WHITEHALL — The Fruitland Township Board’s regular meeting Monday opened with public comments regarding pathways and speed limits around Duck Lake State Park. The first was a resident of Duck Lake Road coming to the board with questions and concerns over the discussion of a sidewalk on the south side of Duck Lake Road, particularly regarding the approval process among residents, ordinances related to sidewalks and responsibility for maintenance and liabilities.
Another resident complained of cars frequently traveling at high speeds on roads between Nestrom Road and Scenic Drive, expressing concerns for the safety of pedestrians and their pets. Requesting for the board to petition the Muskegon County Road Commission to lower the speed limit, the resident said, “We have complained about this before. We have brought this to the board before about the speed limit and not having enforcement there.”
Prior to the meeting’s adjournment, Supervisor Jeff Marcinkowski addressed the concerns raised at public comment. Regarding the Duck Lake Road sidewalk, he explained that the impetus for the discussion was to ensure a pedestrian and bike connection between the state park and the planned Scenic Drive non-motorized pathway. However, as Marcinkowski put it, “Nothing’s been approved, nothing’s been proposed, nothing’s been decided. It would all be discussed at a meeting sometime here at township hall if it's a good day for all residents to come to it.”
As for the speed limit concerns, Marcinkowski rehashed the many attempts on the part of the township board to lower speed limits throughout Fruitland. The road commission has determined area speed limits based on the engineering of the roads and the number of driveways within a half-mile of road. Specifically recalling the raising of Nestrom Road’s speed limit from 45 to 55 miles per hour (even after a request to lower the limit to 35 mph), Marcinkowski said, “I begged and pleaded and went to everybody that I could to get that changed back to 45, and they would not do it. I’ve asked for stop signs in different locations, I asked for safety lights…I’ve asked for everything in a lot of different locations, because these things come to the township. And I get turned down.”
The newest idea the township is considering to combat excessive speeding are flashing radar signs, but it is unclear whether the road commission will support this implementation.
As for old and new business addressing other resident concerns, the board instructed the township’s ordinance enforcement to follow up on multiple complaints regarding the White Lake Golf Club conducting routine course maintenance during quiet hours prior to 7 a.m. To date, the club has not changed its operations to the township's liking. The board said it will proceed with citations and legal action if the club does not adhere to the noise ordinance.
Also of concern is the crowding of oversized boat trailers at the Scenic Drive boat ramp, which has caused issues for residents along the street. The board is considering implementing clearer signage to discourage inappropriate parking and allow better enforcement of the rules, or possibly instituting annual parking passes for the lot. Marcinkowski will be meeting with affected residents in the future to discuss possibilities.
Fruitland Township also accepted bids on a new township software server, light pole replacement and weir inspection. As the township’s current server, VC3, is discontinuing services. Fruitland is entering into an agreement with Azure Virtual Server following recommendations from VC3. Azure is also compatible with BS&A software, which is used by many local governments. The contract with Azure is priced at $9,621, with a $450 per month hosting fee from Microsoft.
The township will contract with Schulz Land and Water Consulting for inspection of Duck Lake weir for $900, with funds not to exceed $1,300. An inspection of the weir is required every three years by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE).
Replacement of a light pole on Tranquil Trail was awarded to Korthase and Sons for $4,550, the funds of which will be assessed back to residents of the road.
The township board approved a resolution amendment to set a fee, permit and escrow schedule regarding the township’s new ordinance on peddling and solicitation. A one-year solicitation permit will cost $100, with an application fee of $15, which will include a background check. Civil infractions of the ordinance will result in $100, $200 and $500, depending on the number of repeat offenses.
Trustee Chris VanOosterhout said of the implementation of the permits and fines, “It’s an opportunity for us to educate those peddlers, so they are clear and they have no excuse for not understanding our rules."
