By Bruce Rolfe
In a gesture that not only shows support for two neighboring townships that is reportedly asking to leave the Gull Lake Sewer and Water Authority, the Charleston Township Board approved a motion at the township board’s regular meeting March 24 not to support a resolution establishing sewer rates by the Authority.
Vander Roest said Richland and Ross Townships plan to leave the Gull Lake Sewer and Water Authority and are appealing the sewer rate at a court hearing April 6 and also voted no to the proposed sewer rate.
He said customers in the two townships account for 72 percent of the customers in the Gull Lake Sewer and Water Authority.
Vander Roest said Galesburg-Augusta High School and over 40 houses north of G-A High School in Charleston Township are in the Gull Lake Sewer and Water Authority.
The Charleston Township Supervisor adds residents in the Gull Lake Sewer and Water Authority face a $186 per quarter charge.
Charleston Township operates and maintains its own sewer system and charges residents $126 per quarter. Charleston Township has a contract with the City of Kalamazoo for waste treatment.
Vander Roest felt in fairness to the residents in Richland and Ross Townships and their appeal, along with the best interest of Charleston Township residents in the Authority that face the higher quarterly charges, he could not support the resolution by the Gull Lake Sewer and Water Authority.
He said Ross and Richland Townships would like to approach the City of Kalamazoo to operate and maintain their sewer system.
Vander Roest adds residents in portions of Prairieville, Barry County and Cooper Townships voted in favor of the resolution.
Vander Roest said the Charleston Township Board is also attempting to recoup funds from the Gull Lake Sewer and Water Authority for not fulfilling a contract agreement when the Gull Lake Sewer and Water Authority operated and maintained the Charleston Township sewer system while the Township was part of the Authority for two and a half years.
Vander Roest said the township board believes Charleston Township is entitled to money for what the township feels was unsatisfactory meter work on Climax Drive.
The Charleston Township supervisor said a meter pit was installed on Climax Drive March 12, 2020 for $50,874.01. He claims the meter pit hasn’t worked for five and half years.
The Charleston Township supervisor claims in February 17, 2018, the Gull Lake Sewer and Water Authority agreed to complete an asset management plan no later then the third quarter of 2019. He said Charleston Township was charged $15,454.98 to prepare the report. He said the asset management plan was never provided.
Vander Roest said he sent a letter to the Gull Lake Sewer and Water Authority seeking a minimum of $10,000 in reimbursement.
Vander Roest adds the Gull Lake Sewer and Water Authority has referred his letter to the Authority’s attorney.
According to the Gull Lake Sewer and Water Authority February 19, 2026 minutes there was an agenda item for a request for reimbursement by the Charleston Township Board with a motion to have the attorney come back with a legal opinion at the next meeting (March 16 meeting).
A call was made to the Gull Lake Sewer and Water Authority about all points and concerns Vander Roest brought up March 24, however the billing coordinator at the Gull Lake Sewer and Water Authority office who only provided her first name (Laurie) said the Authority did not have any comment.
Three Weather Warning Sirens not Functioning
Trustee Josh Balkema told the board and audience three of the four weather warning sirens the township owns are no longer working.
He said the township owns weather warning sirens at Fort Custer State Park, G-A High School, Charleston Township Hall and Cold Brook County Park.
Balkema said the warning sirens at Fort Custer, G-A High School and Cold Brook Park were not working.
Balkema said it was determined the warning siren at G-A High School was struck by lightening and will likely need to be replaced.
The Joint Fire Board authorized the fire department to purchase new batteries to test all sirens to determine which sirens are working and potentially replace the batteries in the three sirens that are not functioning.
The township has two weather warning sirens in storage to replace any damaged sirens.
In other fire department news:
• Balkema said the Galesburg-Charleston Township Fire Department learned about a grant opportunity through Senator Slotkin’s office for capital equipment replacement including fire trucks. There is an option for the GCFA to commit paying 0, 25, or 50 percent of the grant. The application was due at the end of March. If the Fire Authority opted to pay 25 percent of a grant for a new vehicle and the grant was awarded, it would mean over $100,000 in savings towards the purchase of a tanker, which Balkema said could cost $400,000-$500,000.
