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

 

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>