December 2017 Newsletter of Algoma Township Volume 23, Issue 2 Algoma Advisor Reflective Address Signs From the Supervisor’s Office Kevin Green, Supervisor 911 reflective address markers What is the environmental issue in hold cleaning and swim recreationally. Getting are available through Algoma Belmont/Algoma? water with PFAS on your skin will not harm you. Township Fire Department for I want to acknowledge how distressing this In July 2017, residential well sampling near a only $10.00. Call 866-1583 to former disposal area used by Wolverine order. issue is for many of us. Everyone at the Township Hall feels the same way and we want to help in Worldwide near House Street and Herrington any way we can. Most of us have children that Avenue in Plainfield Township was found to con - have grown up here or are still in school and we tain PFAS compounds above the recommended want to make sure they are okay and will be okay! EPA level. This former disposal site has become I have been in constant communication with the ‘ground zero’ for the investigation into contami - Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) nation concerns for our residents. DEQ is over - to connect our residents to the right resources seeing the work conducted by Wolverine as they and make sure that I provide you (our residents) provide bottled water, sample residential wells with the most up to date information. I am and investigate the extent of the groundwater always available to talk to you personally about contamination. everything I know, so that you can have peace of In addition, DEQ is working vigorously to mind or make good decisions for your family study, verify and do testing at the dozens of other based on the latest information. potential disposal locations that have been PFAS is a class of man-made chemicals that reported throughout Kent County. Inside... were introduced in the 1950s to make products I have been working closely with Senator Peter 2 Alzheimer’s Association that resist heat, stains, grease and water. It can be MacGregor, Representative Rob VerHeulen and 2 Winter Taxes Due found in many products, including non-stick Representative Chris Afendoulis to promote 2 Township Clean Up cookware, sofa cushions, carpets, fast food pack - additional staff and testing for the DEQ. I know 2 Treasurer’s Office aging/wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, pizza our representatives are actively advocating the 3 Meet the Deputy Supervisor boxes, cleaning supplies, shampoos and many governor’s office for these added resources to bet - 3 New Elections Equipment more. These chemicals are slow and resistant to ter address the situation. Two avenues to stay up to date is DEQ’s web - 3 Township Summer Hours decomposition in the environment. The average person has over 2,000 parts per of PFAS per tril - site www.michigan.gov/belmont and Kent 3 History of Algoma Township lion already in their blood from all these items we County Health Department’s newsletter at 4 Algoma Township History www.accesskent.com/health/PFAS/Belmont.htm. Book use daily. The Environmental Protection Agency advis - Please also do not hesitate to contact me directly, 4 Meet the Zoning Assistant es that drinking water daily with 70 or more parts if you have any questions or concerns. My work 4 Planning and Zoning per trillion of PFAS over one’s lifetime (several number is 616-866-1583 and my cell number is 4 Calendar decades) could be harmful to your health, 616-745-5277. As the holiday season approaches, 4 Officials, Staff, Hours because it slowly accumulates in your blood. enjoy your families and be safe on the winter PFAS does not easily absorb into the skin. EPA roads. has said it is safe to bathe, do laundry and house - 2 Algoma Advisor

