Did you miss the December Board meetings? You can view the recordings online anytime. Upcoming meeting dates & agendas for Board and Committee meetings are also available online. | |
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At the December Board meeting, the Township Board was presented a draft of the Five Year Parks and Recreation Master Plan, as compiled by the VIRIDIS Design Group and based on community needs and survey feedback.
Community members are invited to attend a public hearing at the January 24 Board meeting where they will be able to share their feedback in person prior to the plan's adoption and submission to the DNR. The plan allows the Township to apply for different grant opportunities to improve parks in the Township.
Print copies are available to view at the Township Office and Library. Written comments may be provided in person or mailed to Georgetown Charter Township, c/o Justin Stadt 1515 Baldwin St, Jenison, MI 49429. Comments may be emailed to Justin Stadt: jstadt@georgetown-mi.gov
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Georgetown Township is pleased to be able to offer so many valuable services at the lowest tax rate in the area. Whether you have visited the Georgetown Library or GT Connections for a fun event, taken your family to a park, voted in a recent election, or utilized emergency services, your tax dollars have been at work. | |
Georgetown Township collects taxes that are then disbursed to Ottawa County, local public schools, and the Township itself. The chart to the right shows where those tax dollars go. | |
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NEW FIRE CHIEF ANNOUNCED
Township administration has announced that Matt DeWitt has been appointed to serve as Georgetown Township’s new Fire Chief. DeWitt has served Georgetown Township for over 31 years, most recently as Interim Fire Chief.
Matt has dedicated his career to serving the residents of Georgetown Township. He began in the Department as an on-call Firefighter in 1992 and has gone on to serve in various other capacities, moving up to the status of Captain and Fire Inspector. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated leadership and hands-on expertise in fire prevention, emergency management, training facilitation, and station maintenance. His passion for fire prevention education has led to increased collaborations with other area fire departments and outreach initiatives with local businesses and educational facilities.
Matt is a longtime resident of the Township and a respected leader in the Fire and Emergency Service community,” said Township Superintendent Rob Blitchok. “His extensive involvement in and dedication to this community make him the right choice to serve as our next Chief.”
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Township officials voted recently to approve the bidding of a new 20,000 square foot DPW building at a cost not to exceed $3.9 million. The project came as a recommendation from the Utilities Committee following an independent needs assessment study conducted in 2022.
The current building, built in 1980, has received four renovations over the years, but can no longer keep pace with the growing needs of a population that has doubled in size since its original construction. With increased storage capacity for DPW vehicles, equipment, supplies, and staff, the new facility will ensure that DPW staff are able to provide the most efficient services to residents and businesses.
Other departments including the Fire Department will benefit as well. Citing better access to water supply and greater efficiency in responding to emergencies, Fire Chief Matt DeWitt said in a letter to the Board that construction of the building would “not only enhance the water department’s infrastructure, but also make a vital investment in public safety.” Funds from the water and sewer account will pay for construction, meaning that no tax dollars will be used for this project. The earliest start date for the project will be August 2024 with a tentative completion date of May 2025.
For more information, check out this Info sheet.
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Georgetown residents will see an increase in water and sewer rates starting January 2024. The increase comes as a recommendation based on an independent rate study conducted by Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors. The study, presented to the Board in September, examined the current rates, necessary current and future maintenance, and capital improvement needs. To meet these needs, the Board approved the recommended increase of $3.70 to the Ready-to-Serve quarterly charge and an increase of $0.85 (per 1,000 gallons) to the monthly Consumption charge. The sewer rate had an increase of $3.50 to the Ready-to-Serve quarterly charge and an increase of $1.30 (per 1,000 gallons) to the monthly Consumption charge. The new rate would mean an additional monthly cost of approximately $5 for an average household.
Georgetown Township purchases water from the City of Wyoming and sewage treatment services from the City of Grandville. Despite rising costs and rate increases in neighboring communities, Georgetown residents have not seen a rate increase since 2017. However, with ongoing maintenance costs and necessary structural upgrades, absorbing these cost increases is no longer feasible. “The DPW is proud to be able to provide these essential services at what continues to be the lowest cost in the area,” said Department of Public Works Supervisor Joel Hanenburg. “This increase will help us to continue providing the same high-quality services while ensuring that critical infrastructure is properly maintained and our community’s needs continue to be met.”
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Did you know that the library offers book groups, movies, exercise classes, craft groups (and more!) for various ages? Below are just a few of the upcoming programs. Please visit our Events Calendar for a full listing.
1/2-2/29 Adult Winter Reading Challenge: Join us for Winter Reading Bingo. To play, read or listen to books corresponding with the bingo squares. Read 4-6 books per bingo. Bingos 1, 2, 3, and 4 earn a small prize. Want to play more? Read all 32 books to get entered into the grand prize drawing for a $50 Meijer Gift Card.
1/8: OAISD Play N Learn (10AM & 11:15AM): Designed for families with children ages birth to 5 years old. Monthly sessions are based on a children's book, with a story, finger plays, crafts, and activities centered around the book. Each family receives a children's book to take home. Child development and reading readiness information are also available for parents. No pre-registration required.
Virtual January Series: Want to enjoy Calvin's January Series without driving to Grand Rapids? The Library will be streaming the 15-day award-winning lecture series each day at 12:30PM. Visit the schedule for more information.
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JENISON HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION | |
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Are you 55 or older? Be sure to check out Georgetown Connections! Cost is just $15 for Georgetown Township residents and $35 for non-residents. GT Connections Transportation is meeting the transportation needs of those living in the Township who are at least age 55 and/or have a disability.
