Update on Underserved Internet Areas

To:  Property Owners in the southeastern portion of Watersmeet Township (Duck Lake, Dinner Lake, Moon Lake, Crystal Lake, Birch Lake, Lac Vieux Desert (Michigan side) general areas):

As promised, your Watersmeet Broadband Task Force has been pursuing leads to get high-speed, reliable internet to the southeastern portion of the Township that was left off the FCC map and unable to obtain Highline internet service.  And we have news to report:

On Wednesday, October 30, 2024, Phil Turan, the President of Michigan Broadband, returned Trustee Yvonne Clark’s calls with an update!  Here’s what we learned:

Unfortunately (and obviously at this point) he said that Michigan Broadband will not be bringing fiber optic internet to the southeastern portion of the Township this year.  But – he is working on the plans for next year right now.  We asked what we can do to help and/or to get service out to this area of the Township sooner rather than later.  He said if we could spread the word to have homeowners go to the Michigan Broadband website and put in their address, then the company can see what type of interest there is and approximately how many folks are looking for service.  This is exciting news!!!

What can you do?
If you are interested in high-speed fiber optic internet and own property in the southeastern portion of Watersmeet that was not covered by Highline – please access the Michigan Broadband website at www.michbbs.com.  Scroll down to the bottom of the home page and there is a block to “Search Your Address”.  Simply fill in your fire number address and it will likely say that service is unavailable.  However, Mr. Turan told us that the company actively reviews the info to determine how much interest there is in a given area.  The more folks we have inputting addresses in the southern portion of the Township, the quicker Michigan Broadband will hopefully act on it!  This is not merely wishful thinking – the Task Force used a similar strategy to influence Highline to make Watersmeet one of the very first townships in the western U.P. to receive its fiber optic service.  If it worked once, it could work again!

If you currently have broadband internet service through Michigan Broadband, please understand that it is currently not Fiber Optic, utilizes outdated technology and is likely slow.    Fiber Optic technology has not yet been installed in your areas (Duck, Dinner lakes etc…).  We are working directly with Michigan Broadband to bring NEW High-Speed Fiber Optic internet to your location.  It is important to express your interest in Fiber Optic internet for Michigan Broadband to understand customer demand and prioritize Watersmeet Township in their planning for 2025.

Please spread the word to your friends and neighbors!

Please let Trustee Yvonne Clark or Trustee John Oliver know if you have any questions.

Thanks for your help!

Watersmeet Broadband Task Force

Yvonne Clark, Trustee
John Oliver, Trustee
Bob McGuffin
Greg Clark

Fire Department Receives Gift from LVD Tribe

The members of the Watersmeet Volunteer Fire Department would like to take this opportunity to thank the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians for their generous donation that enabled them to purchase a Lucas Device for automated CPR for use by the Watersmeet EMS volunteers.

Precious time, and possibly lives, will be saved because of this generous donation to our community.

Thank you LVD!

Planning Commission Meeting Date Change

At their September 12th special meeting, the Planning Commission voted to approve changing the schedule of remaining meetings through the end of 2024 to the second Tuesday of each month.

Remainder of 2024 Planning Commission Meetings will be as follows:

  • Tuesday Oct 8, 2024 @5:30 pm
  • Tuesday Nov 12, 2024 @5:30 pm
  • Tuesday Dec 10, 2024 @5:30 pm

Upcoming Ambulance Millage Vote Information Session

UPCOMING AMBULANCE MILLAGE VOTE
CRITICAL TO HEALTH OF GOGEBIC COUNTY

All county residents urged to attend public information session

 

Residents of Gogebic County will make a critical decision about the health of their communities on August 6 when they vote to renew a millage that supports emergency medical services (EMS), including ambulance service. All residents are invited to learn more about the issue at information sessions on Thursday, July 18 at 4:30 p.m. at the Bessemer VFW Post 3673. The meeting will include time for a question-and-answer session.

“Imagine dialing 911 and no one shows up. Without additional outside funding, essential emergency ambulance services will very likely be unable to operate for residents across Gogebic County,” noted Jim Lorenson, chair of the Gogebic County Ambulance Committee, a standing committee of the Gogebic County Board. “This is an absolutely vital service. More than 8,860 911 calls were served in Gogebic County between January 1, 2021, and March 31, 2024. Ambulances play a critical role in protecting the health and safety of our residents.” 

If renewal of the Gogebic County millage does not pass, alternatives are limited, and the safety of residents will be put at risk. Without funding from the millage, additional pressure during emergencies would be placed on residents, fire, and police departments.

The rural communities of Gogebic County currently rely on high-quality emergency medical services that are supported by the millage passed in 2021. In addition to responding to 911 calls and requests for transport, Gogebic County EMS staff provide CPR training, assist people in residences and nursing homes, and support law enforcement during search and rescue and major events. Millage funds do not provide direct economic benefit to any particular provider — they support EMS as a whole across the county. The millage has minimal financial impact on property owners.

According to the National Rural Health Association, Gogebic County is not alone in the EMS crisis. With widespread “ambulance deserts”  and staffing shortages, more than one third of all rural emergency medical services departments are in danger of closing. “Staffing and financial challenges have continued to impact ambulance services across the country, especially in rural areas,” said Lorenson, “Gogebic County is no different. Our goal with these sessions is to offer the public an opportunity to learn about how the millage is being used and the dangers of what may happen if the millage renewal fails to pass. It is a very important vote that will directly impact the safety of our communities.” 

The information session, which will be hosted by Gogebic County Ambulance Committee members, will highlight the current challenges facing ambulance service in the county and throughout the nation, including staffing, reimbursement, and geographic logistics. The sessions will be open to all residents of Gogebic County.  

For more information about the EMS millage or the upcoming community information sessions, please call Gogebic County Emergency Management at 906-667-1118.

Planning Commission Survey: Community Input Requested

The Township of Watersmeet Planning Commission has posted a survey to obtain planning input from our community members.  The survey has twelve questions and should take less than five minutes to complete.  The survey will be open from July 1- July 31, 2024.  Please take the survey and help inform your local government.

Thank you