Recycling Center Now Available at Brooks Township Hall

Recycling Center Now Available at
Brooks Township Hall
Start collecting recyclables now and do your part for the environment, because starting Saturday May
19, 2001 Brooks Township will have a recycling container for residents to bring in recyclable
materials. This service will be available every third Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. until noon at
the Brooks Township parking lot at 490 Quarterline Rd. Initially, there will be no charge for this
service. Additionally, people are welcome to contact Brooks Township for information on recycling
other materials, such as cardboard or batteries. If you have
any questions please call Chris Haynor at 231-652-6763.
The following items will be accepted:
Newspapers
Tin and Aluminum (lids removed and rinsed out)
Clear glass
No. 2 Plastic (HDP2)
Since last year’s trash day was such a success, we’re doing it again!
WHAT:
WHEN:
WHERE:
COST:
Brooks Township Clean-up Day
Saturday, June 9 from 9am – 3pm
Brooks Township Hall parking lot
Car load $5.00, pickup load $10.00, single axle trailer $10.00
Double axle trailer $25.00, dual wheel truck $25.00
What we will accept:
All old appliances
***Note: Refrigerators MUST have doors removed
Auto parts & engines (with oil removed)
Lawn mowers
Lawn chairs
Sheet metal
Old bicycles
Bed springs & mattresses
Fencing or wood
Plastic & vinyl siding
Furniture and TV’s
Roof material
What we will not accept:
No tires
No gas tanks
No propane tanks
No sealed containers
No paint or hazardous materials*
No compost
No concrete
No batteries*
No household garbage
No car bodies or frames
PROOF OF RESIDENCY IS REQUIRED
-Be Prepared To Unload Your Own Items*Newaygo County will accept these items. Call 689-7225 or see page 3 for more information.
If you’d like to volunteer (and get free lunch) call Chris, Trash Coordinator, at 652-6763 ext. 13.
Spring 2001
www.brookstownship.org
Spring 2001
Spring 1993
www.brookstownship.org
Brooks Township and Adopt-AHighway Need You!
The Brooks Township Board has unanimously voted to
participate in the Michigan Department of Transportation
Adopt-A-Highway program by adopting a section of M-82
between Summer and M-37. Township residents and board
members will pick up this section three times a year, and
anyone who would like to participate is welcome. The first
cleanup date will be Saturday, May 5, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
We’ll meet at the corner of Summer and M-82 for some
doughnuts and juice, and work our way from there. Please call
Chris Haynor at 652-6763 ext. 13 for more information.
The Township Trash Committee has been
diligently looking for trash on our public lands.
We need to identify illegal dump sites so we can
get the trash cleaned up and the sites blocked off.
If you know of any illegal dump sites, please call
Kara or Chris at 652-6763. If you see someone
dumping trash on forest service land, please get a
vehicle plate number and/or description of the
vehicle and report the USFS Baldwin Ranger
Station at 231-745-4631. Please contact Brooks
Township is you would like to participate on the
Trash Committee or be involved with forest
ATTENTION ALL NEWAYGO COUNTY RESIDENTS...Here’s Your Opportunity To
Dispose of Dangerous Household Chemicals for FREE!
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION
The Newaygo County Board of Public Works has arranged for the FREE disposal of your
Household Hazardous Waste at the Newaygo County Road Commission garage on June 9,
2000. Household Hazardous Wastes include all toxic materials, pesticides, automotive fluids,
oil based paint only, and batteries found in your home or garage. Appointments Must Be
Made by calling 231-689-7225. Leave your name and number on voice mail and we will get
back to you to set up your time and to document what type of household waste you have.
Please, this applies to Household hazardous wastes only. Business hazardous wastes will not
be accepted. The cost of this program to the county is approximately $68 per participant, so
any and all donations will be greatly appreciated.
Cindy Sullivan, Chairperson
Newaygo County Board of Public Works
Page 2
Spring 2000
Spring 1993
Muskegon River
Cleanup and Picnic
May 19, 2001
Where: Between Croton Dam and Newaygo
When: Saturday, May 19, 2001, starting at 9:00 a.m.
