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Watersmeet Food Pantry Seeks Community Support
A message from the Watersmeet Food Pantry:
Fall is the time when we take moments to marvel in the beauty of nature. There are those among us who do not have time or energy to enjoy this beauty as they are struggling to meet the basic needs of their family. As we head into a holiday season, the Watersmeet Food Pantry needs your help. We thank those who have so generously given in the past.
At this time, we are looking to the future and once again need your help. Please consider making a donation to the Watersmeet food pantry to ensure food security for those in our community who are in need. Donations can be mailed to the Watersmeet Food Pantry, PO Box 11, Watersmeet, MI. 49969
LEGAL NOTICE: Advertisement for Proposals Watersmeet Township
Notice is hereby given that the Township of Watersmeet is requesting sealed proposals from qualified firms or individuals to provide the following goods and services:
Project / Service Title: Water Meter Project 2026-10-05
Firms or individuals shall follow the submission instructions detailed in the proposal, Section 4. All sealed proposals must be clearly marked with the project name. Detailed request for proposal packages, specifications, and submission instructions may be examined and obtained online via the Township of Watersmeet webpage: www.watersmeetmi.gov.
Solicitation submittals will be received until 1:00 p.m. (CST), Monday, November 9, 2026, and opened immediately in that office. The public is welcome to attend the proposal opening. Any responses received after that time will not be considered.
Watersmeet Township reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, waive any informalities or technicalities in the bidding process, and accept the proposal deemed most advantageous and in the best interest of Watersmeet Township.
Watersmeet Resumes Fire Sign Program
Watersmeet Township has secured a new vendor to produce fire number signs for residents.
Our previous vendor was acquired by a new company, which increased the cost of the signs and hardware without notice. The cost of an individual sign had increased to more than $100, making the program too expensive. As a result, the Township temporarily suspended the fire number sign program while we sought a new vendor.
The cost of materials and shipping has increased in recent years, including the cost of aluminum used to manufacture the signs and petroleum-based materials used in the sign sheeting. These increased costs, along with shipping expenses, have affected the price of the signs.
The Township has now selected a new vendor that is able to provide the signs at a more reasonable cost.
New Fire Number Sign Prices
- 20″ x 9″ Fire Number Sign: $44
- 18″ x 18″ Range Sign: $64
- Sign Post: $10
Prices include the sign, lettering, mounting hardware, and shipping.
Data Center Temporary Moratorium Ordinance
The Watersmeet Township Board has adopted a Temporary Moratorium Ordinance regarding Data Centers.
The 12-month moratorium temporarily pauses the permitting, review, approval, construction, and installation of data center facilities within Watersmeet Township. The moratorium allows the Township time to evaluate the potential impacts of data centers and consider appropriate regulations.
The full ordinance is available for review below.
[Read the Data Center Temporary Moratorium Ordinance] Data Center Temporary Moratorium Ordinance
Watersmeet Township Featured in Daily Press Article
Watersmeet Township Supervisor Yvonne Clark was recently interviewed by the Daily Press for an article examining the increasing financial challenges facing rural townships in Michigan.
The article looks at the financial pressures small townships face while working to maintain roads, provide essential services and meet the needs of their communities. Supervisor Clark shared her perspective on the challenges facing Watersmeet Township.
We invite residents to read the full article to learn more about the financial challenges facing rural communities across Michigan.
Read the article: Rural Townships in Michigan Endure Increasing Financial Stress
Fire Trucks & Treats Halloween Event
Get ready for a fun Halloween afternoon in Watersmeet! 🎃
The Watersmeet Fire Department will host Fire Trucks & Treats on Saturday, October 31, from 3:00–5:00 p.m. at the Watersmeet Community Center. Kids are invited to come dressed in costume and trick-or-treat around the fire trucks.
Residents are invited to join the fun by dressing up and handing out candy to the kids! You can set up in the parking lot or inside the Town Hall to welcome trick-or-treaters.
Townwide Trick-or-Treating will take place from 3:00–6:00 p.m.
Come out, dress up and enjoy a fun Halloween afternoon with your neighbors and community! 👻🚒🎃
Notice of Adoption of Ordinance No. 08192026
WATERSMEET TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE
NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO.08192026
AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS OF THE WATERSMEET TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTIONS 3.02C, 6.01B AND 6.02B OF THE WATERSMEET TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE.
THE TOWNSHIP OF WATERSMEET ORDAINS:
- The Township Board amends those sections of the Watersmeet Township Zoning Ordinance set forth below (see underlined, struck through, and renumbered sections).
