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Public Notices
Notice of Adoption of Ordinances to Regulate Wind, Solar and Utility Battery Storage
November 20, 2024 - 12:50 pmBELVIDERE TOWNSHIP FINAL BUDGET MEETING
April 2, 2025 - 4:30 pmMarch 24, 2025
Meeting called to order at 6:01 pm
Board Member present: Forrest Herzog, Tarin Minkel, Leigh Murray, Brent Dietrich, Judy Spring
Public comments pertaining to agenda: None
2025-2026 Budget, Board reviewed budget numbers and made some changes
After much consideration a motion to approve the budget made by Judy Spring, 2nd by Forrest Herzog
Roll Call Vote: All members voted to approve the budget, budget passes unanimously
Public Comments: Wayne Watts, Board spending too much of township savings
Nancy Snyder, stated she doesn’t see why we need a Secretary, Deputy Clerk and a Clerk. Our pay is too much and the hours we work are too many. Secretary works for Supervisor and outer office, Deputy Clerk is mandated by the State as is the Clerk.
Belvidere Planning Commission
April 16, 2025 - 12:20 pmBelvidere Township Monthly Meeting April 15, 2025
April 23, 2025 - 3:33 pmCall to order 6pm by Leigh Murray, Supervisor
Pledge of Allegiance
Prayer – Roberta Murray
Roll call: Leigh Murray-Supervisor, Brent Dietrich-Trustee, Tarin Minkel-Trustee and Judy Spring, Clerk are present. Treasurer- vacancy
Approval of minutes- March 19 and March 24 minutes – Tarin Minkel moves to approve, Judy Spring 2nd, motion carries with unanimous voice vote. March 27, correct by adding there was a
Motion and voice vote to submit meeting minutes to remove treasurer’s name from bank accounts, voice vote passes unanimously
Agenda Approval, Tarin Minkel moves to approve, Brent Dietrich 2nd, voice vote unanimous, motion carries
Supervisor comments- None
Public comments – Josh Herzog asked if the generators are being monitored
Department/Committee Reports:
Fire-report read by Leigh Murray, Zoning- report read by Leigh Murray, cemetery- report read by Leigh Murray, Planning Commission-BJ Cogswell gave the report, Public Hearing, May 6, Scott Chandler-Townline Lake project, new requests, April 28, 2025-ABA meeting regarding Lanny Vanderveen. PC asking about doing a survey of township for Master Plan. County updates-Matt Murray-See the Montcalm County Utube and watch the 4/14 meeting. Murray spoke mainly on issues with the number of sheriff deputies in the county, currently at 11, approved number is 26. County working on what issues and corrections might solve the problem. Special School Election is May 6, 2025, only 1 item on ballot for each of Montabella and Lakeview Schools. See the Belvidere Township website for sample ballots or stop by the office. PLEASE VOTE
New Business:
Interviews for Campground Mgr., interviewed two candidates, special meeting to discuss and vote by end of week. Treasurer position will remain open till filled. Reset website info, put ad in next two Saturdays-Greenville News and next two printing of the Lakeview News. Spring Cleanup, May 10, 2025. Safe Deposit Box, two names are required-board voted unanimously to add Brent Dietrich to the bank information. Townline Lake survey is complete, working forward.
Board comments: Brent Dietrich has complaint of not getting what he needs to do a good job. Computer was late, still has no keys. Tarin Minkel brought road contracts for signatures. Hillman Road work to begin week of April 28th.
April 16, 2025 js
Public comment: Mark Anderson- special election would be to appoint a treasurer if Belvidere Township has not been able to do so. He is still working on policy/procedures, get rid of township sole source information situation. He will be sending FOIA’s very soon. Wants to see sample ballot on website. Send sample to Tarin Minkel to upload to website.
Sandy Gomes-township needs to encourage teens and more people to use the park. Township needs to get things for teens to keep them here.
Planning Commission-meeting May 6, 2025 at 6pm
Board Meeting May 20, 2025 at 6pm
Coffee with the Supervisor, April 17, 2025 5pm to 8pm
Saturday Clerks hours – April 26, 10am to 1pm
Election May 6, 2025 Township Hall 7am to 8pm
Meeting adjourned by Leigh Murray at 7:15pm
Leigh Murray, Supervisor Judy Spring, Clerk
Belvidere Township Special Meeting Minutes
April 30, 2025 - 11:34 amBelvidere Township Special Meeting Minutes
April 18, 2025
Call to order 3:30 pm
Pledge
Prayer
Roll Call: Brent Dietrich-Trustee, Tarin Minkel-Trustee, Leigh Murray-Supervisor, Judy Spring-Clerk, all present
Public Comments: None
Agenda Approval: Tarin Minkel, moved to add the Assessor to the agenda, Brent Dietrich 2nd. Voice vote is unanimous and motion passes.