How are we going to do it?
We’ve divided the river into seven stretches (approximately two miles each). Each section will
have a team leader to coordinate cleanup in that two miles. If you’d like to volunteer, please call
Brooks Township at 652-6763 ext. 26 and we’ll set you up with a team. On the day of the
cleanup, you’ll meet your team at a designated site at 9:00 a.m. Team leaders will have all the
necessary materials. Volunteers will float down the river in their designated stretch and pick up
trash along the way (Wisner’s Canoe Livery will have some canoes and boats available for those
who need them). When we’re done, we’ll have a ”Thank You “ picnic (free food for all those who
volunteer) at Henning Park in Newaygo.
What Do We Need?
Volunteers (Children 16 and under must be accompanied by adult)
People with trucks/trailers to pick up and transport trash following the cleanup/picnic
A few people who would like to help cook/serve food at the picnic
Cell phones for each team - if you have one please bring it in case of emergency
Call Brooks Township at
652-6763 ext. 26 to volunteer.
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Spring 1993
Join us for one or more of these
Prairie stewardship days are scheduled for the
following dates.
Saturday, May 12, 2001;
Friday, May 25, 2001;
Friday, June 8, 2001;
Saturday June 9, 2001;
Saturday, June 22, 2001;
Saturday, June 29, 2001;
10 am - 2 pm
10 am - 2 pm
9 am - 1 pm
9 am - 1 pm
9 am - 1 pm
9 am - 1 pm
Photo: The Nature Conservancy
Prairie Stewardship Days are a fun way to learn about the prairies, meet other people with
similar interests, and do your part to protect rare and valued natural areas. Stewardship days
involve removing invading plant species (particularly Spotted Knapweed), fence repair,
installing signage and tree removal to create more prairie areas. This is a great activity for the
whole family. If you are interested in participating, please call Kara at 652-6763 ext. 26 to
register and get directions to the work sites.
For more information, contact Brooks Township at
231-652-6763 ext. 26 or the volunteer coordinator for
The Nature Conservancy at 517-332-1741.
We Need Your Input - Should NACPRAC Dissolve?
NACPRAC (Newaygo Area Community Parks and Recreation Advisory Council), which consists
of representatives from Brooks and Garfield Townships, the City of Newaygo and Newaygo
Public Schools, is currently responsible for maintaining Henning Park. It is also responsible for
running the swimming program in the summer. Due to lack of participation and the cost of
providing this program there is discussion about eliminating the council. If NACPRAC were
eliminated, the swimming program would be cancelled and one or both ball fieldscould be
eliminated. On the other hand, the county would take over responsibility for the park and
Brooks Township could use the money that currently goes into Henning Park for other park and
recreation projects in the Township. Before the Township takes any action we would like input
from residents. Please give Chris Haynor a call at 652-6763, ext.13 if you have an opinion in
this matter.
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Spring 1993
www.brookstownship.org
Brooks Township Goes Online!
To better serve residents, Brooks Township has
established a website at www.brookstownship.org
We’re working to keep the website constantly up-todate. And, if you have an email address, you can
subscribe to Brooks Township E!News - an
electronic news service that will
periodically provide you with current
township news and events. On the
website you can find upcoming
events, recent news, zoning
information, back issues of
Conservation Corner, Land Use
Vision project information, links and more.
Please check out the website and let us know what
you think. Special thanks to Dan and his team at
Riverside for helping us get the website up and
running.
Township Receives $4,600 DNR Grant
To Restore Wetland Damaged by
Illegal ORV/ATV Use Brooks Township received $4,600 from the Michigan
Department of Natural Resources Off-Road Vehicle
Trail Improvement Fund to conduct a restoration of a
wetland damaged by illegal ORV use. Illegal roads and
trails surrounding the wetland, which is located on US
Forest Service land between M-82 and 88th, will be
blocked off and the area will be reseeded and restored to
its natural conditions. This wetland is particularly
important, as it serves as a water source for wildlife in
this section of forest land. ORV and ATV users are
reminded that it is illegal to ride in wetland areas or in
any manner to create erosive conditions. Residents who
see illegal activity are encouraged to get a description of
the vehicle and contact the USFS Baldwin Ranger
Station at 231-745-4631.
