Hello, Spring Lake Township resident,

The Spring Lake Township Board of Trustees met on Monday, March 11 for our regular monthly board meeting.If you weren’t able to tune in to the meeting, you can watch it on our Facebook page. Here are a few of the items the Board discussed or acted on during the meeting.

Budget hearing

The Board held a public hearing on the budget for the fiscal year 2024-25. The budget serves as a guiding document to determine which projects will be funded throughout the year. Thank you to those who contributed their thoughts and feedback to the budgeting process. Some key items on next year’s budget include several bike path projects, such as closing the bike path gap on 152^nd Avenue, conducting a wage survey to help ensure we retain the great employees who work for Spring Lake Township and allocating American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

To learn more about the proposed 2024-25 budget, visit the township website. We will vote on the budget during our regular Board meeting on Monday, March 25, following the Annual Meeting of the Electors.

Wages

The Board approved a recommended 5% matrix shift on wages along with step increases for Spring Lake Township staff. The wage matrix allows us to consider employees’ performance and the salary ranges for their positions. We also voted to increase the rates for Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals and Board of Review members to $100 per meeting, with an additional $25 for the chair position. We deeply value the amazing folks who work for Spring Lake Township and those who take the time to serve on our boards and commissions. We also accepted the recommendation to complete a wage and benefit survey this fall to prepare for the 2025-26 wage recommendations.

Keeping of ducks

The Board approved multiple zoning ordinance text amendments, including allowing for the keeping of ducks. The language was added to the Zoning Ordinance so ducks may be kept on a lot if the lot is at least 12,000 square feet, which aligns with the Township’s rules on keeping chickens.

As always, if you have questions or feedback, please contact me at my email address below.

Thank you and have a great day!

Jerry Rabideau

Township Supervisor

Supervisor Jerry Rabideau is looking to connect with township residents at upcoming open office hours. Any township resident is welcome to stop by Rabideau’s office at the Township Hall, 101 S. Buchanan St., during his open hours to share ideas, discuss issues or ask questions. Refreshments will be available. 

“One of Spring Lake Township’s goals is to foster increased communication with our residents, and this is just one way of helping our community connect with their local government,” Rabideau said. “I look forward to engaging with community members, discussing township issues and having productive, informal conversations about our amazing community.” 

Upcoming office hours are planned for 4:30-5:30 p.m. on March 19, April 16 and April 30. The office hours, along with the livestreaming of Board meetings, regular updates to the community and other communications, are efforts of Spring Lake Township to increase communication with residents, which was one of the results of a recent community survey. 

Fire Chief John Stalzer introduced new firefighters, and firefighters who have been promoted. From left to right they are:

Jared Fogel - promoted to lieutenant

Fire chief John Stalzer

Dave Hudson - promoted to captain

Amy Reminder - paid on call

Stacy Gould - paid on call

Angela Headley - full time firefighter