Welcome to the electronic newsletter from
Grand Haven Charter Township!

Stay informed on what is happening in the township. This newsletter will deliver up-to-date information including upcoming meetings, development news, Township services and more!

You can always find more information on our website or Facebook.
Wesco Station Approved
The Planning Commission approved the Wesco Service Station at US-31 and Ferris Street. The illustration below is the view from the Southwest drive which will directly access US-31.
Spongy Moths - Update
Spongy moths (formerly called gypsy moths) have declined in most parts of Michigan due to the naturally occurring Bt bacterium. That said, there remain pockets where the infestations are still significant including the Hofma Park and Preserve and nearby subdivisions.

Because this is the third year some areas have had to deal with the spongy moth infestation – and because of damage to Hofma Preserve – the Township Board authorized a $6k contract with Aquatic Consulting Services to conduct a spongy moth egg mass survey to determine what areas should be sprayed with Bt bacterium early next Spring when the caterpillars initially leave their eggs. 
Crime & The Township
In addition to the base level of service provided by the Ottawa County Sheriff, Grand Haven Charter Township funds four (4) additional deputies through contracts with the Sheriff. This program is funded through a ½ mill special assessment approved by the voters in 2006.
Verizon - Water Tower Antennas Activated
Verizon activated the antennas recently installed on the Lincoln Street and 152nd Avenue water tower in early July. Please note that normal cell phone range is less↓ than 2 miles, even less with thick, suburban forested areas. Therefore, if you are more↑ than 2 miles from the water tower, you will not notice any appreciable difference in your level of service from Verizon.
Ferris Street & 152nd Avenue - Stop Sign
The Ottawa County Road Commission installed a blinking red light (solar powered) on top of the east-bound stop sign on Ferris Street at the 152nd Avenue intersection. 

It is expected this will further draw attention to this intersection and prevent drivers from going through the intersection without first coming to a full-stop.

On a related note, the Township Board requested that the State Police complete a “Speed and Engineering” study on 152nd Avenue between Groesbeck and Lincoln Street – the first since 2012.
Art on the Waterfront
Township Taxable Value (TV) to Exceed $1 Billion in 2024
As part of the preparation for Fiscal Year 2024, staff note that the Taxable Value (TV) of the Township has increased↑ by about 8.2% or about $79 million to the current estimate of about $1.04 billion.

About $31 million (or 39%) of this $79 million increase is related to the inflation factor imposed by the State of Michigan, which leaves about $48 million (or 61%) related to other factors – such as new construction, additions, or “uncapping”. (The Township is the second fastest growing community in Ottawa County.)

As noted previously, the Grand Haven Charter Township is the largest community in Northwest Ottawa County in terms of tax base (i.e., plus $1 billion), population (i.e., plus 19,000), and area (i.e., plus 28 square miles).
PFAS and NOWS Water
In June, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) noted that about 75% of rural water and about 25% of urban water tested positive for so-called PFAS chemicals – a group of synthetic chemicals used in a wide variety of common applications that have become known as “forever chemicals” because they do not easily breakdown. This report has received a great deal of press attention and caused several residents to contact the Township with concerns since PFAS chemicals have been found to cause a variety of health issues.

Now for the “Good News” – water from the North Ottawa Water Treatment System (NOWS) continues to test at a “non-detect” level for PFAS chemicals. “Non-detect” of PFAS chemicals are represented by <2.0 parts per trillion (ppt). This “<” symbol is used to express the uncertainty of the actual concentration since the testing results at infinitesimally low levels could be anywhere from 0 to 1.9 ppt. 2 ppt equates to 2 seconds in 32,000 years.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the monthly NOWS PFAS reports or the USGS report on PFAS chemicals, please contact Superintendent Cargo at bcargo@ght.org .

Township Questions?
If you have specific questions about Township operations, please send an email to bcargo@ght.org .
(616) 842-5988  | info@ght.org | www.ght.org