JAMESTOWN CHARTER TOWNSHIP BOARD WORK SESSION
May 4, 2009 7:00 p.m
The meeting was called to order by Jim Miedema. Miedema opened with prayer.
Members present: Gary Boverhof, Scott Brouwer, Jim Miedema, Ruth Pruis, Norma Shaarda and Tim Tacoma. Absent with notice: Dan Jensen.
Miedema gave those present a history of the sewer matters in Jamestown Township. The force main sewer goes through Hudsonville and the Gravity sewer goes through the 22nd Ave. trunk line through Georgetown Township. All Jamestown sewer goes to the Grandville sewage plant. Jamestown owns and is buying capacity in the Grandville plant. Jamestown built the 22nd Ave. trunk line and signed a 425 with Georgetown in 1998. Jamestown paid for the entire trunk line costs within the borders of Jamestown ($2,087,000) and $923,990 (58.2% of the total) in Georgetown Township. This was paid for with bonds that Jamestown is paying back. By the rules of the 425 agreement, all customers connected to the 22nd Ave. sewer are Georgetown customers so Georgetown charges the hookup fee ($1,200) per customer and also the quarterly usage fee ($63.25) per customer. This causes major problems for Jamestown sewer so Jamestown is trying to get a new 425 with Georgetown. One was written in 2007, but Georgetown did not sign it. Jamestown is presently having the engineers and attorneys work on another agreement.
Questions were entertained from the board and the audience. Someone questioned if Georgetown will sign a new 425. Also questioned was the possibility of some other route to Grandville or if another alternative for Jamestown sewer is being explored. Also, of great concern was how Jamestown will continue to pay off the bonds if the revenue continues to go to Georgetown. There seemed to be no answer to these questions.
Norma Shaarda talked about a new fire station and ideas for goals for the township and the Parks and Recreation committee.
The meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m.
Ruth Pruis
Jamestown Township Clerk