Elisabeth Waldon

The Montcalm County Board of Commissioners for the third meeting in a row tabled a request from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes & Energy (EGLE) to install a groundwater monitoring well at Winfield Township’s Krampe Park. The topic has been debated since June, when commissioners approved an agreement with the Michigan Geological Survey through the Kalamazoo-based Western Michigan University Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences to conduct geological studies and research on six county-owned properties this summer. At that same meeting, commissioners tabled a related request from EGLE to use a drilling site created at Krampe Park to create a permanent test well site for the state.

A Pine Township resident is asking Montcalm County to draw what he called "a line in the dirt" against Flock Safety surveillance cameras, arguing the technology amounts to mass surveillance and should never be purchased with taxpayer dollars.

The story of Montcalm County doesn't just live in history books. It's written in careful penmanship in faded ink across thousands of fragile pages dating back to 1850. Now, thanks to a recent preservation project, some of the county's oldest land records have been digitized, protecting them from further wear while making it easier for historians, genealogists and curious property owners to explore the county's past.

What began as a discussion about the Montcalm County clerk's budget quickly turned into a broader conversation about the growing demands of administering elections, as Clerk Kristen Millard warned her office is struggling to keep up with early voting, LEIN responsibilities and an expanding workload. At their first budget workshop in July, the county Board of Commissioners tentatively turned down a request from Millard for new voting equipment for $87,000, a voting equipment service contract for $6,000 and voting software licensing for $3,000.

As Pierson Township defends itself against a lawsuit over a proposed "boat condos" development, its Planning Commission is revisiting and creating a variety of land-use policies, while also navigating an increasingly public divide with its own planning consultant, zoning administrator and, at times, the township board. The Planning Commission met on July 23 for a lengthy meeting, where they covered the topics of blight regulations, whether to allow marijuana stores, accessory dwelling units, ag event barns and short-term rentals. A pending lawsuit related to a recent Planning Commission zoning decision colored much of the discussion.

Pierson Township officials approved a new fire protection contract with Nelson Township at a special meeting on July 27, but acknowledged the decision leaves the township facing a significant funding gap that will likely require a new special assessment on property owners. Kent County’s Nelson Township took over the Sand Lake Fire Department on April 1 after the majority of the Sand Lake Village Council resigned and the newly appointed council unanimously voted on March 27 to sell the Fire Department, with an estimated worth of $500,000, to the township, including all fire trucks and equipment. In return, Nelson Township will provide fire coverage to the village for 10 years, which comes out to a rate of $50,000 per year.

For the second time in two years, voters in the Tri County Area Schools district rejected a non-homestead operating millage that the district needs to continue receiving its full share of state education funding. According to Tuesday's election results, the proposal failed by 678 "no" votes to 618 "yes" votes in Montcalm County, by 365 "no" votes to 278 "yes" votes in Newaygo County and by 111 "no" votes to 96 "yes" votes in Kent County, for a total of 1,154 "no" votes to 992 "yes" votes, a difference of 162 votes.

Voters in six Montcalm County townships overwhelmingly approved millages related to roads, fire and police services in Tuesday’s election.

Less than two weeks after tentatively rejecting Montcalm County Prosecutor Tom Ginster's request to reclassify two employees, commissioners reversed course after Ginster argued staffing shortages have strained his office and contributed to costly mistakes.

A "data services facility" has been proposed for the Frank Deyo Dam in the tiny Mecosta County village of Morley. The Morley Village Council was set to have a meeting on the topic tonight (Monday) and relocated from the village offices to nearby Deerfield Township Hall; however, so many people attended that the meeting was canceled and will be held at another date, possibly at a local school.