By Bruce Rolfe
The Charleston Township Board appointed a new Planning Commission member and approved the purchase of a new digital sign that will replace the old township hall sign at its regular meeting July 28.
The township board meeting was held in a somber environment after Charleston Township Supervisor Jerry Vander Roest announced that Planning Commission Chairman Tim Vosburg passed away unexpectedly July 22.
Vander Roest informed the Board that longtime Charleston Township resident Clifford Lipscomb expressed interest in filling the vacant seat.
After brief discussion, the Board unanimously appointed Lipscomb to complete Vosburg’s term, which expires December 31, 2028.
Lipscomb’s term began July 29, 2026.
Lipscomb is a lifelong resident of Charleston Township and has been a farmer in the township many years. He currently serves on the Kalamazoo County Farm Bureau Board.
Sign Purchase Approved
After reviewing three estimates and different sizes, the Board unanimously approved the purchased of a new digital sign to replace the older sign in front of the Township Hall.
The Board approved the purchase of a 3 foot by 6 foot sign from The Sign Center for $22,477.50. The 3 x 6 foot screen size on the new sign is comparable to size of the current sign.
The sign will be 9 millimeter resolution.
The Township Board will use funds from a CD that will be expiring to pay for the sign, which will be more then enough to pay for the new digital sign. The board budgeted $38,000 for a new sign last March.
Vander Roest said the old sign that required someone to change using individual letters has been in place since the 1970s.
The Township Board also considered estimates from Burkett Signs and Sign Crafters.
Township Awarded Scrap Tire Grant
The Township was awarded a $3000 grant for scrap tire disposal.
Supervisor Jerry Vander Roest said Charleston Township was the only unit of government in Kalamazoo County to receive the grant.
Vander Roest said the township could also include another unit of government to utilize the opportunity. He mentioned approaching the City of Galesburg.
Because the grant was awarded later then anticipated, the opportunity to use the grant has been extended to December 31, 2027, allowing the Board to have a scrap tire drive this fall or next year.
Because it has been two years since a scrap tire disposal opportunity was held in the township, the board preferred holding the event this fall.
A 53-foot trailer will be placed in the township hall parking lot for tire disposal on a date to be determined.
The board could decide to hold the scrap tire disposal opportunity in conjunction with one of three fall trash disposal dates available.
Vander Roest said the three dates this fall Best Way Disposal has available for the fall trash disposal date is September 12, Oct. 17, or Oct. 24.
A decision on a fall trash disposal date will be made in the near future.
New Water and Installation Costs Discussed
Vander Roest told the board after visiting with the township’s engineer and reviewing other water and sewer rates he has started drafting new water and sewer rates.
The board will review and discuss rates at a future board meeting.
In other items from the July 28 board meeting:
• Supervisor Jerry Vander Roest informed the board there was an application for an oil well on MN Avenue.
• Josh Balkema informed the Board the new fire truck is expected to be delivered in late September or the first few weeks of October.
Riley Boomershine joined the Fire Board and attended his first meeting.
• Vander Roest said he will be expressing his concerns to the Kalamazoo Area Transportation Study (KATS) about Metro Service usage.
He said out of the 24 units of government in Kalamazoo County, less then 4 percent (3.98 percent) in 12 of those units of government including Charleston Township, use the service, “but the value that we pay for all that service is a lot more.”
• After brief discussion the Township Board offered general consensus that the township continue to use the County GIS system for another year and then review its options.
The board discussed an Online data proposal for GIS mapping services. Vander Roest said only Schoolcraft Township is on the new system. He said there would be a charge to set up and the annual fee would be about $700.
The township has budgeted $500 a year to use County GIS mapping services for water and sewer information, plat mapping and house addresses. Vander Roest suggested because only one municipality larger then Charleston Township is using the system, the township wait another
year and evaluate a future decision when the new budget is being prepared.
• The Township Board unanimously approved a motion to discontinue internet service with Mercury and sign a contract with AT&T mobile after a 30-day trial period elapses.
The township has been with Mercury for internet service for telephone usage since 2023.
It was noted the township is currently paying $170 a month to Mercury. She said the montly fee to AT&T would be $65 with a one year contract. If autopay is used the monthly fee will be $60.
