State of Gun Lake prompts concerns in Yankee Springs
6/22/01
Patricia Johns
Staff Writer

The state of Gun Lake was much on the mind of those attending the
Yankee Springs Township meeting Thursday, June 14.

The meeting began with a public hearing on an additional fee to be
assessed to the 25 homeowners along Johnson Pond to pay for
additional dredging costs. The additional fees are necessary to pay
for preparing a suitable location for the land application of the
dredged material.

Several homeowners attended the Township Board meeting to
discuss their concerns about the project. Many said they are worried
that paying their portion of the $42,000 project may not be a lasting
investment.

Runoff from roads and fields continues to be a problem. Township
Supervisor Al McCrumb said he will speak with the Barry County Drain
and Road Commissioners to see what steps are being taken to
control runoff in the area.

One of the complicating factors is that both Allegan County and
Barry County border the area and problems with cooperation have
occurred previously.

Resident Richard Beukema notified the trustees that some lawn care
services being used in the area have been blowing leaves and grass
clippings into the lake. He said he would like to see the board
establish through ordinance a license system for lawn care providers.

McCrumb said he will talk with the Michigan Township Association
attorney about whether this is feasible.

In other business, the board approved the budget for the
2001-2002 fiscal year. The township is in the black with almost
$17,000 more in anticipated revenue that budgeted expenses.

The tax rate will be the maximum allowed by law, with McCrumb
hopeful that once revenue sharing details are available, next year's
rate can offer a slight break for township residents.

The budget review brought a questions about the fire equipment
fund. None of the revenue has been spent and the township
continues to negotiate with Thornapple Township about future fire
contracts.

McCrumb said, "We are still in negotiations, so we can't really talk
about what we have been discussing. When we began the
negotiation, we told them we had three options; to continue with
TTES, work with another fire department or start our own."

Before anything is decided on fire protection, there will be a public
hearing.

The township will have a copy of the zoning map and a list of all
properties in the township with their zoning designation printed in
the June 26 issue of The Sun and News.

A public hearing on revisions to the zoning ordinances will be on July
5 in the township hall.

The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission meeting is
Thursday, June 21. The next regular township meeting is June 19.