By Bruce Rolfe
After learning the Fire Authority Board has started invoicing the Charleston Township Board a monthly rate for the township’s rent at the Galesburg-Charleston Township Fire Station that reflects an increase the township board questioned the City of Galesburg about earlier, the Township Board took action at its regular meeting September 23 that will keep a lower figure in place for now.
Two years ago the two sides arrived at a figure of $1,375 a month for the Township’s share to rent the fire station.
In January, the City of Galesburg informed the Charleston Township Board there would be a 38.2% increase in rent for the Township.
The increase in rent would be an additional $6,300 over what the township previously paid the City.
Trustee Josh Balkema, the township representative on the Fire Authority Board, told the board and audience the Fire Board has already started paying the adjusted rate the City has asked Charleston Township to pay, which Charleston Township Supervisor Jerry Vander Roest said is $1,900 a month.
Balkema felt the township board should request the Fire Board not pay any figure other then the figure the two municipalities agreed on originally.
The township board unanimously approved a motion to direct the Fire Authority to only pay the $1375 monthly fee, since a new agreement for any increase in monthly rent has not been agreed on by both municipalities.
Balkema felt until the City of Galesburg pursues mediation, the township should continue to pay the originally agreed on monthly rent figure of $1,375.
“If we’re going to go back and forth on this and want to get our rate lowered and spend less money on rent, we’re not going to get there paying exactly what they’re asking for until we come to an agreement,” observed Balkema.
Trustee Brian Moravek said the original agreement states both sides will pay the amount that was mutually agreed on, which he felt should allow the township to pay the original agreed on monthly figure of $1,375 because a new agreement has not been worked out.
Galesburg Mayor Linda Marble sent a letter to Vander Roest indicating the City Council wanted to take the issue to mediation. Vander Roest indicated the city was asking the township to make arrangements to obtain a mediator. However the Township Board felt at the August board meeting the burden should fall on the City of Galesburg.
Balkema adds the two sides have not met since the disagreement was raised by the township over the city’s intent to increase the rent.
Process to recover money for sewer line damage continues
Vander Roest said the township is waiting for a response from a letter sent by Prein & Newhof to Lumen, a fiber telecommunications company, that provides a break down of costs to repair sewer line damage the township feels was caused by the telecommunications company.
The Township claims the telecommunications company damaged the sewer line in three spots on McCullum. Vander Roest said the township is seeking $36,130.03 for repairs.
The Township also feels the Kalamazoo County Drain Commission damaged sewer lines on McCullum during a 2016 project when the county installed a drain.
The Township said the cost to repair the damaged sewer lines after the drain was installed was $106,000.
Vander Roest said a similar letter detailing a breakdown of costs to repair the sewer lines, will be forwarded to the County Drain Commissioner’s office.
Vander Roest said the drain commissioner contacted him with an offer of $50,000, however the Charleston Township supervisor said that would not be enough to cover the costs.
Land Acquisition Process With Target Hits Temporary Snag But Will Move Forward
A brief mix up stalled the acquisition process the township was pursuing with Target for a small piece of land some of the township’s water system equipment sits on.
Vander Roest said the small piece of land is approximately 65’ x 71’.
Vander Roest said for some reason the small piece of land the township has water system equipment on wasn’t separated in 2000 when Target purchased the property near the lift station.
The two sides earlier agreed there would be no cost for the land however the township would pay for land survey costs.
Vander Roest said the two sides earlier agreed the cost for the surveyor Target would provide would be $5,500. However Vander Roest told the board September 23 Target thought the process was for an easement and the company wanted to bring in one of its own surveyors. He was told by a Target representative the cost would be $10,500 for the survey.
Vander Roest told the Target official the land acquisition was not for an easement and the township was asking for the property to be donated since the piece of land the township has water system equipment on wasn’t separated when Target purchased the property near the lift station.
Vander Roest said the Target official asked him if the Township would pay for the survey that will provide a land description. The township will acquire the property through a Quik Claim deed for $1.
The township is in the process of securing estimates from a surveyor. Vander Roest felt since the process won’t involve an easement, the estimate will be much less then the price Target provided.
Consultant Discusses Water, Sewer Study
The Township Board reviewed a sewer and water study provided by a consultant.
Vander Roest said the Township’s water and sewer system is generating more revenue then expense, which will allow the township to put money away for long range expensive projects.
Vander Roest estimated $125,000 will be needed just for painting the water tower and corrosion repairs.
