The Hastings Banner — Thursday, April 1, 2021 — Page 11countywide state of emergency approved
March 23] and put us back to being able to do
the hybrids again,” she said.
Anyone attending a village council meeting
in person must wear a mask and go through a
brief check-in when they arrive, Rayl said.
“We will take a short health quiz and take
your temperature,” she said.
The Middleville Downtown Development
Authority had issues with its mixed in-person
and virtual meeting last month. Members of
the DDA met in a room together, while the
audience watched online. But only one micro-
phone was working, and the majority of the
conversation was inaudible.
In Irving Township, the board will continue
to use a hybrid format for its meetings.
However, the board doesn’t use Zoom.
“We don’t do it over Zoom because we
don’t have good internet at our township,”
Township Supervisor Jamie Knight said. “We
do it over an actual conference call line. I
have a conference call app that we use. It’s
always the same phone number, always the
same [pass] code that you have to put in.”
During its March meeting, the Irving
Township board voted to move its meetings to
the third Tuesday of the month from the sec-
ond Wednesday. The next township board
meeting will be Tuesday, April 20, at 6:
p.m.
“We’ll take it month by month [with regard
to the hybrid meetings],” Knight said.
The challenge for municipal government is
enforcing orders by MDHHS regarding wear-
ing masks and distancing people at public
meetings, Michael Selden, Michigan
Townships Association director of member
information services, said March 26.
“While townships certainly can have the
signs up or make comments [requiring mask
wearing and social distancing], it is a chal-
lenge from a local perspective,” Selden said.
“By not at least following minimum stan-
dards, I think there could be some liability
there if the worst-case scenario happens.”
Law enforcement officers are deemed rep-
resentatives of MDHHS for the purpose of
enforcing its orders and are “specifically
authorized” to investigate any potential viola-
tions of orders, according to a MDHHS
Epidemic Order effective through April 19.
A violation of this order is a misdemeanor
punishable by no more than 6 months’ impris-
onment, a fine of no more than $200, or both.
A fine of $1,000 for each violation of the
order also could be issued to the municipal
government where the violation occurred.
A township could be held liable if a gather-
ing such as an open meeting is taking place on
township property and mask wearing and
social distancing rules are not being followed,
Selden said.
If no signs are displayed stating masks
must be worn while on the property and social
distancing must occur while on-site, a town-
ship could be liable, as well.
“Ultimately, they could be held responsi-
ble,” Selden said. “In theory, if someone
comes in without a mask on, the township
probably should say ‘We require masks. You
have to wear a mask.’”
People can be asked by municipal govern-
ment officials to leave a government function
such as an open meeting if they are not wear-
ing a mask or distancing themselves from
others, Selden said.
Schaefer said he would make sure everyone
at the Thornapple Township meeting is wear-
ing a mask.
“We are going to have on our door [a sign
that says] masks are required for entry,” he
said. “As far as enforcement, I guess it’s
going to be ultimately on me to ask them to
wear a mask or [tell them to] feel free to go
home and participate in the Zoom compo-
nent.”
Municipal government officials, however,
are not the police, Selden said.
“The police would have to come and they
issue fines or citations for violating the order,”
he said.
Vermontville Township Supervisor Jack
Owens said at the board’s March 25 meeting
“That’s not my job” when asked about enforc-
ing a requirement that attendees wear masks.
“It’s an open meeting. We can’t make peo-
ple do that,” Owens said.
As many as three people were not wearing
masks during last week’s meeting, which was
attended by fewer than the maximum allow-
ance of 25 people.
Selden said “It’s certainly the township’s
job” to make sure people follow the law, even
ones administered by the state.
“Ultimately, it’s the township’s responsibil-
ity to make sure when people come onto
township property or to a township meeting
that they are following the law,” Selden said.
The boards of commissioners in Barry and
Eaton counties both declared respective states
of emergency in March regarding the ongoing
pandemic.
The Barry County Board of Commissioners
approved a resolution during its March 23
meeting declaring a state of emergency; the
Eaton County board approved the same reso-
lution March 17.
The resolution grants public bodies in the
county where the resolution was declared to
have the option to continue hosting meetings
virtually through the end of this year.Eaton County’s board approved the resolu-
tion to be renewed every seven days, and it
will be reviewed every month for future
renewal.
Barry County’s resolution is in effect
through Dec. 31 but can be rescinded at any
time, Jim Yarger, emergency management
coordinator, said Tuesday.
The only recourse townships have is asking
people to wear a mask, Prairieville Township
Trustee Ted DeVries said Monday.
“It’s not that big of a deal, I don’t think, to
wear a mask,” DeVries said.
Signage indicating masking and distancing
requirements while people are on Orangeville
Township Hall property will be posted there,
supervisor Tom Rook said March 26.
“You can give them the distance require-
ment, but you can’t force anyone to wear a
mask,” Rook said.
In Odessa Township in Ionia County, chairs
and tables at the township hall have been
spaced out to meet social distancing require-
ments, supervisor Dave Bulling said last
week.
