27-06-31-004-510, in Watersmeet Township. An additional parcel included in this request is 19388 Roddis Rd., Parcel No. 27-06-31-004-500, in Watersmeet Township. The variance requests include the minimum setback requirements for the proposed dwelling footprint from the lot lines and the minimum lengths of the lot lines for both lots.

The public may express its views at this hearing or send written comments to: Chairperson, Watersmeet Township Zoning Board of Appeals, PO Box 306, Watersmeet, MI 49969 by Friday June 23, 2023. Documents associated with the variance requests may be examined during normal business hours at the Watersmeet Township offices, also located at N4689 1st Street.
THE COMMUNITY CENTER IS HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE

Agenda and Notice

Introducing K-9 Ragnar, the newest officer of the Lac Vieux Desert Tribal Police Department.

Ragnar and his handler, Officer Callison, graduated from Mid-Michigan Police K-9 School on April 6^th.

They completed a 200-hour training course and are trained in narcotics detection, tracking, article searches and handler protection.

Change to Board of Trustees Meeting Time

The Watersmeet Board of Trustees voted to change the time of their regularly scheduled monthly meetings.  Watersmeet Board of Trustees meetings will now be held on the third Wednesday of each month at 1:00 p.m. with the exception of the March meeting which is always held on the last Wednesday of the month for budget approval.

Discontinuation of Virtual Access

Due to limited participation by interested residents and members of the public, the Watersmeet Township Board of Trustees voted to discontinue virtual access services for Township public meetings except in cases of public hearings or meetings with agenda topics that the Board deems of significant importance.

The virtual access sign-up list will no longer be utilized.  For future meetings that will be broadcast, a notification email will be sent to all website news subscribers which will include the Microsoft Teams meeting link.  To subscribe to township news, please submit your name and email address under “Sign Up Now” on the bottom of this page.

Duck Lake Fighting for the Future of a U.P. Lake by Corinne Duerkop is the featured article in “The Michigan Riparian” Spring issue.  Click here to read the article>

Watersmeet Township Voters

On May 2, 2023, a millage renewal election is going to be held for Watersmeet Township Operations. The local operating millage comes up for renewal typically every four years.

The State of Michigan allows townships to levy 1.77 mills as part of their winter property tax collection in order to cover operating costs.  Townships can levy additional millages if approved by voters.  The ballot proposal is seeking a renewal of the 3.5 mills that has been approved by voters since 2001. The amount requested doesn’t reflect an increase, although costs for the township have increased tremendously since the last renewal. Assuming passage of the renewal millage, it would remain in effect until April 1, 2027.

You are all aware of how inflation is affecting all our lives and is having a similar effect on the township. The township board has made every effort to keep operating costs down in the past and has not always levied the full millage approved by voters.  For example, this past year the Township levied 3.1867 of the approved 3.5 mills, for a total of 4.93 mills when combined with the State allotted millage.   Efforts will continue to minimize operating costs but the Township has no control over things such as lights, electricity, heating, fuel, insurance premiums and many others.

Examples of some of the costs associated with general operation of the township for 2022-23 were as follows. Police protection, $199,853.00; Fire (including EMS), $76,503.04; Roads, $109,768.59; Transfer Station, $87,214.60; and Insurance, Payroll Tax and Pension, $130.403.15. A copy of the Revenue and Expenditure Report for the fiscal year April 1, 2022-March 31, 2023 can be seen here (2022-2023 Watersmeet Revenue and Expenditure Report).

The 3.5 operating millage will generate an estimated $703,826.00 in revenue.  The 1.77 mills allowed by the State will generate an estimated $355,935.00.  Combined revenue from both millages is $1,059,761.00, sufficient to cover operating costs.  If renewal of the 3.5 operating millage is not approved by voters, Watersmeet Township still will be able to levy the 1.77 mills.  However, the amount of money generated will not cover the operational costs described above.  For the township to continue providing current services, and possibly expand some of them, we need the Renewal to pass.

Failure of the Renewal means making serious cuts to the budget.  For example, Police protection would be limited, if at all available.  Emergency vehicles (Fire, EMT, Police) would not receive necessary maintenance.  Transfer station hours would be greatly reduced.  We would be unable to maintain roads.  These are just a few examples.

The township board hopes that those voting consider the impacts of the millage renewal passing or failing on their voting decision. Voters should keep in mind what their decision will mean for the level and type of services the township will provide for this fiscal year and the implications it will have for services being offered in the future.

For the township to continue providing current services, and possibly expand some of them, we need the Renewal to pass.

Please exercise your right to vote on May 2, 2023.  (Click here for sample ballot)

If you have any questions regarding the millage renewal proposal don’t hesitate to contact any of us to clarify them. This millage renewal is extremely important for the future of our township.

Watersmeet Township Board

Mike Rogers, Supervisor
Julie Mathiesen, Clerk
Paul Kemppainen, Treasurer
Yvonne Clark, Trustee
Alan Piel, Trustee