The township is currently paying the City of Kalamazoo $38,400 for treatment, however the township expects that cost to increase with the addition of the Andrews Estates Mobile Home Park
hooking up to the township’s sewer system.
The City of Kalamazoo is raising water rates five percent. The Township will be considering water and sewer rates soon, with November being the latest opportunity to have the new rates in place.
Township will Not Consolidate With City in November 4 Election
After the board briefly discussed at the August board meeting the opportunity to consolidate with the City of Galesburg for a Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools election November 4, the three-member Township Election Commission decided the township will not consolidate with the city and will have a voting precinct open during the election.
Clerk Alese LePert said there are 1,600 registered voters in the township and of those, 1,251 would be eligible to vote in a G-A School District election, giving township voters a closer option to vote as opposed to having to vote at one location in the City of Galesburg.
Consolidating with the City of Galesburg would have eliminated some cost for the school district.
Trash Drop Off October 11
A trash drop off for township residents only, will be held October 11 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Charleston Township Hall.
Best Way will have 2 trucks on site to dispose trash into.
The cost per carload is $10-$15, truck or small trailer load $30, double axle trailer $40 each.
Rules:
• Small loose items must be bagged or bound or will be rejected.
• No tires or dead animals
• Mattresses and carpet accepted.
• No hazardous waste.
• No yard waste, blocks, bricks, rocks or concrete.
• Refrigerant emitting appliances must have service tech’s tag attached showing unit has been discharged.
• No shingles.
Township residents are also eligible to use the Household Hazardous Waste Center at no charge. The township pays for the program. Materials accepted include batteries, computers, cleaners, gasoline, mercury, oil-based paints, garden chemicals, used motor oil, TVs. Not accepted: Latex paint. Call 269-373-5211 or visit kalcounty.com/hhw.
In other items covered at the meeting:
• Township Supervisor Jerry Vander Roest informed the board improvements at nine intersections in the township have either been made or are nearly complete for safety.
Improvements include signage, tree removal, street lights, and flashing lights.
There’s still some work that needs to be performed at G Avenue and M-96 where Vander Roest said the Road Commission will install built up rumble strips.
• The board reviewed the policy for a credit card. The credit card would be for general fund and sewer/water fund purchases.
• The Board approved the purchase for a new chemical pump for $574.71 at the water facility building on 40th Street.
After learning the Fire Authority Board has started invoicing the Charleston Township Board a monthly rate for the township’s rent at the Galesburg-Charleston Township Fire Station that reflects an increase the township board questioned the City of Galesburg about earlier, the Township Board took action at its regular meeting September 23 that will keep a lower figure in place for now.
Two years ago the two sides arrived at a figure of $1,375 a month for the Township’s share to rent the fire station.
In January, the City of Galesburg informed the Charleston Township Board there would be a 38.2% increase in rent for the Township.
The increase in rent would be an additional $6,300 over what the township previously paid the City.
Trustee Josh Balkema, the township representative on the Fire Authority Board, told the board and audience the Fire Board has already started paying the adjusted rate the City has asked Charleston Township to pay, which Charleston Township Supervisor Jerry Vander Roest said is $1,900 a month.
Balkema felt the township board should request the Fire Board not pay any figure other then the figure the two municipalities agreed on originally.
The township board unanimously approved a motion to direct the Fire Authority to only pay the $1375 monthly fee, since a new agreement for any increase in monthly rent has not been agreed on by both municipalities.
Balkema felt until the City of Galesburg pursues mediation, the township should continue to pay the originally agreed on monthly rent figure of $1,375.
“If we’re going to go back and forth on this and want to get our rate lowered and spend less money on rent, we’re not going to get there paying exactly what they’re asking for until we come to an agreement,” observed Balkema.
Trustee Brian Moravek said the original agreement states both sides will pay the amount that was mutually agreed on, which he felt should allow the township to pay the original agreed on monthly figure of $1,375 because a new agreement has not been worked out.
Galesburg Mayor Linda Marble sent a letter to Vander Roest indicating the City Council wanted to take the issue to mediation. Vander Roest indicated the city was asking the township to make arrangements to obtain a mediator. However the Township Board felt at the August board meeting the burden should fall on the City of Galesburg.
Balkema adds the two sides have not met since the disagreement was raised by the township over the city’s intent to increase the rent.
Process to recover money for sewer line damage continues
Vander Roest said the township is waiting for a response from a letter sent by Prein & Newhof to Lumen, a fiber telecommunications company, that provides a break down of costs to repair sewer line damage the township feels was caused by the telecommunications company.