“It’s like any store you go into now where
you’re supposed to be wearing a mask. Am I
going to make a big scene if nobody’s not?No. It’s just like any other public place you go
to,” Bulling said.
He said masks will be offered to people
who don’t have one on when they go into the
township hall.
“I just hope the people in Odessa Township
have the common courtesy to wear a mask,”
he said.
The Nashville Village Council has been
meeting in-person throughout much of the
pandemic. The council met at Putnam Park
last summer and moved to the Castleton
Township Hall in the fall. While council
members, and attendees, are seated 6 feet
apart, masks are not required. Some members
of the council wear them while entering the
building and taking their seats, but none of the
council members wear them during the meet-
ing.
The Maple Valley Board of Education
experienced technical issues during its regular
meeting in early March. It was the first meet-
ing since last summer where the board met
in-person, though the public attended virtual-
ly.
Each board member and Superintendent
Katherine Bertolini had a Chromebook and
microphone for the audience to see and hearthem, but the audience wasn’t always able to
do so
To prevent echoes and feedback, only one
person at a time was able to have his or her
microphone unmuted. But that meant much of
the crosstalk, and the actual vote-taking, was
mostly inaudible for the audience.
Several times technology specialist Josh
Leatherman had to remind the board members
to turn their microphones back on.
“Can somebody unmute so the gallery can
hear?” Leatherman asked during one conver-
sation.
“The gallery is unable to hear anything that
is going on,” he told the board later.
At one point, two or three of the
Chromebooks apparently stopped working,
and Leatherman got the board members
replacements while the meeting continued.
Some attendees and staff noted that three
members of the board were not wearing
masks, contrary to school policy. Two resi-
dents and the Maple Valley Education
Association read letters to the board admon-
ishing the members for not wearing masks.Staff writers Greg Chandler, Sean Bradley
and Taylor Owens contributed to this story.NOTICE OF REGISTRATION FOR THE
ELECTION TO BE HELD ON
TUESDAY, MAY 4, 2021
BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN
KALAMAZOO REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL SERVICE AGENCY (KRESA)
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the following proposals will
appear on the ballot:KRESA:
KALAMAZOO REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL SERVICE
AGENCY
SPECIAL EDUCATION MILLAGE RENEWAL
AND HEADLEE RESTORATION PROPOSAL
1.5 MILLS FOR 6 YEARSFull text of the ballot proposition may be obtained at the
administrative offices of Kalamazoo Regional
Educational Service Agency, 1819 East Milham Avenue,
Portage, Michigan 49002-3035, telephone:
(269) 250-9202.Sample ballots may be viewed at http://www.mi.gov/vote.NOTICE OF PUBLIC ACCURACY TESTNotice is hereby given that a Public Accuracy Test for the
May 4, 2021 election will be conducted by the clerks of the
named townships on the voting equipment pursuant to
MCL 168.798 at the addresses noted on the following
dates:April 20, 2021 at 10:00 am at BARRY TOWNSHIP HALL
155 E. Orchard Street. Delton, Michigan 49046
Townships participating in the April 20, 2021 date: Barry
TownshipApril 21, 2021 @ 10:00 am at
JOHNSTOWN TOWNSHIP HALL
13641 S. M-37 Hwy., Battle Creek, Michigan 49017
Townships participating in the April 21, 2021 date:
Johnstown TownshipApril 29, 2021 @ 11:00 am at PRAIRIEVILLE
TOWNSHIP HALL
10115 S. Norris Road, Delton, Michigan 49048
Townships participating in the April 29, 2021 date:
Prairieville TownshipThe Public Accuracy Test is conducted to demonstrate
that the program and the computer that will be used to
tabulate the results for the election have been prepared in
accordance with law.MONDAY, APRIL 19, 2021
LAST DAY FOR VOTER REGISTRATION OTHER THAN
IN-PERSONPersons with special needs, as defined in the Americans
with Disabilities Act, should contact the City or Township
Clerk. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech
impaired may place a call through the Michigan Relay
Center TDD#1-800-649-3777. This notice is given as
required by law (MCL 168.498(3).YOU MUST BE REGISTERED TO QUALIFY AS A VOTER!
QUALIFICATIONS TO VOTE
Citizen of the United States
At least 18 years of age on or before May 4, 2021
Resident of Michigan and the township/city where you are applying to vote.
PAMELA A. PALMER, BARRY COUNTY CLERK
on behalf of:
Barry Township Johnstown Township Prairieville Township
Deb Knight Sheri Babcock Rod Goebel
Township Clerk Township Clerk Township Clerk
TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS:The Barry County Townships of Barry, Johnstown, and Prairieville.COUNTY OF BARRY
STATE OF MICHIGANPLEASE TAKE NOTICE that any qualified elector of the above named jurisdictions who is not already registered, may
register to vote at the office of the Township or City Clerk; the Office of the appropriate County Clerk; a Secretary of
State branch office, or other designated state agency. Registration forms can be obtained at http://www.mi.gov/vote and
mailed to the Township or City Clerk. Voters who are already registered may update their registration at http://www.
expressSOS.com.The last day to register in any manner other than in-person with the local clerk is Monday, April 19, 2021.After this date, anyone who qualifies as an elector may register to vote in person with proof of residency (MCL 168.492)
at the following:Municipality Address Regular Business Hours Hours on
Saturday, May 1Hours on
Tuesday, May 4Debra Knight
Barry Township11300 S. M-43 Hwy.