Alzheimer’s Association Township Clean Up for 2018 Caregiver Below are the 2018 Spring and Fall clean up You can help make a difference! dates and items accepted: Data security of all computer hard drives is Support Group SPRING DATES/HOURS will be: guaranteed! Meetings Thursday-Saturday May 3, 4, 5, 9:00am-3:30pm ACCEPTED E-WASTE ITEMS INCLUDE: FALL DATES/HOURS will be: PCs, Laptops, Servers, Printers, Copiers, Fourth Tuesday of every Thursday-Sat. Sep. 27, 28, 29, 9:00am-3:30pm Scanners, LCD Screens, Plasma, LED & Flat month 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM TRASH CLEAN UP: Screens, Network/Telecom Equipment, other at the Algoma Township Supervised by Plummer’s Disposal Service Inc. misc. electronics (wires, keyboards, mice, AV) Hall. They will have the authority to reject any ques - NEW!!! CRT TVs & MONITORS (as shown tionable items. below) WILL BE COLLECTED FOR A FEE: • No liquids / No hazardous waste (paint, oil, Fee to be announced at a later date as we are fuel, gasoline etc. Latex paint may be dumped currently working out contract pricing. only if itís hardened) • No brush or yard waste / No cement • All tires must be cut in half or cut sidewalls out in order to go into dumpster for free dispos - al. WHOLE TIRES will be charged. • Propane and Fuel oil tanks must be cut in half and cleaned out. • Fencing must be folded or rolled up • Barrels must have one end open or be full of holes. CHARGED ITEMS: Whole Tires: $15.00 each tire* Mattress & Box Springs: $20.00 per item* *Plummers collects $ from residents ELECTRONIC WASTE RECYCLING: Conducted by Comprenew Recyclers. They will have the authority to reject any questionable items. ITEMS NOT ACCEPTED: Electronic waste is a growing concern to our Items with refrigerant or batteries environment. When put in landfills, e-waste can For a complete list of where to take household leak harmful toxins into our soil and water. items not accepted visit Please take advantage of this opportunity to http://www.accesskent.com/Departments/DPW properly dispose of obsolete or non-working /hhw.htm electronic items. NO COMMERCIAL USERS From the Treasurer’s Office Deb Ellenwood, Treasurer Wow, December already, where has the year truth, the bank uses a third party to cut and mail a gone! physical check. Sometimes these third parties Enclosed is your 2017 Winter tax which is due batch and hold checks and do not allow enough February 14, 2018. After March 1st any taxes time to deliver. We suggest allowing at least two owing for 2017 will be sent on to the Kent County weeks, in other words scheduling the payment at Treasurer for collection. least two weeks in advance of the due date. As all human beings we generally don’t pay our Some banks even have a small print disclaimer Winter Taxes bills early, we make sure they are paid on time, but on their ePayment site that they do not take sometimes paying just before a bill is due can be responsibility for late tax payments. Due problematic. Especially with the new options at If you want to pay closer to the due date and use February 14, 2018 your bank or credit union, many people are using an online check, we offer an e-check choice online checks to be sent for their tax payments. through our online payment company, Point & As part of this process when a resident sets up a Pay. (Please see the back of the bill for instruction payment with their bank online they assume that and cost). the funds are transferred electronically, when in December 2017 3

Township Office Meet the Deputy Supervisor Hours Kelly Sheeran, Deputy Supervisor Hello, my name is Kelly and I am the new from a medical and psychology background, and Winter Hours Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30PM Deputy Supervisor. This is a part - time appoint - am beginning Township Government as a ‘new ed position and I serve the Supervisor and career’ in this stage of my life. I find it similar in Summer Hours starting the Township. In January of this year I began a whirl - many aspects, and I appreciate the challenges that Friday before Memorial Day and wind of learning about Township governance are growing me into my best practice as a ending Labor Day: Monday - and learning about Algoma’s history and its fine Township Deputy. Thursday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM people. Algoma has shown me what rural living My goals are to serve and connect our com - and Friday 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM can truly be like in this time, and the values and munity in its highest good, while upholding and priorities of residents are admirable and right in maintaining the Ordinances of our Township line with how I was raised in Wyoming, MI. and the laws of our State and Nation. I hope to (Back in the 60’s and 70’s it was rural, believe it or meet all of you in some way throughout my time not. Dirt roads and everything!) here! Feel free to stop by and say hello. My hours I am blessed to work with not only a dedicat - are 8-4 Monday and Tuesday, and 12-4 ed and capable Supervisor, but also a talented and Wednesday and Thursday. brilliant team of public servants and staff. I come

