By Annette Christie Following a public hearing held June 4, the boards of Watervliet Township and Coloma Township have met and held discussions about the possibility of assisting financially with the continuation of a special assessment that is recommended to go through 2017 and possibly even further. The five-year mark is approaching on a special assessment district to fund the clean-up of Paw Paw Lake. At the public hearing held to present the plan for continued work to improve the quality of Paw Paw Lake, it was suggested that the lake does benefit others besides just those that live directly on it or have access to it. Those that are charged an assessment are all buildable parcels in Coloma and Watervliet Townships that have direct access via frontage along Paw Paw Lake or that have indirect access via deeded or dedicated lake or canal access to Paw Paw Lake or that have access via boat piers or boat slips along Paw Paw Lake are considered one unit. Off-lake properties with deeded, dedicated or purchased lake access via a dock, boat slip, etc. (e.g. condos, Natures Cove, golf course properties, Pokagon Heights) are considered one unit. Developed lakefront properties with adjacent, undeveloped lots under common ownership are considered one unit. Off-lake properties with shared access via a park or non-buildable property are considered .1 unit. Marinas are considered 2 units for eight slips or less with 2 more units for each additional 8 slips or less. Watervliet Township Trustee Joe Stepich, who also sits on the Paw Paw Lake Restoration Committee, said that there is a legal way for the townships to assists through an at-large township assessment. It could look something like a percentage of the total assessment and then split between the two. This would ultimately reduce the amount that assessed to those are part of the district. Coloma Township Supervisor Ken Parrigin has commented that with the townships participating it makes a statement. “We do have some responsibility,” Parrigin said adding, “I would not have any problem with that.” Coloma Township Trustee Matt Moser also supported it. Coloma Township Trustee Bryan Duffield pointed out that it would be similar to the roads that everyone in the township pays for in the form of a millage. While a township resident may not use every road, they do benefit from it. The same would go for Paw Paw Lake and those township residents that use it, enjoy it, get benefit from it even though they don’t live on it. The two township boards have now passed the second resolution regarding the project and establishing their support of the estimated annual cost of the project at around $212,000. Coloma Twp. public hearing rescheduled to July 16 . In addition, the resolution authorizes a change to the date of the second required public hearing, a move that is needed to allow more time to work on the numbers for the special assessment district and each individual dollar amount for each assessment. That is the purpose of the second public hearing, to present the assessment roll. The second public hearing will now be held on Saturday, July 16, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Coloma Township Hall. This is a change in the location as well. The plan going forward is to not only continue to fight the invasive plants but invasive animals as well such as zebra mussels. There are numerous cases in the Great Lakes region where invasive species such as zebra mussels and Eurasian milfoil have upset the natural balance of the aquatic communities resulting in poorer fishing opportunities, a decreased abundance of fish prey, and decreased recreational opportunities. The goal is to improve the overall water quality of the lake and the clarity. By addressing these objectives and taking action, the fisheries, wildlife, recreational and aesthetic values of the lake should improve. Larry Protasiewicz with Spicer Group described the plan going forward as multi-dimensional and includes the continuation of the current aquatic nuisance weed management program. In addition, the use of the aeration program will be assessed and improvements would be made as needed including trying new aeration technologies if needed.
Summer not slowing down activity at Coloma Schools; Board hears preliminary plans for next school year
By Annette Christie With the end of the regular 2015-2016 school year upon them, summer school activities have begun at Coloma Public Schools. Superintendent Peter Bush told the School Board at their Monday, June 13 meeting that the summer migrant programs will begin next week. “It is summer but it is not like we are closed,” Bell said. Elementary Principal Krista Bethke told the board that the Summer Literacy Camp has begun with 32 students enrolled. She commented that it is more like a camp setting vs. a classroom setting and makes reading fun for the kids even though they are learning. Bell commented that the literacy camp is a very nice set up. As the regular school year wrapped up, school administrators said that the 7th graders had a fantastic field trip to Mid Evil Times in Chicago, the 5th graders were off to Green Field Village, and the 4th graders visited the Kalamazoo Air Zoo. Junior High Principal Peter Olsen said he hopes that they are able to make the Mid Evil Times trip an annual one. Rita Moore, Intermediate School Principal, made what might be her last appearance at the School Board meeting as she is retiring. She complimented the organizers of the annual Field Day that they recently held. Moore commented that it is always a well-received event by the students and the parents. She stated that the end of the year awards were held and reading certificates were presented to a large number of students. In addition, six children received perfect attendance. The School Board thanked Moore for her years of service. Bell presented a preliminary school calendar for the 2016-2017 school year. He said the biggest change was that the two-hour late days will be used for professional development. He asked that the July meeting be moved to July 18 due to the 4th of July holiday falling on the first Monday of July. He reminded the board that the Budget hearing is set for June 27, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.