New Business: Leigh Murray motions to hire Gary Croff as park manager, Brent Dietrich 2nd, voice vote is unanimous and the motion passes. Shirley Wilkens will assist Gary with computer, Brent Dietrich motions to change manager pay to $1900 per month and give Shirley $100 per month to assist. Tarin Minkel 2nd’s. Voice vote is unanimous, motion passes.
Treasurer Interviews: Yolanda Lane and Nancy Snyder applied in last 24 hours. Leigh Murray wants to hold interviews today and vote to place a treasurer. We have till May 16th, before a special election has to be scheduled. After discussion it is decided to hold a special meeting on May 7th.
Assessor: Assessor reached out to board with no responses, Tarin Minkel wants to schedule an assessing Q&A with assessor(s) Tarin Minkel will reach out to assessor for best date to hold evening meeting with them.
Public comments: Mark Anderson, keep same philosophy for treasurer’s deputy pay etc. as precedent of Clerk’s deputy. Nancy Snyder asks if final budget is on website. Leigh Murray to send final copy of 2025-26 budget to Tarin Minkel to upload. New park manager Gary wants gas and paint to begin work at park. Brent will take care of getting those items. Tarin Minkel asked to review and determine Treasurers actual duties as past duties have not been according to statutory duties and we need to make changes before we elect new treasurer so they understand what they are actually agreeing to as well as the office hours the board is expecting. ARPA account needs to be addressed. Board agreed to discuss and determine at May 7th meeting prior to interviews.
Meeting adjourned at 3:55 by Leigh Murray, Supervisor
BELVIDERE TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION
May 14, 2025 - 4:02 pmNOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
BELVIDERE TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION
The Belvidere Township Planning Commission will conduct a meeting on
June 10, 2025 at 6 pm
At the Belvidere Township Offices, 107 Vesta Street, Six Lakes, MI 48886
The Belvidere Township Planning Commission meeting will be held for the Township Blight Ordinance along with the regularly scheduled monthly meeting.
This notice is posted in compliance with PA 267 of 1976 as amended (Open Meetings Act) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and published in compliance with the Michigan Enabling Act, 2006 P.A. 110
INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES REQUIRING AUXILIARY AIDS OR SERVICES WHO ARE PLANNING TO ATTEND THE HEARING SHOULD NOTIFY THE TOWNSHIP CLERK AT (989) 365-3783 IN ADVANCE WITHIN 5 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THE HEARING
Judith Spring, Clerk
Belvidere Township, MI
989-365-3783
May 20, 2025
Tamarack District Library
May 21, 2025 - 3:27 pmBelvidere Minutes May 20, 2025
June 4, 2025 - 4:13 pmBELVIDERE TOWNSHIP MONTHLY MEETING MAY 20, 2025
Call to order 6pm
Pledge of Allegiance
Prayer
Roll Call Brent Dietrich-Trustee, Judy Spring-Clerk, Leigh Murray-Supervisor, Tarin Minkel-Trustee, Yolanda Lane-Treasurer – All present
New Treasurer, Yolanda Lane introduces new Deputy Treasurer, Susan Ingersoll
Public Comments- Pat Stuller-asked to have the flags at front of room moved around. Sandy Gomes-asked if we could use people who need community service hours to clean up area behind township building. Can a porta potty be placed back there? Noted she has asked multiple times. Eric VanHouten- Memorial Day service at Hillcrest Cemetery, 10:30 am, Monday, May 26, 2025. Rick Outman & Leigh Murray speakers. Flags on pole-tattered, need flags on some service members graves.
Approval of minutes- 4/15 motion to approve with correction Tarin Minkel, 2nd Brent Dietrich. 4/18 motion to approve Leigh Murray, 2nd Judy Spring, 5/13 Motion to approve with correction, Leigh Murray, 2nd Brent Dietrich
Voice vote unanimous, all motions pass
Agenda Approval- Leigh Murray motion to accept, Brent Dietrich, 2nd, voice vote unanimous, motion passes
Department/Committee Reports- Fire- 4 grass fires, one shared grass fire with Cato Township. Zoning- permits approved, violation issued and violation on Killdeer is now compliant. Cemetery- 1 full burial, 2 lots sold, 3 foundations ordered. Campground- April/May to date earnings $6,155. Planning Commission- Public Hearing on Blight ordinance on June 10, 2025.
