Keeler Township broadband expansion finally has green light, qualifying residents required to pay $100 installation fee

Many months have passed since the Keeler Township Board approved the use of $58,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funding that Keeler received to improve the municipality’s infrastructure. This specific funding was earmarked for use in expanding the broadband in Keeler Township where the residents were unserved. Ninety properties are within the expansion area and one property was previously removed due to being served under separate funding.

Midwest Energy & Communications (MEC) is the grantee that engaged Keeler in the original agreement and they have presented Keeler Township with a Provision of Broadband Services between MEC and Keeler Township. The board approved the signing of the Provision Agreement at their business meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 5.

Outlined in the agreement is the deadline for the expansion work to be completed, January 1, 2026 and MEC will handle all cost around securing permits and construction. The residents of the 90 properties that require a new service drop, or individual connection to the service, will need to pay a $100 installation fee. This is a great opportunity for those previously unserved and a much lower cost than attempting to get the service expanded individually, as was the case before.

The other services and plans that will then be made available to the expanded area are the standard of the remainder of the MEC service area and would be agreed upon and engaged by individual private property owners.

County business shared with township board

Van Buren County Commissioner, Tina Leary shared about the update to the ROBIN Grant; Midwest Energy & Communications (MEC) received the second largest grant amount in Van Buren County. The MEC Van Buren Grant application covered numerous municipalities within Van Buren County.

Leary noted that the Legal Help website training for all public librarians in the county has been completed. County residents can visit the library and receive help navigating the website. The user will need to be prepared to do the work, but the librarians can assist with getting them to the correct place on the site; no legal help or advising is available within this context.

Van Buren County Family Court will be hosting an Amnesty Day on Dec. 12. This event is to allow outstanding child support payments to be collected without making arrest and they will be dropping bench warrants when payments are received as well.

Leary also shared that the Veteran’s Court will be holding a graduation on Dec. 21, at 3 p.m.

Van Buren County Road Commissioner, Rick Boze discussed the larger projects that have been ongoing and shared while there is clear weather the road crews will be working on potholes and some tree projects that are needed. The Road Commission reminds the public that driveway reflectors need to be set back, out of the road right-of-way. Issues with road conditions can be reported by residents through SeeClickFix, the electronic request website at seeclickfix.com/van-buren-county.

Public safety reports

Keeler Township Fire and Rescue had 21 calls in November; of those six were fire calls - primarily assists. The department recently conducted drivers training and medical training over the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Chief Don Bogart shared that the floor drain repair is needed and the department is having a hard time receiving quotes as many contractors are not willing to come out to bid on it. The department was asked for a few more bids for the work needed. Chief Bogart will attempt to get another couple bid to the board before next meeting.

Sister Lakes Volunteer Fire Department had 13 total November calls, one of them in Keeler Township. The average response time was 9:59 minutes, averaging 10 responders.

Van Buren Sheriff Deputy, John Horton gave his report, with 53 calls in November. Deputy Horton was optimistic that things are going well.

Jacob Diljak, of the Van Buren Conservation District, shared with the board that there was a 65% increase in recycling in Keeler Township this past year. The annual tree and shrub sale will be happening again this year, watch the Conservation District information for details. Diljak also mentioned there are Conservation District Calendars available and there will be some at the township hall for any interested residents. The Keeler Township Recycling Day date will be announced soon.

Keeler Township committees

Trustee Matthew Sexton noted the Zoning Board of Appeals did not meet in November and Zoning Administrator, Allyn Anthony was out of town at training.

Planning Commission report given by Trustee Jerry Morin noted the commission’s November and December meetings will be combined on Dec. 12. The planning commission will continue to review ordinances to align the Master Plan.

The Keeler Township treasurer, Sharon Clupper, reviewed the Treasurer’s Report for the board and noted the higher than typical bills due to the deposits into the CD accounts and the planned road projects.

Lake Court legal case has now been fully resolved and has been dedicated to public use.

New Business Discussions

The Corridor Improvement Authority has a vacancy on their board for a resident or business owner within the corridor. The CIA has recently finalized their project to add a Non-motorized Pedestrian Path to the corridor; Van Buren County Road Commission has agreed upon an arrangement to accomplish this project.

The next project the CIA has been looking into was something to enhance the trailhead at Lion’s Park. The CIA will need to pursue an amendment of their development plan to expand their scope and have the proper authority to develop a park or playground area. Keeler Township is looking into the possibility of and cost associated with the CIA taking on the widened scope of the potential project.

Keeler Township Clerk, Angela Sexton has submitted the paperwork surrounding the Bureau of Elections’ new requirements to have a dedicated, permanent Ballot Box. This action will be to receive the funding for the new ballot box. More questions are being asked of the state about the way the necessary storage upgrade will work, as it is part of the required surveillance technology in these Election Laws.

Lift Station B-1 was repaired and the insurance claim submitted from the failure, but the projected amount of the claim will not support the required upgrades to the Lift Station.

Correspondence & Public Comment

Keeler Township Board addressed the 95th Avenue blight. It is currently sitting apparently abandoned, but the township has been made aware of a legal dispute between family members, that has the court restricting access to the property. The next hearing is set for Dec. 18 and the property owner reassures Keeler that they are ready to do all that is necessary to bring the property up to code once access is granted.

A member of the public also referred to the 95th Avenue property when bringing concerns over wildlife, feces and feral cats.

The lot where the old Keeler Keg stood is the focus of another Keeler resident who wished to inquire on whether there were any plans to put a park on that spot. The board noted that there was a previous Parks and Recreation Plan, but they will need to look into the expired plan and see what can be done. The inquiry indicated some interest in funding for a possible park there for the township.

Next Keeler Township meeting

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. Meetings are held in the Board Room at the Keeler Township Hall. Regular meetings are held the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.