The Charleston Township Board appointed a new Planning Commission member and approved the purchase of a new digital sign that will replace the old township hall sign at its regular meeting July 28.
The township board meeting was held in a somber environment after Charleston Township Supervisor Jerry Vander Roest announced that Planning Commission Chairman Tim Vosburg passed away unexpectedly July 22.
Vander Roest informed the Board that longtime Charleston Township resident Clifford Lipscomb expressed interest in filling the vacant seat.
After brief discussion, the Board unanimously appointed Lipscomb to complete Vosburg’s term, which expires December 31, 2028.
Lipscomb’s term began July 29, 2026.
Lipscomb is a lifelong resident of Charleston Township and has been a farmer in the township many years. He currently serves on the Kalamazoo County Farm Bureau Board.
Sign Purchase Approved
After reviewing three estimates and different sizes, the Board unanimously approved the purchased of a new digital sign to replace the older sign in front of the Township Hall.
The Board approved the purchase of a 3 foot by 6 foot sign from The Sign Center for $22,477.50. The 3 x 6 foot screen size on the new sign is comparable to size of the current sign.
The sign will be 9 millimeter resolution.
The Township Board will use funds from a CD that will be expiring to pay for the sign, which will be more then enough to pay for the new digital sign. The board budgeted $38,000 for a new sign last March.
Vander Roest said the old sign that required someone to change using individual letters has been in place since the 1970s.
The Township Board also considered estimates from Burkett Signs and Sign Crafters.
Township Awarded Scrap Tire Grant
The Township was awarded a $3000 grant for scrap tire disposal.
Supervisor Jerry Vander Roest said Charleston Township was the only unit of government in Kalamazoo County to receive the grant.
Vander Roest said the township could also include another unit of government to utilize the opportunity. He mentioned approaching the City of Galesburg.
Because the grant was awarded later then anticipated, the opportunity to use the grant has been extended to December 31, 2027, allowing the Board to have a scrap tire drive this fall or next year.
Because it has been two years since a scrap tire disposal opportunity was held in the township, the board preferred holding the event this fall.
A 53-foot trailer will be placed in the township hall parking lot for tire disposal on a date to be determined.
The board could decide to hold the scrap tire disposal opportunity in conjunction with one of three fall trash disposal dates available.
Vander Roest said the three dates this fall Best Way Disposal has available for the fall trash disposal date is September 12, Oct. 17, or Oct. 24.
A decision on a fall trash disposal date will be made in the near future.
New Water and Installation Costs Discussed
Vander Roest told the board after visiting with the township’s engineer and reviewing other water and sewer rates he has started drafting new water and sewer rates.
The board will review and discuss rates at a future board meeting.
In other items from the July 28 board meeting:
• Supervisor Jerry Vander Roest informed the board there was an application for an oil well on MN Avenue.
• Josh Balkema informed the Board the new fire truck is expected to be delivered in late September or the first few weeks of October.
Riley Boomershine joined the Fire Board and attended his first meeting.
• Vander Roest said he will be expressing his concerns to the Kalamazoo Area Transportation Study (KATS) about Metro Service usage.
He said out of the 24 units of government in Kalamazoo County, less then 4 percent (3.98 percent) in 12 of those units of government including Charleston Township, use the service, “but the value that we pay for all that service is a lot more.”
• After brief discussion the Township Board offered general consensus that the township continue to use the County GIS system for another year and then review its options.
The board discussed an Online data proposal for GIS mapping services. Vander Roest said only Schoolcraft Township is on the new system. He said there would be a charge to set up and the annual fee would be about $700.
The township has budgeted $500 a year to use County GIS mapping services for water and sewer information, plat mapping and house addresses. Vander Roest suggested because only one municipality larger then Charleston Township is using the system, the township wait another
year and evaluate a future decision when the new budget is being prepared.
• The Township Board unanimously approved a motion to discontinue internet service with Mercury and sign a contract with AT&T mobile after a 30-day trial period elapses.
The township has been with Mercury for internet service for telephone usage since 2023.
It was noted the township is currently paying $170 a month to Mercury. She said the montly fee to AT&T would be $65 with a one year contract. If autopay is used the monthly fee will be $60.
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