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.
Christmas Tree Dropoff
The drop-off program for Christmas trees will continue through February 1st .
Pathway Plowing
Grand Haven Township has 36 miles of pathways. Our Public Services Department works diligently to keep the pathways in good condition. During the winter months, staff can work long hours trying to keep up with the snow plowing. Although they try to keep all paths cleared, the most populated areas and school zones take priority.

If your property abuts the pathway, for efficiency and safety, do not pile snow on the pathway.
Fire/Rescue Numbers
2021 was a record year for the Fire/Rescue department in terms of emergency responses – with a total of 1,401. Health Pointe accounted for about 6.6% of the emergency calls (i.e., 93) followed by the Village at Rosy Mound accounting for about 5% of the calls (i.e., 70).

The Fire/Rescue Department has 7 full-time and 26 part-time employees. 

The Township Fire/Rescue Department is the only ALS (i.e., paramedic) certified department in West Michigan. The station is staffed with two fire fighters 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week, which allows the initial vehicle to leave the fire station within an average time of about 30 seconds during daytime hours for all emergencies.
Winter Property Taxes Due - February 14th
Winter property taxes are due on Monday, February 14th.
  
Winter property taxes can be paid using the on-site drop boxes, mail, or an on-line option bsaonline.com.

Residents can also pay their taxes in-person at the Township lobby during normal business hours.
Population
Burned-Out Streetlights
Have you noticed a burned-out streetlight? 

Consumers Energy has an easy way for you to report outages, based on your location. Streetlights.consumersenergy.com will take you directly to an interactive map. Just click on the burned-out streetlight and you’ll get a work order number along with follow-up when it’s been repaired.

If you are a customer of the Grand Haven Board of Light and Power, you can report by clicking here.
Time to Check Trees for Hemlock Woolly Adelgids
Hemlock woolly adelgids, tiny invasive insects that suck nutrients from hemlock trees, are known to be present in Allegan, Ottawa, Muskegon, Oceana and Mason counties. 

State agency staff, university researchers and regional cooperative invasive species management areas have been working to identify and contain infestations that span across public and private lands. 

This winter, the Michigan departments of Natural Resources and Agriculture and Rural Development encourage those who have eastern hemlock trees on their property, whether in known infested counties or elsewhere, to take time to inspect the trees for signs of hemlock woolly adelgid. 

If untreated, hemlock woolly adelgids can kill hemlock trees in four to 10 years. Trees can be protected with proper insecticide treatments.

Winter is the optimum time to look for evidence of an infestation. As hemlock woolly adelgids feed, they secrete a white, waxy material that creates ovisacs. The presence of these small, round, white masses make it possible to identify infested trees.

Again this winter, DNR and CISMA survey crews will be looking for signs of hemlock woolly adelgid on public and private lands within 5-miles of the Lake Michigan shoreline, the most probable area for new infestations.

Though crew members will cover a lot of ground, they won’t be able to check all trees. If you have eastern hemlocks on your property, take some time to look for signs of hemlock woolly adelgid. Up close, ovisacs look like balls of spun cotton and may appear alone or in clusters. The short video “Hemlock woolly adelgid: Invasive species in Michigan” provides helpful identification tips.

Report suspected hemlock woolly adelgid infestations through the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network, available online at MISIN.MSU.edu or as a downloadable smartphone app. The MISIN smartphone app will take a GPS location point if a report is made at the site; it also will allow you to upload photos with a report.

For more information on identification, reporting or treatment, visit the Michigan Invasive Species Program’s hemlock woolly adelgid page at Michigan.gov/HWA or contact Drew Rayner, DNR West Michigan Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Coordinator, at RaynerD1@Michigan.gov or 517-231-8763. 
Low Income Household Water Assistance Program
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