The Township claims the telecommunications company damaged the sewer line in three spots on McCullum. Vander Roest said the township is seeking $36,130.03 for repairs.
The Township also feels the Kalamazoo County Drain Commission damaged sewer lines on McCullum during a 2016 project when the county installed a drain.
The Township said the cost to repair the damaged sewer lines after the drain was installed was $106,000.
Vander Roest said a similar letter detailing a breakdown of costs to repair the sewer lines, will be forwarded to the County Drain Commissioner’s office.
Vander Roest said the drain commissioner contacted him with an offer of $50,000, however the Charleston Township supervisor said that would not be enough to cover the costs.
Land Acquisition Process With Target Hits Temporary Snag But Will Move Forward
A brief mix up stalled the acquisition process the township was pursuing with Target for a small piece of land some of the township’s water system equipment sits on.
Vander Roest said the small piece of land is approximately 65’ x 71’.
Vander Roest said for some reason the small piece of land the township has water system equipment on wasn’t separated in 2000 when Target purchased the property near the lift station.
The two sides earlier agreed there would be no cost for the land however the township would pay for land survey costs.
Vander Roest said the two sides earlier agreed the cost for the surveyor Target would provide would be $5,500. However Vander Roest told the board September 23 Target thought the process was for an easement and the company wanted to bring in one of its own surveyors. He was told by a Target representative the cost would be $10,500 for the survey.
Vander Roest told the Target official the land acquisition was not for an easement and the township was asking for the property to be donated since the piece of land the township has water system equipment on wasn’t separated when Target purchased the property near the lift station.
Vander Roest said the Target official asked him if the Township would pay for the survey that will provide a land description. The township will acquire the property through a Quik Claim deed for $1.
The township is in the process of securing estimates from a surveyor. Vander Roest felt since the process won’t involve an easement, the estimate will be much less then the price Target provided.
Consultant Discusses Water, Sewer Study
The Township Board reviewed a sewer and water study provided by a consultant.
Vander Roest said the Township’s water and sewer system is generating more revenue then expense, which will allow the township to put money away for long range expensive projects.
Vander Roest estimated $125,000 will be needed just for painting the water tower and corrosion repairs.
The township is currently paying the City of Kalamazoo $38,400 for treatment, however the township expects that cost to increase with the addition of the Andrews Estates Mobile Home Park
hooking up to the township’s sewer system.
The City of Kalamazoo is raising water rates five percent. The Township will be considering water and sewer rates soon, with November being the latest opportunity to have the new rates in place.
Township will Not Consolidate With City in November 4 Election
After the board briefly discussed at the August board meeting the opportunity to consolidate with the City of Galesburg for a Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools election November 4, the three-member Township Election Commission decided the township will not consolidate with the city and will have a voting precinct open during the election.
Clerk Alese LePert said there are 1,600 registered voters in the township and of those, 1,251 would be eligible to vote in a G-A School District election, giving township voters a closer option to vote as opposed to having to vote at one location in the City of Galesburg.
Consolidating with the City of Galesburg would have eliminated some cost for the school district.
Trash Drop Off October 11
A trash drop off for township residents only, will be held October 11 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Charleston Township Hall.
Best Way will have 2 trucks on site to dispose trash into.
The cost per carload is $10-$15, truck or small trailer load $30, double axle trailer $40 each.
Rules:
• Small loose items must be bagged or bound or will be rejected.
• No tires or dead animals
• Mattresses and carpet accepted.
• No hazardous waste.
• No yard waste, blocks, bricks, rocks or concrete.
• Refrigerant emitting appliances must have service tech’s tag attached showing unit has been discharged.
• No shingles.
Township residents are also eligible to use the Household Hazardous Waste Center at no charge. The township pays for the program. Materials accepted include batteries, computers, cleaners, gasoline, mercury, oil-based paints, garden chemicals, used motor oil, TVs. Not accepted: Latex paint. Call 269-373-5211 or visit kalcounty.com/hhw.
In other items covered at the meeting:
• Township Supervisor Jerry Vander Roest informed the board improvements at nine intersections in the township have either been made or are nearly complete for safety.
Improvements include signage, tree removal, street lights, and flashing lights.
There’s still some work that needs to be performed at G Avenue and M-96 where Vander Roest said the Road Commission will install built up rumble strips.
• The board reviewed the policy for a credit card. The credit card would be for general fund and sewer/water fund purchases.
• The Board approved the purchase for a new chemical pump for $574.71 at the water facility building on 40th Street.
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