Additionally, anyone who would like to volunteer some
manual labor to complete the restoration project can call
Kara McCrimmon at 652-6763 ext. 26.
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Spring 2001
Township Works With Newaygo
Carnegie Library To Establish
Environmental Resource
Center; Receives $500 grant
from DNR to Purchase
Resources A grant from the Michigan
Department of Natural Resources, with additional
support from funds to the township from the Fremont
Area Community Foundation, have made possible the
beginnings of the Environmental Resource Center at
the Newaygo Carnegie Library. The Environmental
Resource Center is a joint effort of the Library and
Brooks Township, and is a specific goal of the
township’s Land Use Vision Project. The goal of the
Environmental Resource Center is to provide
residents with locally-relevant natural resource
information. Although the Center is still a work in
progress, visitors can expect to find resources on
subjects such as prairie wildflowers and restoration,
lake ecology and do-it-yourself maintenance, wildlife
identification guides and forestry resources. Be sure
to visit the Environmental Resource Center on the
lower level of the Newaygo Carnegie Library.
Spring 2001
Attention Lake
Residents - Learn How
To Protect Your Lake
Lake residents - you will not want to miss out on this
opportunity. MSU Extension and Brooks Township
have been working together to bring you “Protecting
Inland Lakes” - a three part lake class specifically
designed for lake residents. Participants will have
the opportunity to learn about lake ecology,
management and protection from three well-known
inland lakes specialists from Michigan State
University and the MSU Kellogg Biological Station.
Protecting Inland Lakes will be held on the second
through fourth Tuesdays in May (May 8, 15, and 22)
from 6:00 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. at the Newaygo County
Intermediate School District in Fremont.
A
registration fee of $20 covers refreshments and
materials for all three sessions. Space is limited, so
contact the MSU Extension office at 924-0500 to
register.
Hess Lake Yard Sales May 18 and 19
Adopt-A-Stream Workshop
Available On Saturday May 5th from 1:30 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.,
MSU Extension will offer an Adopt-A-Stream
training for all groups and individuals interested in or
currently participating in the program. Adopt-AStream is a program to help residents protect and
improve local streams through cleanups, water quality
monitoring, and restoration projects.
Brooks
Township’s own Land Use Vision Project
Coordinator Kara McCrimmon will be a presenter for
this training. There is no cost for the training - all
materials will be provided. Those interested simply
need to call the Extension office at 924-0500 to
Spring 1993
www.brookstownship.org
River Residents - Send
Us Your Complaints
The township has been receiving numerous
complaints about activities on the river. They
include high speed boats, safety, erosion, noise and
other nuisance issues. The Township Board is
requesting that any resident that witnesses any of
these activities let the township know in writing. We
are currently working with law enforcement officials
and other agencies to try and come up with some
solutions for these problems. Your written input will
help us document the problem and enable us to more
effectively get action on these issues. Your input is
vital in helping us deal with these problems.
NEWS FROM YOUR
PLANNING COMMISSION
In March 2001, the Planning Commission adopted a
new Land Use Master Plan. The plan is based upon
the Brooks Township Land Use Vision and was 16
months in the making.
This project took a
commitment of many hours in addition to a least one
extra commission meeting per month. In the near
future, the plan will be available on the township’s
website, www.brookstownship.org.
Deb Bisel and Ron Koenigsknecht did not seek reappointment to the commission at the expiration of
their term. The township extends a special thanks to
both individuals. Deb was Planning Commission
Secretary and Ron served as Chair during a very
demanding but productive time. Their contribution
will be missed. We are pleased to announce the
appointments of Diane Wykes and Jim Leonard to fill
these vacancies. New officers are Kim Hoyle, Chair;
Mark Pitzer, Secretary; and Rob Aitchison, ViceChair. Brooks Township is fortunate and well served
by a dedicated and capable Planning Commission.