Minimal changes to staffing levels
Bell said he is working with Director of Business Services Catherine Fisher on the budget for next year and said he is very confident that there will be minimal changes to the staffing levels. He commented that state wide, districts are facing difficult financial times that are not without challenges, however, he anticipates there will be minimal changes needed to make a balanced budget. The board approved a one-year contract with Kinexus for the Bridge Academy program. This is a program that the Coloma Public Schools have been involved in for several years. In order to fund the program, it is necessary for Kinexus to be in an agreement with a school district. It provides GED prep and training and work readiness training for students who are not attending high school and who might not otherwise be employable. It is a career focused culture that also helps the attendees with various barriers such as transportation, housing, or simply basic needs. As the host district, Coloma returns the foundation allowance that it receives for the students attending the Bridge Academy to Kinexus after an administrative fee that the district is able to keep. Fisher reported the findings from the Audit Company RFP. The district has been contracting with Ullery & Company for as long as anyone could remember. Fisher said that Coloma was the only K-12 school district that the company did. In the RFP documents Fisher was looking for a lower cost and an audit company that had experience with school districts. In all there were six companies that responded, of which only three had in depth K-12 experience. The top three companies had between 40 -200 audits in the State of Michigan. Fisher said she was familiar with the companies that had school experience and knew their reputations. The board approved a contract with Yeo & Yeo for a three year period. Fisher assured the board that the three years depends on the quality, said they can cancel if they want to. The benefit of the three year contract was that it set a fixed price.
Chrome Books for grades 9-11
Bush told the board that the district expects to have Chrome Books for grades 9-11 at the beginning of the next school year. This year the administration was able to obtain them for students in grades 6-8. Bush said that the Dell Chrome Book is a rugged, but very nice device. They will be able to obtain them with the $23,000 rebate they received from this year’s purchase with the balance coming from at risk money. The district expects to receive a rebate for all of those that they are buying for the 9-11 grades in a year from now around the time that they will need to buy new devices for the incoming freshmen of school year 2017-2018. School Board member Doug Kraemer asked what grade level they expect to go down to. Bush stated that the district has purchased a lot of technology over the years. He said they are hoping to go 1:1 with Kindergarten and first graders for the tablets, and to provide a classroom cart of Chrome Books for 2nd and 3rd graders also. The 4th and 5th graders already have carts of chrome books available to the classroom teams. School Board member April Watson asked about the accessibility for students to take them home and about training for the parents. Bush said that students in grades 9-11 should be able to take them home. Possibly eighth graders eventually will also be able to take them home but that would be the youngest age group. Bush said parents will have training available at back to school events in the fall, which additional technology training nights. Bush said that it is possible that students that are graduating might have an opportunity to purchase the one they have been using throughout high school with them when they leave.
Gadget repair “Super Hero” at Watervliet Library July 12 & 26
Ryan Hafer Senior Super Hero will be available for classes at the Watervliet Library on July 12, from 6-8 p.m., and July 26- from 6-8 p.m., public welcome with no charge. Ryan is a super hero when it comes to repairs on all forms of gadgets and Gizmos. His e-mail is seniorsuperhero.com and his phone number 269-757-0001. His claim to fame is he can repair or fix any and all gadgets and all gizmos. He will lend willing support and help to all of those who attend and request his help.
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