With Kalamazoo County and surrounding townships transitioning to an 800 megahertz channel for radio communication, Balkema told the board and audience a grant opportunity through the county’s 9-1-1 Dispatch center to purchase new radios is available. The Fire Authority is anticipating a cost of $15,000 to outfit the entire department, however Balkema said the grant would reduce the cost by 15-20 percent.
• Balkema said the Galesburg-Charleston Fire Department would like to construct gear lockers in the fire station bay. He said the Fire Authority has agreed to pay for any costs and the fire department will build the gear lockers to save a significant amount of money.
Individual Expected to Address Planning Commission on Land Idea
Charleston Township Supervisor Jerry Vander Roest said an individual is expected to approach the Charleston Township Planning Commission at the April 21, 7 p.m. meeting to discuss future development ideas on land south of Eaton Corp. near the intersection of L and 40th Street.
In other items covered at the March 24 meeting:
• The township has applied for a scrap tire cleanup grant that will allow township residents an opportunity to properly dispose tires in a container at the Township Hall.
• The board unanimously approved a letter of support for a grant the Village of Augusta is pursuing for a water improvement project.
• The township board will have the township attorney review a mediator’s report for a fire station rental agreement with the City of Galesburg.
• The board unanimously approved six budget amendments.
• Supervisor Jerry Vander Roest informed the board and audience Consumers Energy plans to remove a 10’ x 10’ building and construct a new 33’ x 54” north of Roof Cemetery for gas distribution and help keep equipment covered. The Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals approved two set back variances and the land use plan allowing for the construction.
• Vander Roest said the township won a court case with a resident that resides in the 14000 block of East L Avenue by default. He said the property owner did not show up at the court hearing. The property owner was fined $160 and ordered to clean up the property. If the property owner does not comply, the township can clean the property and apply any charges onto the property taxes.
• Vander Roest told the board and audience Lumen Technologies has agreed to pay the Township $32,258 for sewer damage repairs on McCollum Avenue.
In a gesture that not only shows support for two neighboring townships that is reportedly asking to leave the Gull Lake Sewer and Water Authority, the Charleston Township Board approved a motion at the township board’s regular meeting March 24 not to support a resolution establishing sewer rates by the Authority.
Vander Roest said Richland and Ross Townships plan to leave the Gull Lake Sewer and Water Authority and are appealing the sewer rate at a court hearing April 6 and also voted no to the proposed sewer rate.
He said customers in the two townships account for 72 percent of the customers in the Gull Lake Sewer and Water Authority.
Vander Roest said Galesburg-Augusta High School and over 40 houses north of G-A High School in Charleston Township are in the Gull Lake Sewer and Water Authority.
The Charleston Township Supervisor adds residents in the Gull Lake Sewer and Water Authority face a $186 per quarter charge.
Charleston Township operates and maintains its own sewer system and charges residents $126 per quarter. Charleston Township has a contract with the City of Kalamazoo for waste treatment.
Vander Roest felt in fairness to the residents in Richland and Ross Townships and their appeal, along with the best interest of Charleston Township residents in the Authority that face the higher quarterly charges, he could not support the resolution by the Gull Lake Sewer and Water Authority.
He said Ross and Richland Townships would like to approach the City of Kalamazoo to operate and maintain their sewer system.
Vander Roest adds residents in portions of Prairieville, Barry County and Cooper Townships voted in favor of the resolution.
Vander Roest said the Charleston Township Board is also attempting to recoup funds from the Gull Lake Sewer and Water Authority for not fulfilling a contract agreement when the Gull Lake Sewer and Water Authority operated and maintained the Charleston Township sewer system while the Township was part of the Authority for two and a half years.
Vander Roest said the township board believes Charleston Township is entitled to money for what the township feels was unsatisfactory meter work on Climax Drive.
The Charleston Township supervisor said a meter pit was installed on Climax Drive March 12, 2020 for $50,874.01. He claims the meter pit hasn’t worked for five and half years.
The Charleston Township supervisor claims in February 17, 2018, the Gull Lake Sewer and Water Authority agreed to complete an asset management plan no later then the third quarter of 2019. He said Charleston Township was charged $15,454.98 to prepare the report. He said the asset management plan was never provided.
Vander Roest said he sent a letter to the Gull Lake Sewer and Water Authority seeking a minimum of $10,000 in reimbursement.
Vander Roest adds the Gull Lake Sewer and Water Authority has referred his letter to the Authority’s attorney.
