The Lowell Charter Township Board met for an hour on Monday night for its regular monthly meeting. On the agenda were reappointments to commissions, a first look at next year’s budget and a review of expected road projects.
Supervisor Jerry Hale was absent so William Thompson ran the meeting as Supervisor Pro Tem. Trustee Mark Anderson was also absent.
Update on Fire Department Budget and Staffing
At the start of the meeting, board members discussed the budget and staffing of the Lowell Area Fire Department. It was noted that the department recently needed to replace a pump on one vehicle at a cost of $12,000. The expense was unexpected and has contributed to a “tight budget” for the Lowell Area Fire and Emergency Services Authority.
Trustee Carlton Blough, who sits on the authority board, also shared that Shannon Witherell had resigned as Fire Chief and Cory Velzen was serving in that capacity now. Thompson said it was his understanding that Velzen already had two jobs and was worried about adding to his responsibilities. Treasurer Ronda Benedict asked if the authority would be looking for a new chief.
“We’re going to see what Cory wants to do,” Blough replied. “Right now, it sounds like the captains and lieutenants (and) everyone is stepping up to help out.”
2024 Lowell Township Road Projects
Thompson said he had been in touch with a representative of the Kent County Road Commission about roadwork for 2024. From those discussions, he presented the following proposed projects:
Chip and Seal (Paid entirely by KCRC)
- Lowellview: Emery to 28th Street
- 28th Street: Lowell View to Montcalm
Reconstruction (Cost split between township and county)
- Barnsley Road: Cumberland Avenue to Birmingham Drive
- Birmingham Road: Fulton Street (M21) to Barnsley Road
- Boulder Drive: Birmingham Road to Gezina Street
- Barnsley Road: Birmingham Avenue to Wales Road
- Barnsley Road: Wales Road to Hamlet Drive
- Hamlet Drive: Barnsley Road to Trent Street
The total cost of the township share of these projects would be $250,000. The board voted unanimously to approve the road plan contingent upon whether funds could be made available in the budget.
2024-25 Lowell Township Budget Estimates
During Monday’s meeting, board members also got their first look at the proposed budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year.
As presented, the general budget is just shy of $1 million at $999,000 in planned appropriations. Departments slated for the largest appropriations include the following:
- Township parks: $213,000
- General administration: $180,325
- Highways and streets (excluding Act 51 funds): $172,600
However, Clerk Monica Burtt noted the budget would need to be changed to accommodate the previously discussed roadwork. She also noted that the township had approximately $33,000 in uncommitted funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.
The budget will be brought before the board again at its next meeting, and a public hearing is expected to be scheduled for February.
Insurance Quote for 2024
Board members also reviewed the 2024 insurance premium for township property, such as the township hall. The new premium is $15,834, an increase of 11% from 2023.
“I asked (the agent) why, and he said it was because of construction costs (rising),” Burtt said.
Thompson was concerned that the pedestrian bridge in the N. Riverfront Park was only insured for $1 million. Trustee Andy Vander Ziel agreed. “It’s a good point,” he said. “I would be concerned that would be under-covered.”
Burtt said she would look into that further and report back to the board.
Other Meeting Items
Other items from the township meeting included the following:
- Unanimous passage of a resolution designating the township hall board room as the Lowell Township early voting location.
- Reappointment of Carlton Blough to the Fire and Emergency Services Authority Board.
- Reappointment of Dave Simmonds to the Lowell Township Planning Commission.
- Reappointment of Mark Anderson to the Election Commission.
The meeting adjourned at 8:02pm, and the next regular meeting of the Lowell Township Board will take place on Monday, Jan. 15, at 7pm in the township hall.
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