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

 

Highline Installation – Important information for Private Roads

Highline has been busy installing high speed fiber optic internet in our community. They have already run most of the fiber optic lines in the public road right of ways as evidenced by the small green pedestals popping up along the roads. This year they will be continuing their build out- connecting individual homes along the public roads as well as finishing running fiber optic lines down many of the private roads that are so prevalent in our community. Whereas Highline was able to bury fiber on the public roads using the established right of way, no such right of way exists from the public road to homes on private roads. In order to grant access to Highline to bury fiber optic cable down your private road, a Right of Entry form must be completed. This comes with a catch, however. Highline has indicated that in order to run the necessary fiber optic cable down a private road, every property must complete the Right of Entry form. If one property does not complete the form, no properties on that private road will be connected to the network. 

Highline has obtained the necessary ROEs to extend fiber along the following roads:

  • Big Lake Road
  • Palmquist Road
  • White Birch Road
  • Poor Lake Road
  • Maplewood Road
  • Allen Lake Road
  • W Cisco Lake Road (north driveway)
  • Channel Road
  • West side of Clearwater Lake (driveway)

If you live on a private road that is not listed above, please be sure to complete the ROE to grant Highline permission to run fiber down your road.   In order to complete a Right of Entry form with Highline, it is easiest to fill out the form electronically. The person working with our community is Joe Erickson. Send him an email to Joe.Erickson@HighlineFast.com.  Identify your property location and he will prepare the form to be signed electronically. He can also be reached at 906.280.6298.

A copy of Highline’s letter to Private Road homeowners is attached as well as the Right of Entry form.
ROE Letter>  ROE Form>

Completing the Right of Entry form does not commit you to subscribing to Highline’s service at any time.  Currently, Highline is running this fiber optic cable at no charge to residents as part of a federal grant. If they are unable to lay this cable on a private road because of a lack of a Right of Entry form and are asked to come back at a later date, this will likely be done at the homeowner(s) expense.

For those of you living on private roads, our ask of you is simple- please reach out to your neighbors and assure that they have received this information and are willing to complete the Right of Entry form with Highline. If they did not receive this post, then please forward this to them.

If you have any questions about your private road installation – please contact Joe Erickson at 906-280-6298 or joe.erickson@highlinefast.com.

Any other questions, please feel free to contact Yvonne Clark, Trustee, at 906-477-3029 or John Oliver, Trustee at 847-639-7978.

Watersmeet Broadband Task Force
Yvonne Clark, Trustee
John Oliver, Trustee
Bob McGuffin
Greg Clark

Updated Zoning Ordinance Available

During its Regular Meeting on December 20, 2023, the Watersmeet Township Board of Trustees finalized and approved language modifying the Watersmeet Township Zoning Ordinance. Specifically, Section 6.02A has been modified to read as follows:

6.02A Primary uses (Without Special Approval)
11. A Seasonal Trailer Coach may be on the property year-round provided that the trailer coach maintains
current registration and license plates and provided the trailer coach remains road worthy.

The 30-day review period has ended, and the changes are final.  Copies of the ordinance are available the township office.

Click here to download Zoning Ordinance>

Seeking Volunteers for Sylvania Entrance Station

The U.S. Forest Service is looking for individuals who are interested in volunteering for permit season May 15 – September 30 of this year to help out in the Sylvania Entrance Station.

They are looking for motivated individuals who are willing to commit to several days/month or 1-2days/week to help staff the Entrance Station and help with basic maintenance of the Sylvania Recreation Area such as cleaning facilities and basic lawn maintenance.

If you are interested, please contact:

Eric Pursifull
Eric.Pursifull@usda.gov
906-358-4013

Volunteer Service Description>

Public Notice: Zoning Ordinance 6.02A Modification

NOTICE

During its Regular Meeting on December 20, 2023, the Watersmeet Township Board of Trustees finalized and approved language modifying the Watersmeet Township Zoning Ordinance. Specifically, Section 6.02A has been modified to read as follows:

6.02A Primary uses (Without Special Approval)
11. A Seasonal Trailer Coach may be on the property year-round provided that the trailer coach maintains
current registration and license plates and provided the trailer coach remains road worthy.

The entire ordinance can be viewed at the Watersmeet Township office, N4689 1st Street, Watersmeet, Michigan on weekdays from 9 am to 3 pm. The modifications to Section 6.02A will become effective 30 days from the date of this posting (3/21/24).

Questions or comments may be forwarded to Julie Mathiesen, Watersmeet Township Clerk, P.O. Box 306, Watersmeet, MI 49969.

PUBLIC NOTICE: Proposed Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
FOR
WATERSMEET TOWNSHIP

The Watersmeet Township Board of Trustees will conduct a public hearing on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at 4:30 PM.  The hearing will be held at the Township Community Center, located at N4689 1st Street, Watersmeet, MI.  The purpose of the hearing is to review the proposed Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget and support the Truth-in-Taxation process. The property tax millage rate proposed to be levied to support the proposed budget will be a subject of this hearing.   The regular monthly Board of Trustees meeting will be held after the hearing with the budget approval as an agenda item.

Copies of the proposed budget will be available at the Township Offices, also located at N4689 1st Street, after March 18, 2024.  Comments on the budget will be accepted at the hearing or can be submitted in writing to Julie Mathiesen, Watersmeet Township Clerk, P.O. Box 306, Watersmeet, MI   49969.

 

PUBLIC NOTICE: Watersmeet Township Board of Review

PUBLIC NOTICE

Watersmeet Township
Board of Review

Organization Meeting:
March 5th, 9:00 a.m.

First Meeting:
Monday, March 11th, 3:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Second Meeting:
Friday, March 15th, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

 

Meetings take place at:
Watersmeet Township
Community Center
N4689 First Street, Watersmeet MI

Print Friendly Notice>

Notice of Public Hearing: Watersmeet Township Master Plan

PLANNING COMMISSION
Public Hearing

Date: Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Time: 5:00PM
Location: Watersmeet Community Center

Purpose of Hearing:
5PM Public Hearing: The purpose of the hearing is to allow public review and comment on a revised Watersmeet Township Master Plan. Watersmeet township is providing this notice of public hearing in accordance with the MICHIGAN PLANNING ENABLING ACT Act 33 of 2008, Section 125.3843.

Both the Planning Commission and Township Board have approved a proposed final draft of the revised Master Plan.  We encourage attendees to read this ahead of time and be prepared with written comments.

Public Hearing Agenda:
a.  Call to Order and Roll Call
b.  Summarize Purpose of Meeting
c.  Enter Public Hearing
d.  Public Comment – 3 minutes each. State name and address for the record.
e.  Exit Hearing
f.  Planning Commission Deliberation.
g.  Adjournment

 

Print Friendly Notice

Draft Master Plan