- Except as amended below, the Watersmeet Township Zoning Ordinance shall remain in full force and Any provision of said Zoning Ordinance in conflict with the below changes shall be of no further force or effect.
- This amended ordinance shall take effect upon the expiration of 30 days after publication of the ordinance.
Adopted and approved by the Township Board of the Township of Watersmeet, Gogebic County, Michigan, on the 19th of August, 2026.
YVONNE CLARK, Township Supervisor
LAURA MANS, Township Clerk
STATE OF MICHIGAN )
)ss
COUNTY OF GOGEBIC )
I hereby certify that the below Amended Ordinance of the Township of Watersmeet, Gogebic County, Michigan, was duly adopted by the Watersmeet Township Board at a regular meeting the 19th day of August, 2026 with the following votes:
| 3.02C |
AYE: 5 |
NAY: Ø | ABSENT: Ø |
| 6.01B | AYE: 5 |
NAY: Ø |
ABSENT: Ø |
| 6.02B | AYE: 5 | NAY: Ø | ABSENT: Ø |
LAURA MANS, Township Clerk
A copy of the ordinance amendment may be viewed on the township website at www.watersmeet.us or requested from the town clerk at the township office located at N4689 1st Street, Watersmeet, MI 49969 or by calling the clerk at 906-358-4501; Mon- Fri 9 am to 3 pm or by emailing her at townclerk@watersmeet.us
ORDINANCE NO. 08192026
3.02C – Accessory Uses
- Accessory buildings, structures and incidental uses which do not alter the primary character of the District, but not including any additional structure for dwelling purposes either temporarily or otherwise
- Keeping of domestic pets in reasonable numbers. No animal or animals shall constitute a nuisance to the neighborhood by reason of noise, odor, sanitary conditions, or trespass.
- Storage of not more than one unoccupied trailer coach, one boat, and one trailer parked in a rear yard with due regard to yard requirements. The one boat and trailer restriction does not apply to small fishing craft normally used on small inland lakes
6.01B – R&F Properties Within the L-1 Lake Areas and L-2 Lake Areas Transition Zone
For the purpose of this Section 6.01 B, any property parcels located within or partially within a zone that extends 1,000 feet from the Ordinary High Water Mark (hereinafter referred to as “OHWM”) of any lake within the L-1 Lake Area district or the L-2 Lake Area District are classified as the L-1/L-2 Lake Area Transition Zone (hereinafter referred to as “Transition Zone”). The provisions of Section 6.02 shall not apply to property parcels located within or partially within the Transition Zone. Instead the following provisions shall apply to property parcels within or partially within the Transition Zone
- Primary Uses Without Special Approval REV. 01-27-2020
a. One family residential structures
a.1. Those one family residential structures of regular design (square or rectangle) located within 1,000 feet from the OHWM of any lake in the L1 or L2 lake areas shall have a minimum footprint of 750 square feet with all sides having a minimum of 20 feet measured from corner to corner of the main structure. Irregular designed residential structures, such as an octagon, would not have to meet the 20 foot sides, but would have to meet the 750 square foot footprint.
a.2. Those one family residential structures located beyond 1,000 feet of the OHWM of any lake in the L-1 OR L-2 Lake Areas shall have a minimum finished living floor area of 201 square feet.
c. Home occupations and professional offices as provided in Paragraph 3 of Section 3.01A.
d. Hunting, fishing and trapping to the extent laws and regulations permit the aforementioned in the Transition Zone.
e. Harvesting of the fruit, tubers and seeds of any native or wild plant or shrub to the extent permitted by laws or regulations.
f. Production and/or management of trees on woodlots or forested land.
g. Long term rental (twenty eight consecutive days or more) of single family dwelling. - Use by Special Approval as Provided by Section 7.09. REV. 02-04-2019
a. Resorts
b. Marinas
c. Youth camps including lodge and sleeping quarters
d. Restaurants
e. Multiple family residential structures, for example; condominiums, timeshares and the like.
f. Caretaker or guest houses which are not for rent or lease
g. Roadside stands providing for the sale of goods provided that the location of the stand and the
facilities for parking and the entry and exit from the Highway shall be approved by the County Road
Commission as safe and adequate
h. Public facilities to provide for public safety and fire protection
i. Public parks and playgrounds including buildings or structures commonly associated with parks
and playgrounds
j. Short term rental (twenty seven days or less) of single family dwelling. - If a property parcel extends beyond the 1,000 ft. L-1/L-2 Area Transition on Zone, then the
R&F provisions of section 6.02 shall apply at the 1,000 ft. from the OHWM of any lake within L-1 or
L-2 Lake Area districts. This includes the minimum finished living floor area for a one family
residential structure (dwelling), located in Schedule 7.01A. Additionally, the standards of 7.06
apply. - Accessory Uses. REV. 10-18-2005
Accessory building(s) or structure(s) customarily incidental to any primary use or Use by Special
Approval but not including any dwelling or structure for dwelling purposes
6.02B Use by Special Approval, as provided by Section 7.09.
