august 2003

Ensley Township in Newaygo County MI

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Ensley Township
7163 120th St.

Sand Lake MI 49343
616-636-8510

Ensley Township Newsletter

August 2003

Paid for by the General Fund

Meeting Schedule

Township Board

August 5 December 2

September 2 January 6, 2004

October 7 February 3, 2004

November 4 March 2, 2004

*March 27, 2004

*Annual Meeting-starts 10:00AM

Planning Commission

August 25 November 24

September 29 December – None

October 27 January 26, 2004

All meetings start at 8:00 PM and are held at the Ensley Township Hall, 7163 120^th Street, Sand Lake, MI 49343.

104^th Street Resurfaced

After many years of residents avoiding driving on 104^th Street, east of Cypress, it has been resurfaced. This included fixing Hillman Hill with valley gutter to try and stop the washing out of gravel every time it rained. The County paid for this project with a little help from the Township ($25,000 dollars.) We contributed to this project to get it done this year. Otherwise, it would have been several more years with nothing definite in sight

New construction this year has been on Beech between 104^th and 112^th. New blacktop was put down on 112^th between Cypress and Elm Avenues. One mile of reseal has been put on 22 Mile Road west of Cypress, and two miles on 136^th Street west of Cypress. 136^th Street was resurfaced from Newcosta to Beech and one mile on Butternut from 136^th Street to 128^th Street.

The corner at 124^th Street and Balsam is yet to be corrected, and a new culvert will be installed on Hemlock as it developed a hole in it.

The Ensley Township Website

Take a look at the many new items on the township web page. It is updated regularly with the approved minutes, park ordinance, zoning ordinance, and newsletters. There are also pictures of the park, town hall, fire barn, officials, and zoning and building personnel.

Crime Watch

The July picnic that would have been held in White Cloud was canceled because of the situation near Fremont. It seems that this was the first time a police officer has been killed in Newaygo County. It was also the first time an officer has been killed with the State Police Emergency Tactical Squad.

Cemeteries

North Ensley Cemetery, with all the beautiful trees has several that have died or have dead limbs. These are being taken care of by the Cemetery Association so that falling limbs do not damage headstones.

At Crandall Cemetery there has been a desire to install electric and in the future, a new well. This would replace the hand pump that does not work well.

Zoning News

We have had more the fifty zoning compliance permits issued so far this year. Zoning permits are required when you are doing any building, remodeling, roofing, siding, or other repairs around your property. (See section 17.02)

Keeping of pets and small animals (section 3.24), there should be no more than three (3) adult dogs-six months or older. On lots of five acres to ten acres-one (1) horse, cow, or pig is allowed providing that any pig pen or building or structure housing these animals SHALL be a minimum of fifty (50) feet from any property line.

A new civil infractions ordinance has been added to the zoning ordinance to help enforcement efforts for cleaning up junk. At this time, we do not have any approved junkyards in Ensley Township. Unwholesome substances (Section 3.34) may now be enforced by the civil infraction ordinance.

We are in the beginning stage of reviewing the township master plan. If anyone is interested in participating as part of a citizen committee to help with this project, please contact Richard Bergman.

Copies of the Zoning Ordinance may be purchased for ten dollars ($10.00) at the township hall, or free on the web.

Improvements at Park

New benches on the landing next to the beach and new grills located at the pavilion and the beach have been added recently! New signage for the park at the north picnic area and at the beach area has also been installed. Please take a look when you get a chance.

We want to thank everyone on the park committee for their labor, and to R C Ready Mix for donating the concrete!

The ordinance for the park has been revised to make it more user friendly and enforceable. Warnings have been given, and now citations are being written to people who do not abide by the rules.

Use of the ball field and the pavilion are on a first come, first serve basis.

Larceny at Baptist Lake

During the first part of July, there was an outbreak of larcenies at the Baptist Lake area. If you have any information on any of these, do not hesitate to call the Newaygo County Sheriff’s office at 231-689-6623 ex. 7793. This extension will get you direct to our Township Officer – Frank Stabile. See his page on this webpage Click Here

Spring Clean-Up

There were a record number of people participating in bringing all sorts of rubbish, scrap metal, building materials and other miscellaneous items. This created a larger cost and also removed a larger amount of material from our township. Our goal is too clean up, so we may have three days next year because of the volume brought in.

Summer Tax Roll 2003

Summer taxes are payable between now and September 15, 2003. After that date additional fees and interest will be added. Interest rates will be 1% per month. The delinquent summer tax roll will be held by the township treasurer and will not be turned over to the county treasurer until March 1, 2004.

When you pay delinquent summer taxes after September 15, 2003, please contact the township treasurer at 616-636-8616 to see what your additional fees and interest are. If you have any questions please call Faye Folkema at 616-636-8616.

Meeting Schedule

Township Board

Planning Commission

Spring Clean-Up

Summer Tax Roll 2003

Directory

Township Board

Other Positions