Welcome to the electronic newsletter from
Grand Haven Charter Township!

Stay informed on what is happening in the township. This newsletter will deliver up-to-date information including upcoming meetings, development news, township services and more!

You can always find more information on our website or Facebook.
Ferris Street Closure
Acacia Drive into Cutter Park will remain open with construction occurring just west of this subdivision entrance. Hofma Park will need to be closed for three or four days, during the construction process.
Building Permits - Improvements to Pay Online
The Township recently added the ability for contractors to pay for building, trade, and zoning permits online. And, to make things as easy and straight-forward as possible for the customers, there is a smaller URL, https://bit.ly/GHTbuilding – to eliminate some steps.

Whenever staff send an email to an applicant to inform them that their permit review is complete and the permit can be paid, the link will be provided so that the applicant can pay without having to come into the Township offices. Also, the connection between “Point & Pay” and “Building.NET” is instantaneous, so anyone can see if an invoice was paid before issuing a permit.
New Fire / Rescue Chief
Brian Sipe joined the Township as the new Fire/Rescue Chief on Tuesday, September 8th. 

The Township is fortunate to have Chief Sipe join our team, as he has over 20 years of firefighting experience, most recently spending the past seven years serving as the Fire Chief for Spring Lake’s Fire Department. Additionally, Chief Sipe has degrees in public safety, healthcare management, and architectural construction. 

Chief Sipe and his wife, Samantha, have been married for 20 years. Together they have three boys. Their entire family will soon be moving into the Township.

Some of the challenges facing the new chief include:
  • Examining options to increase staffing – especially during daytime hours, when part-time staff are less available to respond to emergencies; and,
  • Examining options to renovate or raze the 25-year old fire/rescue station that no longer has sufficient space due to the increase in emergency runs and operations.

And, finally, KUDOS to Captain Shawn Shrader – who has been the interim Chief for the past several months. Captain Shrader is recognized for doing an exceptional job managing the department during the previous five months.
Harbor Transit Director
After a long search process, a new Director for Harbor Transit has been selected. Scott Borg is expected to begin his position with Harbor Transit on Monday, September 21st.

Borg brings 34-years of experience from United Parcel Service (with the last 7-years as the Great Lakes Transportation Division Manager); has 25-years′ experience as a part-time police officer; and, has 18-years as an adjunct professor at GVSU teaching Police Academy recruits.

The challenges facing the new Director – like the newly hired Fire/Rescue Chief – are mostly due to the rapid growth. Expanding or constructing a new facility to accommodate new buses, vans and staff will be a top priority for Director Borg.

The interim Harbor Transit Director – Steve Patrick – finished a two-year stint with Harbor Transit on August 28th and oversaw many improvements.

Kudos to Grand Haven Township HR Director Andrea Dumbrell who led this selection process.
Fire / Rescue Open House Cancelled
The annual Fire/Rescue Open House held each October has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is hoped that the Fire/Rescue Open House will be back in October 2021.
Summer Taxes Due on September 15th
Summer taxes are due on Monday, September 14th.

For your convenience, there are two drop boxes that can be used for payments. The first is a “drive-by” drop box located at the entrance to the Administrative Building parking lot. The second drop box is in the foyer of the Administrative Building.
Hofma Preserve Bridge Repair
You may be wondering about when the Hofma Preserve bridge will be repaired. 

At this stage, the Township’s engineering firm has completed soil probes to determine depth of “muck” to assist with design of anchors for the floating bridge. The pilings will have to reach of depth of 27 feet – which is longer than most wood supports. This means that the engineers are modifying the structural design of these anchors. 

Because of the depth of the anchors, the Township will be holding a pre-application meeting with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes & Energy (EGLE) to determine any state-mandated regulations that will need to be incorporated into the bid documents. 

Repairs to the bridge will likely not occur in 2020.
Township Questions?
If you have specific questions about Township operations, please send an email to bcargo@ght.org .
(616) 842-5988  | info@ght.org | www.ght.org