1. Junkyards (see also Section 7.07)
2. Refuse dumps.
3. Veterinary services and hospitals, including kennels.
4. Hydroelectric plants, dams and flowage areas.
5. Borrow pits and/or gravel pits.
6. Short term rental (twenty seven days or less) single family
REV. 10-18-2005
Watersmeet Township Adds New EMS Response Vehicle
Watersmeet Township has purchased a new vehicle specifically designed to improve the Township Fire Department’s ability to respond to Emergency Medical Service (EMS) calls throughout the community. The purchase was largely funded through Lac Vieux Desert (LVD) 2% funds, providing significant support for this important investment in the Township’s emergency response capabilities.
The new vehicle provides a more practical response option for Watersmeet’s rural environment. Many of the Township’s homes are located along narrow, wooded driveways where the larger emergency response vehicle can be difficult to maneuver—particularly during the winter months when snow and winter conditions can make access even more challenging.
The new vehicle is smaller and more maneuverable, making it better suited for reaching residents in these more difficult locations. It is also gasoline-powered, providing a more economical option for routine EMS responses compared with the Department’s existing diesel-powered rig, which has become increasingly expensive to operate.
Expanding the Department’s Response Capability
Another important benefit of the new vehicle is that it allows the Fire Department to respond to more than one emergency call at a time. The new EMS vehicle will be the primary response vehicle for EMS calls, while the larger emergency response vehicle can remain available to respond to an additional call when needed.
This provides the Department with greater flexibility and helps ensure that multiple emergencies can be addressed without one response delaying another.
The Larger Rig Remains an Important Resource
The Township’s existing emergency response vehicle will continue to play an important role in the community. While the new vehicle is designed primarily for EMS calls, the larger rig carries specialized equipment necessary for more extensive and technically demanding emergencies.
This equipment includes the Jaws of Life, HAZMAT equipment, water rescue equipment, and other specialized rescue gear. The larger vehicle will continue to be utilized when these capabilities are needed.
The addition of the new EMS vehicle gives the Watersmeet Township Fire Department greater flexibility in responding to emergencies while providing a vehicle better suited to the unique challenges of the Township’s rural roads, narrow driveways, wooded areas, and winter conditions.
Watersmeet Township is grateful for the support provided through LVD 2% funds, which helped make this important purchase possible. The investment strengthens the Township’s emergency response capabilities and provides the Fire Department with another valuable resource to better serve residents throughout the community.
This new vehicle is an investment in the safety of Watersmeet Township residents and in the Fire Department’s ability to provide timely, appropriate emergency response when it is needed most.
Watersmeet Township Receives Tribal Contribution
Watersmeet Township is pleased to announce that it has received a $33,500 Summer 2% contribution from the Lac Vieux Desert Tribe.
Watersmeet Township sincerely appreciates the Tribe’s continued generosity and support of our community. This contribution provides valuable funding for the Township and will be used to support Township needs and priorities.
The Township is grateful for the ongoing partnership with the Lac Vieux Desert Tribe and for the Tribe’s continued commitment to helping support the Watersmeet community.
Thank you to the Lac Vieux Desert Tribe for this generous $33,500 contribution and for your continued support of Watersmeet Township!
Watersmeet Township to Discontinue CodeRED Emergency Notifications
Effective October 15, 2026, Watersmeet Township will discontinue its CodeRED® emergency notification service.
The Township implemented CodeRED three years ago to provide residents and visitors with emergencies, severe weather and other critical notifications by phone, text and email. Other than automated weather alerts, the system has been used only once during that time for a Township emergency notification.
After reviewing the program, the Watersmeet Township Board has decided not to renew the CodeRED service.
The Township will continue to provide information about local emergencies and other important notices through the Township website and its news notification system.
When there is an imminent or ongoing threat to life, safety, or property and the public needs to take immediate action, Gogebic County has the ability to issue Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) and/or Emergency Alert System (EAS) messages through the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS).
IPAWS is the national emergency alert system used to distribute urgent warnings to the public through multiple communication channels. These include Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), which target compatible wireless phones within a specific geographic area, and the Emergency Alert System (EAS), which targets the public through participating radio and television broadcasters.
Residents are encouraged to sign up for Watersmeet Township news notifications and regularly check www.watersmeetmi.gov for local information and updates.