The Hastings Banner — Thursday, April 22, 2021 — Page 9Broadband expansion efforts
put on hold by permit delays
Greg Chandler
Staff Writer
Irving Township residents who were hop-
ing to get broadband internet service extended
into the township will likely have to wait until
next year, and that has township officials feel-
ing frustrated.
Great Lakes Energy, a rural electric power
cooperative based in Northern Michigan, was
planning to extend its Truestream broadband
service into Irving Township as part of an
overall effort to expand service to western
Barry and eastern Allegan counties. However,
the cooperative ran into a roadblock when it
came to crossing land in the Barry State Game
Area.
“We went to apply to the [Michigan
Department of Natural Resources] for an
easement,” Great Lakes vice president Shari
Culver said in a telephone interview
Wednesday. “The state had originally pur-
chased the land from the federal government.
This was our understanding. When that hap-
pened, the federal government first has to
approve the application and then send it back
to the DNR for approval.
“We submitted [our permit application] in
October 2020 and are waiting to get that back
from the DNR. From our understanding,
they’re waiting on the federal government to
get approval. Once [the federal government
gets] approval, they’ll come back to their pro-
cess and look at our permit application, and
hopefully give us approval.”
Culver said at this point, she does not
expect Great Lakes to move ahead with
fiber-optic installation this year.
“We had to pull back our resources. We
had planned to build this year, in 2021, but we
just couldn’t take the chance of waiting six
months, nine months, whatever it may be until
get approval, and having all those contractors
and suppliers just sitting there. So, we reallo-
cated our resources to Oceana County,” she
said. “What we’re hoping is that we receive
the permits this year so that we can then build
in [2022].”
Township Clerk Sharon Olson received an
update on the delay in Great Lakes’ plans last
weekend and spoke to a company representa-
tive.
“I just think there’s got to be somebody
that we can talk to at some level that would
see it as [a critical need], especially under the
circumstances with everybody locked at
home, working from home,” Olson said at
Tuesday’s township board meeting.
The township hall is currently served by
HughesNet, a satellite-based communications
provider. Olson said the quality of service at
the hall varies throughout the day.
“My internet speed tonight when I came
back after dinner was so much better than it’s
been all day long [that I’ve been] trying to do
work here, because everybody’s on it,” Olson
said. “We need that service just for people to
work from home. It’s a disservice to our com-
munity.”
Township Treasurer Alesse Cross was so
frustrated with the lack of available internet
service in the township that she and a neigh-
bor invested $5,000 last year to have a
100-foot-high tower installed to receive ser-
vice from MEI.
“[The signal is based on] line of sight, and
we live in the woods, with tall trees,” Cross
said after Tuesday’s meeting. “They took a
bucket truck out and put it all the way up and
they said, ‘You’re still going to need 40 or 50
feet on top of where our bucket truck can go
to be able to see [the tower]. Our neighbors
were having the same problem. They have
kids in school. They were needing internet.
So, we went in together [on the tower].”
County Commissioner Jon Smelker saidduring Tuesday’s county board meeting that
he would speak with fellow Commissioner
Catherine Getty, who serves on a countywide
broadband committee, regarding the Great
Lakes delay.“Dealing with the state and the DNR is not
the easiest thing, but we’ll see if we can do
something,” Smelker said.
Culver said she understands the frustration
of those who are waiting for high-speed
broadband access in Irving Township and
other areas of Barry County.
“We chose the Middleville circuit as an
area we were going to come to first because
we know there’s a huge need there and
because that group has been pretty vocal on
our Facebook pages,” she said. “We know
there’s a need there. They’ve been supportive
of the project
“We will get there. It’s just unfortunately
delayed right now for 2021, and we’re look-
ing at 2022.”From Time to Time
Call 269-945-9554 for Hastings Banner ads
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CITY OF HASTINGS
RUTLAND TWP SAD SIDEWALKS PROJECT
HASTINGS, MICHIGANSealed proposals for the construction of the RUTLAND TWP SAD SIDEWALKS
PROJECT will be received by the City of Hastings, 201 East State Street, Hastings,
Michigan 49058, until 9:00 a.m., Local Time on Thursday, May 6, 2021.Bidders shall review and comply with the Instructions to Bidders, which are incorporated
by reference, and carefully review all Contract Documents, as defined in the Instructions to
Bidders. Bids submitted after the exact time specified will not be considered.The Contracts will consist of the following principal items of work and appurtenances as
specified herein and shown on the Contract Drawings.Description of WorkThe contract will consist furnishing of labor, materials, equipment, and construction of the
following:- Approximately 556-ft. of 5-ft. wide concrete sidewalk along the north side of West
State Street (M-37/M-43). - Connections with existing sidewalks at the ends of each section.
