There was a large turn-out with a few hundred people for the dedication ceremony of Schmidt Heritage Park on June 28th. 

The next improvements to Schmidt Heritage Park include two (2) Basketball Courts and a Pavilion near the entrance – which are proposed for the FY2024 budget.

The public is reminded that No Bikes are allowed on the JoJo Jogging Trail and that the sports fields will need a full growing season before the turf is ready for any play or athletic competition. 

Standard and Poor′s Global Ratings assigned a ′AA′ rating to the Township′s 2023 Fire/Rescue station bonds. In explaining the ′AA′ rating, S&P Global stated, “The rating reflects our opinion of the Township′s strong managerial team … Management′s conservative budgeting; increasing property tax revenue; and state-shared sales tax revenue underpins financial strength, with the latter increasing due to population growth.”

This strong bond rating led to an exceptional bond sale with nine (9) bidders on the bonds and a winning bid offering a premium of over $431k and a TIC (True Interest Cost) of 3.6989%.

The number of bidders for a small bond offering from a small community exceeded↑ expectations and the interest rate was below↓ expectation. (The bond resolution was based on an estimated interest rate of 4.5% -- therefore, the actual TIC of 3.6989% is about 17.75% below↓ the financial projection provided last January when the bond resolution was approved.) Because of the high premium offered, the actual bond was reduced↓ from $12,360,000 to $12,025,000 – while the final amount received by the Township will be $12,456,191 (which includes the premium minus the costs of issuance).

The winning bidder – TD Securities, New York – has provided a one percent “good faith” deposit to the Township … and the closing on the bond sale is scheduled for July 19th.

The Township Treasurer and staff will “ladder” the investment of the bond monies based upon the expected expenditure of monies for the design and construction of the Fire/Rescue Station to maximize the interest return over the next fifteen (15) months.

Twelve (12) teens participated in a week-long program called Team 911 Academy, which is designed to immerse participants into the public safety career fields. 

Team 911 Academy is hosted by Grand Haven Charter Township Fire/Rescue and operated in partnership with the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office. 

Throughout the week, participants were challenged physically and mentally in a variety of tasks including vehicle extrication, repelling, traffic stops, defensive tactics, searching with an SCBA, SCUBA diving, and much more. Additionally, the teens visited U.S. Coast Guard Station Grand Haven, Ottawa County Central Dispatch, and the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office. 

This program helps the participants learn and experience the job before they graduate high school so they can make informed decisions on their future career goals.

Throughout the week-long academy, participants encountered over thirty members from various public safety agencies.

The Ottawa County Road Commission (OCRC) Board adopted a new “Sign Upgrade” policy – as such, the OCRC staff have reconsidered the crash history at the 152nd Avenue / Ferris Street intersection and will install a red flashing beacon above the right side stop sign for eastbound traffic on Ferris Street at 152nd Avenue.

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. Unfortunately, some of these pockets include the Hofma Park and Preserve and nearby subdivisions.

Moreover, even if the State of Michigan or Ottawa County were still funding the aerial spraying for the spongy moth caterpillars, it is too late for the spraying of Bt to be effective. 

Most of the damage will be complete early July and the caterpillars will soon spin their red/brown cocoons which will hatch in late-July to early August. The moths will live only for a few days.

The State of Michigan notes that oaks or other hardwood trees that are defoliated by spongy moth caterpillars may look as if the trees are dead. However, these trees will “re-flush” and produce a second set of leaf buds, usually by late July. This second set of leaves will provide enough energy for the tree to survive winter. Severe defoliation does stress the tree, but trees can tolerate even complete defoliation for a few years.

Further, the infestations typically last no more than two years before the population of the spongy moths collapse due to the naturally occurring Bt bacterium – which is one of the reasons why the State of Michigan and Ottawa County discontinued the spraying the Bt bacterium over a decade prior. The last year that the State of Michigan, Ottawa County and Grand Haven Charter Township collaborated on aerial spraying the Bt bacterium was 2012.

That said, because this is the third year some areas have had to deal with the spongy moth infestation – and because of damage to Hofma Preserve – during the budget process, staff will be looking to include the aerial spraying of the Preserve and surrounding neighborhoods in the Spring of 2024. The cost will be $90k+.

Again, there is not a solution to the current infestation. But the caterpillars should be gone within a couple weeks.

If you have specific questions about Township operations, please send an email to bcargo@ght.org .