Monthly Expenses to be paid $70,747.37. Tarin Minkel asked if there is enough money in the general fund at the beginning of the new fiscal year 2025.
Yolanda will transfer tomorrow morning before checks are sent. Yolanda Lane moves to approve payment of bills, Tarin Minkel 2nd. Unanimous voice vote, motion passes.
New Business-
Trash Day, super success with only 3 volunteers. 111 + residents brought trash, some twice. 29 tons of trash hauled away. Resident asked if we could have a clean up after the trash day. Nails, paper etc. left at site.
Dizzy Days- Fireworks, Tarin Minkel moves to have the township pay $4,000 towards the fireworks display, Judy Spring 2nd. Voice vote is unanimous, motion passes.
Community Federal Credit Union- Tarin Minkel moves to delete all existing names on the accounts at Community First Federal Credit Union EXCEPT Judy Springs and then add Yolanda Lane to all CFFCU accounts, 2nd by Brent Dietrich. voice vote unanimous, motion passes.
Zoning ordinance-Tarin Minkel moves to adopt the newly revised zoning ordinance as recommended by the planning commission. Roll call vote-Tarin Minkel, yes, Yolanda Lane, yes, Judy Spring, yes, Leigh Murray, yes, Brent Dietrich, yes. Motion passes unanimously.
Blight Enforcement- 6/10/25 Public Hearing, BJ Cogswell says there could be an addition if the recommendation for condemned housing is done by the public hearing. Tarin Minkel suggests the enforcement should be handled by an off-duty police officer if we can get one due to heightened emotions,
violations and confrontations. Township needs to have a job description, # of hours to work. Judy Spring agrees we need an officer due to possible dangers. Discussion will continue at June meeting on this topic.
Old Business –
Townline Lake-waiting for Jordan Rasmussen, attorney, to set up meeting Horseshoe Lake- 62 signed petition for weed control, 9 signatures not valid. County Drain Commission looking into this.
Board Comments – Tarin Minkel asked where the following items stand now: GComm lease- Jordan working on it, Trash audit- Jamie at Granger doesn’t have it scheduled. Tarin states we need to know soon so we know what to do with the monies currently in the account. Damaged Tree at the campground- getting quote, IRS letter on civil penalty of $8700 From 2022. Other docs have been found-no resolution yet. Inventory of Isabella Bank security box- Leigh to send copy to Tarin. Drafting Policies/procedures-Leigh waiting for the new treasurer to take office Planning Commission vacancy- discuss at June meeting, ZBA vacancy- discussion at June meeting. Website-Tarin is the only
one trained to use it. BS&A- still need to do budget adjustments from 24-25. ARPA report- Leigh supposed to talk to Forrest, 4/28 minutes show final SAM report needed/not done.
Judy read resignation letter from Andy Reynolds. Minkel moves not to accept resignation letter and to have a sit down discussion between Township Board members and maintenance person. 2nd by Spring. Voice vote 3 yes, 2 no.
Motion passes.
Public Comments-Nancy Snyder- boat launch, Townline Lake-Brent Dietrich says gravel will be done after Memorial Day but before the next meeting.
Wants budget to actual, when BS&A fixes problem. Mark Anderson- concerns on items not being on agenda, blight enforcement, don’t look for trouble, written complaints only, Foster Swift payment, why over $9,000. Eric Van Houghten- commercial garbage is different from residential. Contract needs to be more equitable. Township needs to take hard look at cost, with the new blight ordinance we may not need a garbage contract. Sandy Gomes- need to have a list for residents of what can be disposed of, if not where they can take it. Gary- Campground Mgr., need to make site costs the same at $35 for 30 amp & 50 amp service because they pull the same amount of electricity. Tents should be $25, monthly rental should be $750. Brent Dietrich motions to change fees as Gary recommended. Tarin Minkel 2nd. Voice vote-passes unanimously. Dave Kelsey- blight enforcement not as dangerous as zoning violations.
Adjourned 7:04 pm
Leigh Murray, Supervisor Judy Spring, Clerk
Belvidere Township Refuse Ordinance
June 25, 2025 - 11:56 amUpcoming Events
Classifieds
Storage Available
Fountain’s Storage – 2 locations ready for your storage needs in Lakeview, 8797 Tamarack Road and 9287 M-46. Call: (989) 352-8074.
