MONTAGUE — Tuesday's meeting of the Montague Township Board of Trustees saw the continuation of dialogue between the board, Soul Fire Forest Farm and neighbors during public comment. As was the topic of discussion in October, Soul Fire Forest is seeking avenues with the township that would allow for small and start-up farms to receive supplemental income through short-term stays and agritourism.
Farm residents provided the board with a packet of information regarding research into other Michigan ordinances that allow for what they are seeking. In their comment, Soul Fire Forest also cited the cost of housing and rising food insecurity as reasons to remove barriers for farmers to grow and purchase local produce for the community.
“This isn’t something that needs to be created from scratch,” said one resident of the farm, “There’s already a lot of examples.”
Continued the same commenter, “Rather than standing by and watching these problems grow, what if Montague became a positive example of a community working together to address them?... We’re not asking to get rid of any regulations, we’re asking how we as a community can come together to create reasonable regulations that would make these activities legally possible?”
As before, Soul Fire Forest farmers spoke of their willingness to work with the township towards their goal of a set of ordinance initiatives that allow for a greater variety of economic opportunities and housing options for small, local farmers, without sacrificing the township’s rural charm. This was a sentiment echoed by Supervisor Jeff King, who expressed wanting to work through the ordinance issues related to the farm to find a reasonable solution for all parties involved.
Also at public comment were neighbors to the farm, citing their concerns for the practical applications of Soul Fire Farms agro-tourism desires. One neighbor, a family member of the residents in question, brought up interpersonal disputes regarding property lines and visitor trespassing. The neighbor also requested that any forward momentum regarding possible ordinances be public knowledge, which King assured is always the case with the planning commission.
Other residents asked if a property such as this would be antithetical to the beauty and quiet of the township, others raised worries over the visitors and temporary workers the farm would attract. In response, Soul Fire Forest farmers assured residents that “we want to help create reasonable rules that allow more people to grow food, teach skills, share resources and support one another, while respecting neighboring properties and public safety.”
The township approved a quote for $3,215 to purchase reflectors for signs at 22 separate intersections within the township, with installation of said reflectors to be done personally by King and Trustee Jay Goodrich. Also approved was an adjusted quote for a further $5,600 worth of tree trimming and stump grinding at Montague Township Park, bringing the total quote from R&S Tree Services to $6,800.
The recent general election had, by the estimates of Clerk Drew Roesler, the largest voter turnout from the township in recent memory, with over 800 ballots cast. Election workers were in attendance at the township hall for 16 hours, with Roesler praising their work and the board considering the purchase of a larger ballot drop box.
