Following more than three hours of conversation Thursday, the Park Township Planning Commission still had questions to ask about a rezoning application for a possible propane distributor on Highway M-60 Thursday. Commission members heard comments from the township zoning official, three attorneys, the property’s applicants, and 14 members of the public. Commissioners reviewed, adjusted, and approved a comprehensive list of statements called a “Finding of Facts.” With more of the review process still ahead of them, the commissioners voted to put the meeting into recess until 7 p.m. on December 3.
Dale Hutson
Jack Coleman, who recently ran for the seat of 59th District Representative in the Michigan legislature, has a new position in St. Joseph County. At a regular meeting Tuesday evening, the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners (BOC) appointed Coleman to an upcoming vacancy on the St. Joseph County Road Commission (SJCRC). Coleman will replace John Bippus in the position, which turns over after January 31.
One by one, representatives of the St. Joseph County Road Commission (SJCRC) have been meeting with townships around the county to discuss next year’s road work priorities. Each year, SJCRC accomplishes a variety of paving, pavement sealing, reconstruction, and bridge work projects around the county. Some of those projects are funded entirely by SJCRC’s own funds, some are partially covered by outside grants, and some are shared in equal parts by the SJCRC and the townships. At a Wednesday meeting of the Park Township board, Township Supervisor Ed English provided an overview of potential projects for 2021.
Members of the Lockport Township Board of Trustees approved St. Joseph County Equalization Director Josh Simmons to serve as the County’s new Designated Assessor at a regular meeting Monday evening. The other 15 townships in the county must also approve Simmons’s appointment to the position, which was required in a change to state laws two years ago. The position exists to take over a township’s property assessment duties in the event that the regular assessor has failed to perform in compliance with state requirements and the trustees do not step in to intervene.
Lockport Township Assessor Dale Hutson explained the role of a Designated Assessor at a township Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday evening. His explanation came in response to recent concerns about the need for someone to fill the Designated Assessor position by several township trustees.