MONTAGUE — The White River Township Board confirmed during its Tuesday, July 14 meeting that Geronimo Power's application with the Michigan Public Services Commission is under review, with a hearing slated for Thursday, Sept. 3.
Geronimo's subsidiary, Lakeside Solar, is seeking approval from the MPSC to construct a 1,575-acre solar energy facility in the township. The township's planning commission conditionally approved Lakeside Solar's application in January, but the conditions would limit the size and output of the facility and include building only in the township's Renewable Energy District, largely composed of Chemours land. Public Act 233 gives the company the right to appeal local zoning decisions to the MPSC if they are deemed more restrictive than those of Michigan's. The company has previously released an alternative site analysis explaining why it believes the Renewable Energy District is not feasible for building its planned facility.
Township Supervisor Ron Bailey said any property owner within a mile of the proposed facility grounds would be receiving a letter in the mail informing them of the hearing and offering the chance to submit a comment. Lakeside Solar representative Kendra Harrington noted during public comment that the company's project website, geronimopower.com/in-development/lakeside-solar-storage-project also includes a link, which reads "Public Service Commission Docket," allowing the public to submit comments to the MPSC.
Planning Commission Chair Lauren Wackernagel informed residents during the meeting that federal relief funds have been approved for Muskegon County residents affected by the floods and severe storms in the area that took place in April. Those seeking assistance can visit disasterassistance.gov or contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Wackernagel said residents have through Aug. 31 to apply for disaster relief.
In regular township business, the board introduced Cheri Nelles as the new deputy clerk, and also approved her as an election inspector for the Aug. 4 primary election. Also on the topic of the election, Township Clerk Julie Goericke said voters who have already submitted an absentee ballot which included a vote for a candidate who has since dropped out of the race are permitted to come to the township hall and update their ballots.
The board unanimously approved a maximum outlay of $5,800 for the purchase, delivery and installation of a storage shed, which will be used to store recently purchased road signs. Bailey reported that the cost to have a shed delivered and installed was just over $5,100, though adding a dolomite base may add a few hundred dollars to the project cost.
The board also approved the purchase of additional road signs for a maximum cost of $1,000. A previous authorization paid for 15 road signs and 2 welcome signs for the township, but more welcome signs are needed, as well as end-of-street signs for Eilers and Hancock roads, as they lead to Lake Michigan.
The board approved a $750 donation to the White Lake Association after the organization requested funds from White River and other municipalities earlier this year. Treasurer Mary Kriesel said the City of Montague was donating $1,000 to the WLA and that Montague Township had contributed $750. The WLA, Kriesel said, has received grants for new hardware for its smart buoy, enabling it to measure the effect of natural waves compared to waves caused by boats on the lake, and it will also be able to spot-test algae for toxicity.
