Posts by Zoe

Road improvement work on Fish Hawk Lake Road is scheduled to begin the week of July 13.

During construction, one lane of the roadway will be closed, and traffic will be controlled by flagging operations. Motorists should expect delays and be prepared to wait for their turn to travel through the work zone.

The contractor plans to:

• Place gravel
• Pulverize the existing roadway
• Perform fine grading of the roadway

Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) paving will follow these initial construction activities.

As with any road construction project, weather and site conditions may affect the schedule. While exact dates for each phase cannot be guaranteed, the current expectation is that the project will begin and be completed by the end of the month.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to use caution when traveling through the area and to allow extra travel time during construction.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as these improvements are completed.

Voters will be asked to consider a renewal of the Watersmeet Township operating millage at the upcoming election. The township’s operating millage is renewed periodically and provides funding for essential township services and day-to-day operations.

The proposal seeks renewal of the existing 3.5-mill operating levy that has been approved by Watersmeet Township voters since 2001. This proposal is a renewal of the current millage and does not represent an increase in the millage rate being requested.

Under Michigan law, townships are authorized to levy up to 1.77 mills for general operations. Additional operating millages require voter approval. The renewal of the 3.5-mill operating levy, combined with the state-authorized millage, provides the revenue necessary to support township operations and services.

Township expenditures include services such as:

• Police protection
• Fire and EMS services
• Road maintenance and improvements
• Transfer station operations
• Insurance, payroll taxes, and pension obligations
• General township administration

Like households and businesses throughout our community, the township continues to experience rising costs for fuel, utilities, equipment, maintenance, insurance, and other operational expenses. The Township Board remains committed to managing taxpayer funds responsibly and controlling costs whenever possible.

If approved, the renewal will allow the township to continue providing the services residents rely upon. If the renewal is not approved, the township would continue receiving revenue from the state-authorized millage; however, that funding alone would not be sufficient to maintain current service levels. Significant budget reductions and service adjustments would likely be necessary.

Residents are encouraged to review the ballot proposal carefully and participate in the election. Additional information, including township financial reports and budget information, is available from the township office or on the township website.

If you have questions regarding the millage renewal proposal, please contact any member of the Township Board. We will be happy to provide additional information.

We are so pleased that Michigan Broadband is busy trying to lay fiber and get those in the southeastern part of the Township connected to high-speed internet!

Currently, the crews are out working at Duck Lake and Moon Lake. Soon they will be working on extensions on Black Bear and Peninsula Lane. From there they will head to Dinner Lake. Time and weather permitting, the crews will head to Crystal Lake, Birch Lake and Misery Bay Road.

If you have property in one of these areas and if you haven’t signed up, go to www.michbbs.com search your address and submit a form of interest or call 906-639-5000 and sign up today. Also, as a reminder, the crews will have to bury a line to your home, and things go faster and smoother if you mark your private utilities such as secondary power, sewer lines, lawn fabric, or propane/natural gas lines, etc.

During this construction phase – please be careful in these areas and keep a look out for workers.

Thank you Michigan Broadband!

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To:       Water and/or Sewer Customers Residential and Commercial

From:  Watersmeet Township Board

Customers:

The rates for both water and sewer have not been increased for several years. The township has been informed by EGLE, USDA Rural Development and the EPA that we need to adjust our rates to continue to qualify for grants that may arise for improvements or repairs of our water and sewer systems. There have also been recommendations to have all users on a monthly metering basis with a base fee. This will not happen until all customers are metered. The current rates need to be increased and the board has been discussing this for a couple of months and we have come up with a plan of action for the future as described below.

Commercial (Meter) Billing
$69 + $8.22/1000 gallons over 4200              $73 +$12/1000 gallons over 4200

There will be an annual increase in rates beginning 1/1/27 which will change these rates, and they will be posted for the public on-line and at the Township office.

An item concerning Water/Sewer rates will be on the agenda for the Board of Trustees meeting scheduled for June 17, 2026, at 4:30 PM, and anyone wishing to express their viewpoint on the proposed rate increases may address the Board during Public Comment at the June meeting.

Watersmeet Township Board

The Gogebic County Road Commission announces that effective at 6:00 a.m. (CST) on Monday, May 11, 2026 Spring Weight Restrictions will be lifted on all roads.

Watersmeet Beautification Committee Launches Community Initiative
Enriching Watersmeet One Project at a Time

A new community-driven effort is blooming in Watersmeet. The newly formed Watersmeet Beautification Committee is calling on residents—both full-time and seasonal—to help enhance the natural charm of the area through a series of small but impactful projects.

The committee’s current focus includes creating new flower planters, maintaining existing garden beds, and restoring the scenic tree line along Route 45 near the Watersmeet Pavilion Park. Volunteers of all skill levels are welcome, and the time commitment for most projects is minimal.

This is a great opportunity for individuals, service clubs, school groups, lake associations, and neighborhood organizations to get involved and make a visible difference in our community. The initiative aims to foster a stronger sense of community pride and ensure that Watersmeet continues to thrive and grow.

Those interested in volunteering or learning more about the program are encouraged to contact Denise Fauntleroy at 630-881-7252.