1/11: Memory Strategies with Sarah (12:30PM): Many of us have challenges with memory as we age. Come hear Sarah Hall, a retired Speech-language pathologist, share some memory strategies to keep us all functioning at our best. Important for folks of any age, you won’t want to miss this! FREE
1/12: Red Glasses Takeover (1PM): The Red Glasses Movement was started in honor of a 5-year-old girl, Audrey Jandernoa, who passed away in 2018. Audrey was born with Down Syndrome and a congenital heart defect, but these conditions did not define her. She had a contagious smile and a zest for life unmatched by most. She loved indiscriminately and was a shining example of kindness, love, and courage. The Red Glasses Movement is an effort to inspire the world to live boldly, love big, and pass it on. Come and hear more about how to join the cause of spreading this mission to our community! $2
1/30: The Good Old Days: What is It? Where is That From? (12:30PM): Allegan County Historical Society member Mark Lovett will pass around artifacts from "olden days” and quiz the audience on the origins of such popular phrases as “penny for your thoughts.” Join your friends at GT Connections for this fun, informative event! $3
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FROM THE ASSESSING DEPARTMENT | |
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Personal Property is not physical real estate (buildings or land), but refers instead to the assets (e.g. furniture, equipment, electronics, etc…) owned or leased by a business that operates in Georgetown Township. The Township will mail the 2024 Personal Property forms to businesses. The State of Michigan requires that business owners file these forms with the Township. If you operate a business within Georgetown Township limits, please watch for these documents! Be sure to file any and all paperwork with us before the due date in February.
Many business owners qualify for the Small Business Property Tax Exemption. However, the exemption can only be granted if you are eligible for it and apply for it. The State of Michigan is very particular about the exemption form and if it is sent to us incomplete, we cannot grant the exemption. The 2024 exemption form will be available starting in January. Please contact the assessing department if you have any questions regarding business Personal Property or the forms. Accountants are also an extremely helpful resource for business owners trying to navigate tax forms.
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Help keep Georgetown safe by clearing snow from fire hydrants. In an emergency, every second counts. Fire hydrants that are blocked, concealed, or difficult to access due to snow or ice can and will impede emergency fire response. In addition to removing snow and debris covering the hydrant itself, the Fire Department recommends clearing a 3 foot area around the hydrant to ensure the best access. | |
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Ottawa County Road Commission crews prioritize plowing in this order:
- State Trunklines (i.e. I-96, I-196, etc.)
- Multi-lane Primary Roads
- Primary Roads
- Local Paved Roads
- Subdivision Streets
- Local Gravel Roads
- Dead End Streets & Cul-de-sacs
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EARLY VOTING CENTERS SET TO OPEN
Ottawa County voters will have additional options for casting their ballot in state and federal elections coming up in 2024, beginning with the Presidential Preference Primary in February. In September 2023, the Board of Commissioners approved a plan presented by Ottawa County Clerk Justin Roebuck in collaboration with 23 City and Township Clerks to collectively implement early voting.
Proposal 2022-2, which passed in November of 2022, amended the Michigan Constitution to provide the right to a minimum 9-day period of early voting prior to every state or federal election. The constitutional amendment places the responsibility of funding and operating early voting on city and township clerks across the state, but allows for collaborative agreements between municipal and county clerks for the conduct of early voting.
The County Clerk’s Office as well as all local jurisdictional clerks are working hard to ensure that Ottawa County residents have a secure, cost-effective, and customer-friendly early voting process.
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Early voting will be conducted at four vote center locations across the County, where any resident may cast a ballot at any of these voting centers. These locations will be:
- Polkton Township Hall: 6900 Arthur St., Coopersville
- Georgetown Township Hall: 1515 Baldwin St., Jenison
- Grand Haven Township Hall: 13300 168th Ave., Grand Haven
- MDHHS Building Macatawa Room: 12185 James St., Holland
Voters will have nine additional days prior to each state and federal election where they may cast their ballot just as they would on Election Day. The hours of operation for Ottawa County’s Early Voting Centers will be:
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- Saturday (2/17): 7AM-3PM
- Sunday (2/18): 7AM-3PM
- Monday (2/19): 7AM-3PM
- Tuesday (2/20): 11AM-7PM
- Wednesday (2/21): 7AM-3PM
- Thursday (2/22): 11AM-7PM
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- Friday (2/23): 7AM-3PM
- Saturday (2/24): 7AM-3PM
- Sunday (2/25): 7AM-3PM
- Monday (2/26): No Voting
- Tuesday (2/27): Election Day. Vote at your precinct location: 7AM-8PM
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Georgetown Township now has three Absentee Ballot drop boxes that are available 24/7 for each election beginning with the Presidential Primary Election, which is on February 27, 2024. The locations of each drop box are as follows:
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Georgetown Township Office (1515 Baldwin Street)
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Fire Station # 1 (1415 44th St.)
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Fire Station #3 (7480 36th Ave)
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THANK YOU to the following Township staff who reached a milestone in service to the community in 2023: | |
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5 YEARS
Linda Healy
Brittany Nuland
Les Van Wyk
10 YEARS
Pam Burkholder
Thomas Keillor
Jeanne Knol
Richard Nawrocki
Grace Tiffany
Kim Veldkamp
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15 YEARS
Frances Godley
Nicki Johnson
Deb Kadzban
20 YEARS
Jill Skelley
25 YEARS
Rod Deemter
Joel Hanenburg
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