New Elections Equipment Coming to a Precinct Near You!! Clerk Judy A. Bigney, CMMC/MMC Early in 2017 our County Clerk Lisa Have you considered working as a Precinct Posthumus Lyons announced the selection of Inspector? Algoma Township as well as other Dominion Voting Systems, Inc. as the vendor of jurisdictions in Michigan are in need of Precinct choice for Kent County’s purchase of new elec - Inspectors, or better known as Election Workers. tions equipment. The new voting machines were Workers are paid to assist voters at the polls on first utilized by municipalities within Kent Election Day. Algoma Township is looking for County November 7, 2017. However, many dependable workers with computer experience to Townships did not hold elections in November work the August and November 2018 Elections. and will therefore receive the new equipment the All workers must be registered to vote, submit beginning of 2018-just in time for a May elec - their name, address, date of birth and include tion! their political party preference on a required As of this writing we do not know if there will application form. They must also attend a History of be a May election, but, are hoping so as it will give Certification Training provided through Kent Algoma our staff, precinct workers and voters experience County and attend a Township Training provid - Township in using the new equipment before the fall ed by the Algoma Township Clerk. If you are Gubernatorial race. interested please call 616-866-1583 or apply at Interested in the history of While voters will be familiar with using paper the Township Clerk’s Office before July 15th, Algoma Township? Join the ballots to cast their votes, the new system will 2018. Historical Society for only include Dominion’s ImageCast Precinct, the Scheduled elections for 2018 are: $10.00 a year and receive a most widely deployed optical scan tabulator in May 8 - TENTATIVE quarterly newsletter filled with the world, and the ImageCast X Ballot Marking August 7 - Michigan State Primary Election history and current events. Check out their Facebook page! Device, a universal voting device that offers a November 6 - General Election range of accessibility options so all voters can vote privately and independently. 4 Algoma Advisor

Algoma Township Meet the Zoning Assistant Amy Noorman, Zoning Assistant History Book Hello, my name is Amy and I was hired in January 2017 as the Zoning Assistant. I’ve recently com - The ‘Algoma Township History’ pleted the MSU Extension Citizen Planner Program and I’m working hard to become familiar with all book is still available at the aspects of Planning and Zoning in the Township. I also have multiple years of experience in Customer Service and I’m excited for this new opportunity. I reside in Algoma Township with my husband and township for $21.99. They’d I’m a graduate of Sparta High School. make a terrific Christmas gift. Planning and Zoning Just a reminder when making home improvements that you may need a Zoning Compliance Permit prior to a Building Permit. Here are just some improvements that may require a permit: 1. Additions to the home or garage. 2. Accessory Buildings (any building not attached to the residence). 3. Pools (above-ground and in-ground). 4. Decks (new and additions). There is no charge for a Zoning Permit. Applications are on the web site and if you have any ques - tions whether you need a permit or not, please call the office on Tuesdays/Wednesdays/Fridays. Calendar Township Meeting Board of Appeals - meets 1st Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm (if requested) Township Board - meets 2nd Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm Planning Commission - meets 3rd Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm (if requested)

Dates the Township Offices will be closed December 22nd thru December 25th for Christmas, December 29th thru January 1st for New Year’s March 30th for Good Friday and May 28th for Memorial Day

Additional Important Dates Winter Taxes Due February 14th, Tentative May 8th Election, August 7th State Primary, November 6th Gubernatorial Election ¡ For any additional information or times please view our website at algomatwp.org Algoma Township Office Township Officials Office Hours 10531 Algoma Avenue NE Bigney, Judy • Clerk ([email protected]) Supervisor Mon-Fri 8:30 am-1:00 pm Rockford, MI 49341-7108 Ellenwood, Deb • Treasurer ([email protected]) Clerk’s Office Mon-Fri 8:30 am- 4:30 pm Green, Kevin • Supervisor ([email protected] ) Treasurers Office Mon-Fri 8:30 am-4:30 pm Website: Guerra, Troy • Fire Chief (firechief @algomatwp.org) Fire Dept. Mon-Fri 9:00 am- 5:00 pm Maier, Bob • Ordinance Enforcement Officer www.algomatwp.org Planning Dept. Tue/Wed/Fri 8:30 am- 4:30 pm McCann, Heidi • Deputy Clerk ([email protected]) Building Permits Contact Imperial Municipal Services Noorman, Amy • Zoning Assistant ([email protected]) Phone: 616-863-9294 or 1-800-442-2794 Pickerd, Gordon • Trustee ([email protected]) Assessor Tue/Thur 8:30 am- 4:30 pm (616) 866-1583 Powell, Jim • Trustee ([email protected]) General Office Fax: Rosenzweig, Jason • Assessor ([email protected]) (616) 866-3832 Sheeran, Kelly • Deputy Supervisor ([email protected]) Clerk’s Office Fax: Sjogren, Julie • Planning Coordinator/Acting Zoning Adm. (616) 866-4968 ([email protected]) Swem, Jackie • Deputy Treasurer ([email protected] or [email protected] ) Ungrey, Tom • Trustee ([email protected]) Wilson, Robert • Trustee ([email protected])