By Phyllis Rose
Schoolcraft Township residents will soon have a quick and easy way to get updates, alerts, and other important information from the Township. Its board April 9 approved a contract with TextMyGov to use texting technology to communicate with residents.
Treasurer Teresa Scott noted that with this system, constituents can receive text alerts, respond to a text, ask a question, or report an issue. The responses will be automatic.
“People will sign up for the service,” she said. “They can still call the Township offices at any time.”
Residents can sign up for the types of texts they want to receive, such as voting reminders, she said.
The service also provides a database of local phone numbers that includes cell numbers, Scott said. This would be helpful in her job because some people mail their taxes in and have the wrong amount on the check. With the phone number database, she could call them and have the problem taken care of quickly rather than having to mail the check back and wait for a new one to arrive with the resident possibly incurring late fees in the meantime.
Trustee Tamra Stafford assured residents that they would not be bombarded with texts, but will receive them when something important needs to be communicated.
At previous meetings, Board members had discussed installing a digital sign outside the Township offices to keep people informed. Scott reported that her research into a digital sign indicated the cost would be between $43,000 and $60,000 but would only reach those who happen to drive by the offices.
“We can reach a lot more people with texts,” she said.
Following the discussion, the Board approved the contract at an annual cost of $2,500 and a one-time $1,250 implementation fee. The program allows for 25,000 texts per year. Those not used can roll over into the next year.
Scott said the system should be up and running within about a month. Information about the program and how to sign up will be available on the Township’s website.
The Board voted to designate the Penny Saver as the newspaper of record instead of the Kalamazoo Gazette or Climax Crescent.
The Penny Saver is more cost effective than the other two, noted Stafford. The cost per column inch in the Kalamazoo Gazette is $45.10 with a $10 affidavit notary fee. The Climax Crescent charges $12 per column inch. The Penny Saver charges $10 per column inch.
Published in Three Rivers, the Penny Saver is distributed free throughout Vicksburg and Schoolcraft, said Stafford. It has a circulation of about 18,000 and distributes about 1,500 copies within the Township.
To be considered a newspaper of record, the publication has to come out at least weekly. The South County News is monthly.
In other business, the Board set the fee for the lacrosse field at $350.
It also set a May 14 public hearing for the Sunset Lake Vegetation Control 2025-2029 special assessment roll confirmation. The cost of the five-year control program is $119,400, which represents a slight increase each year over the term of the agreement.
The Board voted to spread out the assessment evenly over the five years rather than changing it each year as the rates go up.
At a previous meeting, Board members had discussed what to do with a tractor that was no longer needed. They decided they needed a policy on the disposal of fixed assets.
They approved a new policy at the April meeting which provides that the clerk will be notified of any equipment up for disposal. A list will then be submitted to the Board to approve how the items will be handled, whether through sealed bids, auction, negotiated sale, gift or disposal. Township employees may not purchase the items without approval of the board.
The township supervisor will place a notice in the paper about a sale and then the Board would make a decision based on the bids that are received.
During public comment time, Toni Rafferty from the Schoolcraft Fourth of July committee reported that the annual parade has been cancelled this year due to US-131 construction. However, there will be fireworks at the Dome Sports Center, 12733 N. US 131 in Schoolcraft. The Board requested that the committee submit the appropriate forms from the fireworks company.
Board members expressed concern about the traffic issues in the area due to the construction and how parking may cause problems.
Rafferty noted that next year the fireworks will be back at Schoolcraft High School after the completion of the football field.