Draft 2026 Capital Improvement Plan

The Watersmeet Planning Commission has completed the 2026 Capital Improvement Plan. The Commission approved the plan and forwarded it to the Board of Trustees for consideration.

The Board will review and discuss the proposed plan at its January 21, 2026 meeting, with possible adoption at that time.

Draft Capital Improvement Plan>

BS&A Online Lookup for Property & Utility Account Holders

You can now access the following information online through the BS&A online portal:  Assessing, Tax, Delinquent Personal Property Tax and Utility Billing

You should register first, which will allow easy access in the future on the bottom left-hand side of the webpage.
The service is automatically set up to search all records and using the address of the property(s) the individual owns. When searching by address don’t use the E or N, only the physical address number. You can press the down arrow by address to change to owner name if you want to search that way.

This service allows you to view records associated with your parcel(s) or account(s) but is FREE only for those for which you are listed as the owner or account holder.

If you wish to look at another property or utility account, there is a $6.00 fee for each searched item.

Access is available for all information on a read-only basis. You will be able to view relevant information but can’t make any changes.

If you have any questions concerning this service please contact the Treasurer’s Office, (906) 358-4501 Ext 111 or treasurer@watersmeet.us.

Paul D Kemppainen
Watersmeet Township Treasurer

New Holiday Lights in Pavilion Park

Members of the Watersmeet Beautification Committee braved the cold to add festive lighting to the trees along Highway 45 in Pavilion Park. Stop by to enjoy the new lights!

Many thanks to the volunteers!

 

 

 

 

Are You Prepared for the Next Winter Storm?

Winter weather in the Upper Peninsula can arrive quickly and bring heavy snow, strong winds, extreme cold, and power outages. Being prepared before a storm hits is essential for both residents and property owners.

Are you prepared for the next winter storm?

MIREADY, sponsored by the Michigan State Police, offers information from preparing for a storm and preventing freezing pipes, to safety tips for heating sources and portable generators, along with many other winter preparedness topics.

Please visit the MIREADY site today and be prepared for the next winter storm!

Thank you!!! From Watersmeet Food Pantry

On behalf of everyone who is served by the Watersmeet SVDP Food Pantry we thank everyone for the recent cash and food donations. These have made it possible to provide food security to dozens of local and nearby families through the holidays. With more families and individuals in need than in the past, we hope you will continue to help us stock the shelves as we move into 2026.

Food donations allow us to fulfill immediate needs for those struggling with food insecurity. Your cash donations allow us to secure bulk shipments that are planned in advance and allow better purchasing power and a consistent supply of nutritious foods for people in need. If you would like to reach out to the Food Pantry volunteers to discuss specific needs or how to make a donation, please contact Tammy Haluska at 906.358.4660.

Thank you again for your generous support. We wish you the happiest of holidays.
Watersmeet Food Pantry

EGLE Notice of Authorization for Bridge Replacements on MiTrale Trail #3

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Water Resources Division has issued a Notice of Authorization to replace six existing bridges on Duck Creek and one bridge on Beaver Dam Creek along the MiTrale Trail #3 in Watersmeet in accordance with attached permit plans and conditions of this permit. The replacements will require the placement of 4 cubic yards of riprap waterward of the Ordinary High Water Mark, 97 cubic yards of fill within all Part 31 floodplains impacted by this project (all locations except for Beaver Dam Creek), and up to 0.03 acres of total wetland fill for the six bridge replacements.

Notice of Authorization>

Halloween Safety Tips from Watersmeet Police Department

The Watersmeet Police Department recommends the following for parents allowing their children to trick or treat this year.

  1. Trick or Treat will be held on Friday, October 31, in Watersmeet.
  2. The recommended hours for Trick or Treating are between 3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Try to Trick or Treat during daylight hours.
  3. Children should wear light colored clothing or have reflective tape on their clothing so they can be easily seen. Also, carry a flashlight or wear a headlamp, if possible.
  4. Young children should be accompanied by a parent or adult.
  5. Children should Trick or Treat only in their neighborhood, on well lighted streets.
  6. Visit homes with porch lights on, which welcome Trick or Treating.
  7. When children Trick or Treat with friends, have them inform you of their route and when they plan to be back home.
  8. Parents should insist that treats be brought home for inspection before anything is eaten. Fruit should be washed; unpacked items should be discarded. If any treat looks suspicious, contact the Watersmeet Police Department.

Remember that children look forward only to the good things about Halloween, therefore, parents should prepare and alert their children to the possible dangers too.

Happy Halloween!

Reminder to Watersmeet Residents & Property Owners – Short-Term Rentals

Short-term rentals (rentals of 27 days or less) in Watersmeet Township are regulated under the Township Zoning Ordinance (Sections 4.02B, 5.02B, 6.01B, and 7.09 – Short-Term Rentals). A valid permit must be obtained from the Township Planning Commission and Zoning Administrator before renting any single-family dwelling.

The Township recently updated its Zoning Ordinance, including new guidelines specific to short-term rentals, and adopted a revised permit application form. These changes took effect on July 5, 2025.

If you are currently renting without a permit, please begin the permit process as soon as possible. A grace period is in place through December 31, 2025, during which applications can be submitted without penalties. Enforcement—including fines and legal action—will begin in January 2026. Short-term rentals that have previously been approved are also asked to update their information by completing the first page of the revised application before December 31st, 2025.

Penalties for Renting without a Permit are outlined in Article 10 of the ordinance.

How to Apply or if you have any questions:

  • Email: zoning@watersmeet.us
  • Phone: (906) 366-0262 (Zoning Administrator, Megan Zelinski)
  • Application Form: Short-Term Rental Application (fill-able PDF)
  • For additional ordinance details—including the full text of Sections 4.02B, 5.02B, 6.01B, and 7.09—see the official Zoning Ordinance published by Watersmeet Township: Watersmeet Zoning Ordinance (July 2025).

 

PUBLIC NOTICE – Bass Lake Herbicide Treatment

We want to join LVD and share important information concerning Bass Lake in Watersmeet Township.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) received a report of possible chemical herbicide treatment to Bass Lake.  The application date and the chemical(s) used are currently unknown.  This was not a state permitted application of chemicals.

The use of aquatic herbicides and other chemicals are regulated under state law (Part 33, Aquatic Nuisance Control, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act).  These laws are designed to protect public health, our waters, and the environment.

Based on early observations, the activity appears to have affected both invasive and native aquatic plants.

Because we do not yet know the herbicide used, EGLE reports that it is “unknown” if swimming or fishing in Bass Lake is safe.   Likewise, we do not yet know if the chemical(s) applied in the lake will impact fish or other animal species.  Due to these concerns, we posted notices prohibiting swimming and fishing in Bass Lake yesterday.

LVD’s Natural Resources Department is working closely with EGLE as they investigate.  Both agencies are taking steps to collect water and sediment samples from Bass Lake.  These tests may help us all understand what type(s) of chemical(s) were used and how the lake may have been impacted.

If you have any information that may assist in understanding what occurred on Bass Lake, please contact the Aquatic Nuisance Control Program, Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy at 517-284-5593 or email at EGLE-WRD-ANC@Michigan.gov.

Yvonne Clark
Watersmeet Township Supervisor
October 9, 2025