Delton, MI 49046Wednesday 9 am – 5 pm 8:00 am – 4:00 pm 7:00 am – 8:00 pmSheri Babcock
Johnstown Twp.13641 S. M-
Battle Creek, MI 49017Monday & Wednesday
8 am – 4 pm or by Appt.8:00 am – 4:00 pm 7:00 am – 8:00 pmRod Goebel
Prairieville Twp.10115 S. Norris Road
Delton, MI 49046Mon – Thursday
9 am – noon & 1 pm - 5 pm8:00 am – 4 pm 7:00 am – 8:00 pmMEETING, continued from page 1
Banner CLASSIFIEDS
CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-
Business Services
MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI-
CATION and repair, custom
trailers, buckets, bale spears,
etc. Call 269-804-7506.
BUYING ALL HARD-
WOODS: Walnut, White
Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for
pricing. Will buy single Wal-
nut trees. Insured, liability &
workman’s comp. Fetterley
Logging, (269)818-7793.
BELLS CONSTRUCTION- 18
years experience. Dry wall,
painting, tile, flooring, trim,
home improvements, rubbish
removal. 269-320-3890.Help Wanted
EXCELLENT EMPLOYMENT
OPPORTUNITY! Pine Lake
Grocery is looking to hire
Part-time & Full-time Cashiers
& Pizza Cooks! Must be cool
& kind! Apply within @ 942
Doster Road, Plainwell, #269-
685-5323.PUBLISHER’S NOTICE:
All real estate advertising in this
newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing
Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act
which collectively make it illegal to
advertise “any preference, limitation or
discrimination based on race, color,
religion, sex, handicap, familial status,
national origin, age or martial status, or
an intention, to make any such
preference, limitation or discrimination.”
Familial status includes children under
the age of 18 living with parents or legal
custodians, pregnant women and people
securing custody of children under 18.
This newspaper will not knowingly
accept any advertising for real estate
which is in violation of the law. Our
readers are hereby informed that all
dwellings advertised in this newspaper
are available on an equal opportunity
basis. To report discrimination call the
Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980.
The HUD toll-free telephone number for
the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275.Treasury: Don’t wait to file
individual income tax returns
Michigan taxpayers who collected
unemployment benefits and have not yet filed
a state income tax return may file their returns
as soon as they are able, according to the
Michigan Department of Treasury.
The federal American Rescue Plan Act
excludes unemployment benefits up to
$10,200 from income for tax year 2020 for
those within certain income brackets,
providing tax relief on both federal and state
income taxes. Taxpayers who may have
anticipated owing taxes may now be entitled
to a refund.
“Please don’t hesitate to file your
individual income tax return,” State Treasurer
Rachael Eubanks said in a March 24 press
release. “Taxpayers who think they owe taxes
often wait to file right up to the filing deadline.
The American Rescue Plan changes the
dynamic of the 2020 tax year and this year’s
filing season. A larger-than-anticipated refund
could provide much-needed assistance during
the pandemic.”
At this time, taxpayers who collected
unemployment benefits and have already filed
their 2020 federal and state income tax returns
should not file an amended state or federal
return, she said. The Michigan Department of
Treasury is waiting for federal guidance to
help taxpayers receive any state refund they
may be owed in the easiest way possible.
Additional guidance will be coming from
the Michigan Department of Treasury soon.
Filing a state income tax return
Choosing electronic filing and direct
deposit is convenient, safe and secure,
Eubanks said. Last year, more than 4.4 million
Michigan taxpayers e-filed, which is 86
percent of state income tax filers.
More information about e-filing can be
found at mifastfile.org.
Printed tax forms were distributed and are
available in limited quantities at public
libraries, Michigan Department of Health and
Human Services county offices and treasury
field offices.
All individual income tax returns must be
received by 11:59 p.m. May 17.
For the benefit and convenience of
taxpayers, both the beginning and end of the
individual income tax filing season are the
same as the Internal Revenue Service.Questions
Taxpayers with questions about their state
income taxes are encouraged to use Treasury
eServices. The online platform enables
taxpayers to ask state income-tax-related
questions when convenient and avoids waiting
for a state treasury department customer
service representative to answer a call.
Treasury eServices can be accessed at
Michigan.gov/IncomeTax and clicking on
“eServices Individual Income Tax.”GET EASY CASH with extra
household goods and tools!
Call (269) 945-9554 to sell
your unwanted stuff with a
classified ad in this paper.