Township Hall Project
Site clearing and construction is underway!
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You may have noticed some site clearing happening in Texas Corners - the Township Hall project is officially underway!
The Planning Commission approved the site plan for the new 10,600 SQFT building on August 9th. The project then went through the first round of bidding and most categories of work were awarded bids/contracted. However, four categories of work are in the process of being re-bid either to clarify the scope of work involved or because no bids were received. The re-bid process should be completed by October 10.
The Township Board was pleased to accept low bids from two contractors based here in Texas Township: Kerwin Electric and Dave's Glass. As much as possible, the Township endeavored to utilize the services of local contractors for the project.
The Township is in the process of bonding for $6.8M to fund the project and additional expenses will be paid out of fund balance. Taxes will not be raised as a result of this project; the Township will be making annual payments utilizing existing revenue. Construction costs have continued to rise each year we've waited to move forward with the project, and while remote work has become standard in some industries, in-person service is needed to maintain essential government services. This new facility will allow us to meet the current and future demands of our community.
Site work is already underway and construction is slated to begin ASAP. Supply chain issues are still prevalent, so Progressive AE, the design firm and general contractor for the project, is working to mitigate delays in the construction and ensure consistent progress is being made. We remain hopeful that the facility will be completed in late 2023.
Click here to learn more about the project.
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November 8, 2022 Gubernatorial Election
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Are you ready to vote in November?
Visit the Michigan Voter Information Center at www.mi.gov/vote to verify your voter information, including your address and voting precinct location, or to preview your ballot for the upcoming election. You can also request an absent voter ballot or sign up to receive an absent voter ballot application for each coming election, or track your absent voter ballot to see when it was issued or received by the Clerk’s Office.
Need to drop off an application or ballot? Ballots can be returned by mail, in person to the Clerk’s staff, or by using the ballot drop box inside the office during office hours or 24/7 using the secure drop box located at the west end of the Township Hall parking lot. Just remember that applications and ballots must be signed by the voter and must be returned by no later than 8:00 p.m. on election day.
Questions about registering to vote, changing your address, or voting absentee or in the precinct? Visit www.mi.gov/vote!
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6th Street Park Restroom Facility Update
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The Township is currently in the process of accepting proposals from architectural firms for the design of the 6th Street Restroom facility (including construction drawings). Initially, the Township was considering a pre-engineered structure, but due to bid results, is pursuing a conventional build. Our goal is to finalize the construction drawings and re-bid the project as soon as possible for a hopeful early 2023 construction start.
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Fall Leaf Drop Off
October 21 - December 1 | Kalamazoo Landscape Supplies
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The Township is once again partnering with Kalamazoo Landscape Supplies (KLS) to offer leaf drop-off services. This service is slated to begin October 21 and run through December 1. In the event of earlier leaf fall, the start date may be adjusted. Leaves will be composted free of charge.
- Leaves must be clean and free of soil and debris to be accepted
- KLS accepts bagged and non-bagged leaves - if using bags, we recommend recyclable bags
- Grass clippings and tree branches up to 5' long and no more than 12" in diameter are also accepted
Drop off available Monday - Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. To take advantage of this service, please bring proof of residency.
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Maple Hill Splash Pad
Coming to Texas Drive Park Summer 2023
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We are pleased to share that the Maple Hill Splash Pad will begin construction in Spring 2023. Our goal is to have construction completed by mid-June 2023, with opening shortly to follow.
Watch the video below for a rendering of what's to come (site furnishings are still being selected and subject to change). Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of the supporters, businesses, and donors who made this project possible. A special shout out to Maple Hill Auto Group for their generous support of this project! We look forward to opening this amenity in 2023.
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Curbside Bulk Item Collection
Program to Continue in 2023
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Thank you to everyone who participated in our pilot program survey for curbside bulk item collection. There was strong support to see the program continued in 2023. In response, the Township Board has committed to offering another bulk item curbside event in 2023; this event will likely again occur in the Spring. Stay tuned for dates and more details to be released in early 2023.
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EGLE Public Hearing
Thursday, October 6 | 6:00 PM | Via Zoom
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We have been working diligently to get the EGLE permit deemed administratively complete for the Legal Lake Level Project for Flood Mitigation. Now that this has occurred, EGLE has opened the public comment period and scheduled the Public Hearing for October 6th at 6pm. This meeting will be held virtually, directions to register are included in this public hearing notice.
After the public hearing and public comment period are finished, EGLE will complete their final review of the project and determine if a permit can be issued. The Kalamazoo County Drain Office working with Prein & Newhof will then put the project out to bid. Assuming the bids come back favorable, the project will move forward with an estimated construction start in Spring 2023.
The project has changed from the original design of a gravity flow system utilizing a horizontal well to a system that utilizes lake bottom filter beds at both Eagle and Crooked Lakes, pumps and the filtration equipment from Crooked Lake to the Bentwood wetland. As a result of the change in the project, we needed to re-submit for the FEMA Grant that was originally awarded, explaining the new project design. In addition, we asked for additional grant funds to help pay for the increased cost of the project. The FEMA Grant re-submittal is currently under review.
When the legal lake levels were set for Eagle and Crooked Lakes, the Judge designated the Kalamazoo County Drain Office as the delegated authority for the Lake Level Project and approved a Lake Level District. Since the FEMA Grant was awarded to Texas Township, the Township will act as the fiduciary and will in essence contract with the Kalamazoo County Drain Office to construct the project.
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Bookmobile Coming to Texas Township
Available for all KPL patrons and Schoolcraft and Mattawan residents
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The Kalamazoo Public Library Bookmobile is continuing their service in Texas Township this fall/winter. The Bookmobile will be parked in the Township Office parking lot on the following days:
- Friday, October 14, 1:30-3pm
- Tuesday, October 25, 10-11:30am
- Friday, November 11, 10-11:30am
- Tuesday, November 22, 3-4:30pm
- Thursday, December 8, 10-11:30am
- Wednesday, December 21, 1:30-3pm
- Friday, January 6, 1:30-3pm
This service is available to residents who live in Schoolcraft or Mattawan School District, as well as library card holders with Kalamazoo Public Library or Portage Public Library (reciprocal service). Library cards will be available for purchase at the Bookmobile.
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