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Spring 1993
www.brookstownship.org
Spring 2001
Would you like to be on the Water Quality
Committee?
Anyone with an interest in water quality is invited
and welcome to join. Call Kara McCrimmon at
652-6763 ext. 26 to get the time of our next meeting.
Who is the Water Quality Committee (WQC)?
Above: WQC members on a tour of Brooks and Hess Lakes.
What has the WQC done?
The Committee has been quite active since it formed last
August. In early October, members went on a watershed
tour of Brooks and Hess Lakes to identify sources of
problems to the lakes and potential solutions. Plus, through
the committee’s efforts, the Brooks Lake Association and
the Hess Lake Improvement Association have signed up to
participate in Michigan Lakes and Streams Association’s
Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program this spring and
summer. Committee members have also been conducting
water monitoring themselves. Newaygo High School
recently lent Brooks Township its spectrophotometer, a very
accurate piece of electronic lab equipment that members
have used to test water samples. So far, the committee has
been monitoring levels of nitrates, phosphates, pH,
dissolved oxygen, temperature. We just recently added
E. coli bacteria to our list. In the near future we hope to
have this water quality data on the Brooks Township
website (www.brookstownship.org). In the mean time, this
water quality data is available at Brooks Township for
anyone to review. Although we don’t have enough data to
make any definitive conclusions, we have gotten high
enough readings at some locations to convince us that
continued monitoring is needed.
The WQC is a group of township residents who
volunteer their time to identify water quality issues in
Brooks Township, collect water data, find solutions for
water quality problems, and implement these solutions
(or find someone who can) to protect and improve
water resources today and for future generations.
Currently we have lots of representation from Hess
Lake, but we need more people from Emerald, Sylvan
and Brooks Lakes.
We currently have no
representation from some of the smaller lakes, such as
John Ford or Butterfield. If you live on these lakes and
would like to participate, we’d like to have you on
board.
Above: WQC members (l-r) Fred Norton, Jim Leonard and Phil
Laven collected many water samples from Wheeler and Alger
Drains last fall to test.
Goals of the Water Quality Committee:
⇒ Ensure ongoing water quality monitoring in Brooks Township
⇒ Provide direction to the Land Use Vision Project Coordinator
⇒ Provide input to the state and local agencies and to the Brooks Township Board and Planning Commission on
water quality issues
⇒ Provide a forum for Township residents to discuss and learn about water quality issues
⇒ Organize
Page 7 educational opportunities/information on water quality
Spring 2001
Spring 1993
www.brookstownship.org
Brooks Township Meeting Dates and Times
Brooks Township Board
Third Monday of the Month
Dale Black , Supervisor
Lora Jones, Clerk
Christina Haynor, Treasurer
Bob Wood, Trustee
Bob Henning, Trustee
Planning Commission
Fourth Monday of the Month
Kim Hoyle
Fred Norton
Mark Pitzer
Fred Hawkey
Bill Sherman
Bob Wood
Rob Aitchison
Jim Leonard
Diane Wykes
Zoning Board of Appeals
Meets as needed
Bob Henning
Mark Pitzer
Frank Janusz
Irv Boeskool
Dick Besser
Brooks Township Hours: 9:00 a.m. till noon…Monday through Friday
Phone 231-652-6763 Fax 231-652-6721
www.brookstownship.org
All meetings are held at the Township Office at 490 Quarterline, Newaygo at 7:00 p.m.
Brooks Township Office
P.O. Box 625
490 Quarterline
Newaygo, MI 49337
The Township newsletter is sometimes the only communications some residents have with the Township. We feel that it
needs to contain what is important you, the residents of Brooks Township. We welcome any suggestions to help make the
newsletter what it should be, a link between the happenings in the Township and it’s residents. Please feel free to call or
write with any input you may have.
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