Laketown Twp. Busy with Meetings, Spending

LAKETOWN TWP., MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Mar. 22, 2025) – A Lakeshore community is swinging into action as the first full week of spring begins.

On Sunday, over 30 people came to Saugatuck Dunes State Park to participate in a trimming exercise. They cut down invasive plants and hauled away branches in an effort to help eradicate non-natural plant life in the thousand-acre park.

Next Saturday, March 29^th, the Laketown Township Parks and Recreation Commission holds a free program on identifying and dealing with invasive species. West Michigan CISMA Coordinator Muriella Garbarino and Allegan Conservation District Conservation Technician Jason Cass will present a program that covers a variety of plants and insects, including the hemlock woolly adelgid. The 10 AM session is set for the Carriage House at the Felt Estate (6597 138^th Ave.).

In government news, the Laketown Township Board approved retaining Community Design Economics Consulting to facilitate two training and planning sessions for board members, three of which are new after last November 5^th General Election results. It will be led by Park Township Manager Howard Fink, although Laketown Township officials say that these sessions, which will be open to the public, are not linked to that neighboring community. Following these sessions, the Laketown Township board will begin a new search for a permanent manager, as Supervisor Steven Ringelberg is handling those duties on an interim basis following the January 3^rd retirement of Al Meshkin after 35 years at the post.

The township board has also approved spending no more than $650,000 on a new pumper/tanker truck for the Graafschap Fire Department, for delivery in 2027. Placing an order now would save about $50,000 due to federal emission changes set to be implemented next year. The new apparatus would replace the department’s current truck, which is more than three decades old. Fillmore Township also agreed to this same deal. This is in addition to a new tanker, ordered last year, which awaits completion of its full construction later this year.