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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.
Township Email Addresses Have Changed
Watersmeet Township email addresses have now been updated to the new @watersmeetmi.gov domain.
The usernames have not changed. Only the domain has changed.
For example:
jdoe@watersmeet.us
has changed to
jdoe@watersmeetmi.gov
Residents and others who regularly communicate with Township officials should update their saved contacts and email addresses accordingly.
The new @watersmeetmi.gov addresses are now active and should be used for all Township email correspondence.
If you accidentally send an email to an old @watersmeet.us address, there is no need to resend it. Emails sent to the former addresses will still be received.
Watersmeet Township Has a New Website Address
Please update your bookmarks to www.watersmeetmi.gov
Watersmeet Township has moved to a new official website address:
The change to a .gov domain makes it easier for residents and visitors to identify the Township’s website as an official government website. The .gov designation is reserved for verified government organizations and provides additional trust and security for the public.
The previous website address, watersmeet.us, will continue to automatically redirect visitors to the new website, so there is no interruption in access.
Township email addresses will also be changing to the new @watersmeetmi.gov domain. The change is not yet complete. A notice will be posted when the new email addresses are ready to use.
Residents are encouraged to update their bookmarks and use www.watersmeetmi.gov when accessing Township information, public notices, meeting documents, forms, news, and announcements.
Watersmeet Township
Official website: www.watersmeetmi.gov
Hospice Volunteers Needed
Aspirus Hospice is seeking caring volunteers to offer companionship and support to patients and families in our community. Volunteers provide a gentle presence, conversation, and comfort during an important time in a patient’s life. No medical experience is required – just kindness, respect, and a willingness to serve. Training is provided, and scheduling is as flexible as you need it to be.
To learn more, contact Aspirus Hospice or Brenda Trapp, Volunteer Coordinator Lead at (715) 847-2000 ext. 52436 or Brenda.Trapp@aspirus.org
Watersmeet Planning Commission 2025 Annual Report
The Watersmeet Planning Commission has completed its 2025 annual report, as required under the Michigan Planning Enabling Act. This report provides an overview of the Commission’s activities over the past year, along with updates on ongoing planning efforts and recommendations for future actions.
The annual report serves several important purposes:
- Keeps the Township Board, staff, and the public informed on planning activities
- Improves communication between boards, commissions, and local government
- Helps identify upcoming priorities and potential budgeting needs
- Recognizes the time and dedication of Planning Commission members
Residents and interested parties are encouraged to review the report to stay informed about planning and development efforts within Watersmeet.
Water Quality Report – 2025
NOTICE
Watersmeet Township Water Customers
The annual “Consumer Confidence Report” for the year ending December 31, 2025, which summarizes the quality of drinking water from the Watersmeet Township Water System, is available for review at the Township Office, N4689 1st Street, Watersmeet, MI 49969, Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Click Here to Read Report>
The report will not be mailed to Township residents.
BS&A Online Lookup for Property & Utility Account Holders
You can now access the following information online through the BS&A online portal: Assessing, Tax, Delinquent Personal Property Tax and Utility Billing
You should register first, which will allow easy access in the future on the bottom left-hand side of the webpage.
The service is automatically set up to search all records and using the address of the property(s) the individual owns. When searching by address don’t use the E or N, only the physical address number. You can press the down arrow by address to change to owner name if you want to search that way.
This service allows you to view records associated with your parcel(s) or account(s) but is FREE only for those for which you are listed as the owner or account holder.
If you wish to look at another property or utility account, there is a $6.00 fee for each searched item.
Access is available for all information on a read-only basis. You will be able to view relevant information but can’t make any changes.
If you have any questions concerning this service please contact the Treasurer’s Office, (906) 358-4501 Ext 111 or treasurer@watersmeetmi.gov.
Paul D Kemppainen
Watersmeet Township Treasurer
Watersmeet Senior Meals Program
Print Friendly Brochure & More Information>
Beginning June 17th, Watersmeet Township, in cooperation with the Gogebic-Ontonagon Community Action Agency and the Watersmeet Food Pantry, will be serving senior citizens age 60 and over. This Meal Program is designed to assist seniors in meeting their nutritional needs by providing delicious, nutritious meals that taste great! The suggested donation per meal is $5.00, but no one is ever denied service due to their inability to donate. Without donations, GOCAA would not be able to serve every senior in need of Meals.
How Do I Get My Senior Meals?
Pick up your frozen meals at the Watersmeet Food Pantry on the 3rd Tuesday of every month between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. You will need to fill out a registration form asking for your name, address and date of birth before picking up your meals. GOCAA will issue donation requests directly to meal recipients.
There are a limited number of meals available each month and meals will be distributed on a first-come,
first-served basis.
Any questions? Call the Township office at 906-358-4501.
Learn more
The Gogebic-Ontonagon Community Action Agency provides many services to Watersmeet Seniors. For more information visit www.gocaa.org.