According to the Gull Lake Sewer and Water Authority February 19, 2026 minutes there was an agenda item for a request for reimbursement by the Charleston Township Board with a motion to have the attorney come back with a legal opinion at the next meeting (March 16 meeting).
A call was made to the Gull Lake Sewer and Water Authority about all points and concerns Vander Roest brought up March 24, however the billing coordinator at the Gull Lake Sewer and Water Authority office who only provided her first name (Laurie) said the Authority did not have any comment.
Three Weather Warning Sirens not Functioning
Trustee Josh Balkema told the board and audience three of the four weather warning sirens the township owns are no longer working.
He said the township owns weather warning sirens at Fort Custer State Park, G-A High School, Charleston Township Hall and Cold Brook County Park.
Balkema said the warning sirens at Fort Custer, G-A High School and Cold Brook Park were not working.
Balkema said it was determined the warning siren at G-A High School was struck by lightening and will likely need to be replaced.
The Joint Fire Board authorized the fire department to purchase new batteries to test all sirens to determine which sirens are working and potentially replace the batteries in the three sirens that are not functioning.
The township has two weather warning sirens in storage to replace any damaged sirens.
In other fire department news:
• Balkema said the Galesburg-Charleston Township Fire Department learned about a grant opportunity through Senator Slotkin’s office for capital equipment replacement including fire trucks. There is an option for the GCFA to commit paying 0, 25, or 50 percent of the grant. The application was due at the end of March. If the Fire Authority opted to pay 25 percent of a grant for a new vehicle and the grant was awarded, it would mean over $100,000 in savings towards the purchase of a tanker, which Balkema said could cost $400,000-$500,000.
With Kalamazoo County and surrounding townships transitioning to an 800 megahertz channel for radio communication, Balkema told the board and audience a grant opportunity through the county’s 9-1-1 Dispatch center to purchase new radios is available. The Fire Authority is anticipating a cost of $15,000 to outfit the entire department, however Balkema said the grant would reduce the cost by 15-20 percent.
• Balkema said the Galesburg-Charleston Fire Department would like to construct gear lockers in the fire station bay. He said the Fire Authority has agreed to pay for any costs and the fire department will build the gear lockers to save a significant amount of money.
Individual Expected to Address Planning Commission on Land Idea
Charleston Township Supervisor Jerry Vander Roest said an individual is expected to approach the Charleston Township Planning Commission at the April 21, 7 p.m. meeting to discuss future development ideas on land south of Eaton Corp. near the intersection of L and 40th Street.
In other items covered at the March 24 meeting:
• The township has applied for a scrap tire cleanup grant that will allow township residents an opportunity to properly dispose tires in a container at the Township Hall.
• The board unanimously approved a letter of support for a grant the Village of Augusta is pursuing for a water improvement project.
• The township board will have the township attorney review a mediator’s report for a fire station rental agreement with the City of Galesburg.
• The board unanimously approved six budget amendments.
• Supervisor Jerry Vander Roest informed the board and audience Consumers Energy plans to remove a 10’ x 10’ building and construct a new 33’ x 54” north of Roof Cemetery for gas distribution and help keep equipment covered. The Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals approved two set back variances and the land use plan allowing for the construction.
• Vander Roest said the township won a court case with a resident that resides in the 14000 block of East L Avenue by default. He said the property owner did not show up at the court hearing. The property owner was fined $160 and ordered to clean up the property. If the property owner does not comply, the township can clean the property and apply any charges onto the property taxes.
• Vander Roest told the board and audience Lumen Technologies has agreed to pay the Township $32,258 for sewer damage repairs on McCollum Avenue.
The township has already received $108,000 from the Kalamazoo County Drain Commission for sewer damage repairs.
• The township board unanimously approved an agreement with the City of Kalamazoo to repair sinking man hole covers and repair concrete in front of the Target Distribution Center for $14,944.86.
The money will come out of the sewer fund. The township has a contract with the City of Kalamazoo for sewer and waste water treatment.
• Clerk Alese LePert made the following appointments for elections. Liz Sims was appointed the Chair of the AV room, Brenda Schug and Linda Kramer will be election inspectors for the AV precinct, Cindy Roe will be chair for precinct 1 and Lori Roof, Mary Phillips, Joan Orman, Randy Sharp and Linda Sharp were appointed as election inspectors.
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
https://legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