Classified Ads
Classified Ads cost $10 for the first week and $5 each additional week as long as there is no changes to the ad. The ad is due the Monday before the Thursday edition of the newspaper. Lost and found pet ads are free. Please send Classified Ads by e-mail: lannewsroom@nullgmail.com.
Attention Crafter;
New Life UMC, 6584 Howard City Edmore Rd, Six Lakes MI. Is hosting a Craft Show, October 10th & 11th,(10am to 4pm) Venders are needed. Call for more information. Linda Peterson: 989-814-0691, or, crrtptcth@nullgmail.com, Carol Enyart: 989-818-2631,or, carent55@nullyahoo.com Church:989=352=7788, or, www.newlifeunitedmethodist.com
Garlic Soon
Green Meadows will have fresh garlic soon; watch for future notice. 8951 3 Mile Rd, Lakeview
About the Lakeview Area News
Dick Boomer started the Lakeview Area News in 2006 with his granddaughter Dana Keilholtz. They started the process in January 2006 and the first issue came out March 9, 2006. The original address for the newspaper was 318 S. Lincoln Avenue in downtown Lakeview, Michigan. Dana started doing production and layout and advertising design. Rich Boomer (Dick’s son) and Kim Boomer (Dick’s daughter-in-law, the wife of his other son, Chris) were the first advertising sales persons. Dick Boomer handled the finances.
The first week in April 2006, just four weeks after the first newspaper was published, Linda Huckins started writing for the newspaper. Linda was transplanted from out east with a journalism degree and lots of newspaper and magazine experience. “My dream has always been to open a small-town newspaper, but I didn’t have the capital,” she said. “When I walked into the Lakeview Area News office, I knew I was home. Working there was the next best thing.” That same week, there was a death in the Keilholtz family. Linda volunteered to cover the front desk at the office so Dana and Dick could attend the funeral, and she has been with the newspaper ever since.
Dana needed some time off to help her husband grieve and Linda agreed to fill in. After a few weeks, there was a shift in responsibilities. Linda took over production and layout and handled editorial issues and writers as well as doing some of the writing herself. Rich and Kim had to leave the newspaper because of other obligations, so Dana then concentrated on selling and designing ads. As the paper grew in popularity, the job became too big for Dana to handle alone. Lisa Jensen took over some of the ad design responsibilities and Pam Hufford came on board as a sales person. The 29” broadsheet design was too large and cumbersome. It was decided to switch to a smaller 25” size, which most local newspapers use. At the same time, they switched printers to Pioneer Press in Big Rapids.
Robin Ward came to work for the newspaper when Dick Boomer owned the paper and she stayed on working for Dana and Linda. Robin put in many long hours proofing and editing the paper as well as performing layout duties. It was during those years that she developed the Ruffs by Rosco column expressing the world through the eyes of her faithful dog, Rosco. Robin still writes that column, and it is one of the newspaper’s most popular features. Our many thanks to Robin for her dedication and support of our newspaper.
Within a year, the newspaper expanded coverage into Six Lakes, Remus, Blanchard, Edmore, Howard City, Amble, Stanton, Sheridan, and other areas surrounding Lakeview.
The response has been overwhelming. Several local people wrote weekly or bi-monthly columns, others willingly submitted articles on a regular basis, and others submitted story ideas.
In October 2007, Dana and Linda bought Dick out and took over the newspaper as partners. The newspaper then became the Lakeview Area News, LLC. They continued running the paper until February 2010 when Dana bowed out and Linda became sole owner. By this time, Pam Hufford no longer worked for the paper. Two other ad representatives joined the staff – Julie Camp and Kristina Marsh. Linda hired other office and layout staff as well. Two are still working at the newspaper – Sandy Dean, who is office/billing manager and ad designer, and Kelly Wright, who is layout editor.
In September 2011, Linda sold the newspaper to the current owners, Gerald (Jake) Kinsey and Charlene Kinsey. The name stayed the same, except it no longer is an LLC. Linda stayed on as Managing Editor for a couple years to run the day-to-day operations, and the Kinseys handle the business end. Linda retired in 2014, but she continues to write articles and helps in other ways. The first issue under the Kinseys’ leadership came out September 15, 2011. Shortly after buying the newspaper the Kinseys started renting their current office space in the Lakeview Family Chiropractors building at 960 S. Lincoln Ave in Lakeview.