- Restoration of the disturbed areas including placement of topsoil seed and mulch,
and replacement of items as shown on the plans. - Soil erosion and sedimentation control measures as required.
- Construction to begin on or about Monday, May 24, 2021 and be substantially
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Bidders, subcontractors, and suppliers are encouraged to register with HRC to be notified
of addenda and relevant bid information. Bids received from unregistered bidders will be
rejected. Hard copy plans and specifications will be available at Hastings City Hall for
viewing only after April 13, 2021.Questions regarding this project should be addressed to: Hubbell, Roth & Clark, Inc., 1925
Breton SE, St. 100; Grand Rapids, MI 49506, via email at: [email protected]. All
questions must be received by Friday, April 23, 2021.Each bidder agrees to waive any claim it has or may have against the Owner, the
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envelope clearly marked “BID FOR RUTLAND TWP SAD SIDEWALKS” provided and
shall be accompanied by a certified check, cashier’s check or bid bond, executed by the bidder
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be withdrawn after scheduled closing time for receiving bids for at least ninety (90) days.The successful bidder will be required to furnish satisfactory Performance and Payment
Bonds. The Owner reserves the right to reject all bids and to waive irregularities in bidding.CITY OF HASTINGS, MICHIGANTravis Tate, PE
DIRECTOR OF DPSThe trees we breathe
Dr. Universe:
How do trees give us air to breathe?
Jamar, 11, Vineland, N. J.Dear Jamar,
Our planet is home to all kinds of
different plants, and they help make a lot of
the oxygen we breathe. To find out how
plants make oxygen, I asked my friend
Balasaheb Sonawane.
Sonawane is a scientist at Washington
State University who researches
photosynthesis, or the ways plants use
energy from the sun and make oxygen. He
said that in a way, plants breathe, too.
“They don’t have a nose or mouth,”
Sonawane said. “They have tiny microscopic
organs on their leaves called stomata.”
The stomata allow gases to move in and
out of a leaf. We breathe oxygen gas, but
plants take in carbon dioxide gas using the
stomata on their leaves.
Meanwhile, plants use their leaves to
help absorb energy from sunlight. They also
suck up water through their roots.
Water is one key thing plants need to
make oxygen. You may remember that
atoms are like building blocks. When two
or more atoms get together, we get a
molecule. For instance, one oxygen atom
and two hydrogen atoms make a water
molecule.
During photosynthesis, plants can
convert Sun energy into energy they can
use to make sugar from the carbon dioxide
molecules. When this happens, water
molecules break apart and form oxygen
molecules — the air we breathe.
Along with oxygen, plants also let a
little water vapor out of their stomata. This
is important for humans and other animals
because it can be hard to breathe in dry
environments. The moisture and oxygenhelp our lungs keep working.
In the ocean, phytoplankton produce
about half of the oxygen in the air. Like
plants on land, they use carbon dioxide,
sunlight and water as they produce food and
oxygen.
Plants and phytoplankton both need
carbon dioxide to do their work, but now
there is too much carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere and it contributes to climate
change.
“Humans generate a huge amount of
carbon dioxide as they burn fossil fuels in
cars, planes and industries,” Sonawane
said. “Plants are helping us reduce the
levels of carbon dioxide, but they cannot do
enough to make Earth’s environment
happy.”
The good news is there are ways to help
reduce carbon dioxide in the air.
First, humans can try to avoid doing
things that release carbon dioxide gas.
Instead of taking a car that releases carbon
dioxide, you might walk or ride a bike
when you can. We also can plant more new
trees on the planet.
“To make a happy and healthy
environment, we need to plant more and
more trees,” he said.
Perhaps, you and your friends can work
with your town or city to help plant new
trees in your neighborhood. The next time
you see a tree, remember all of the amazing
things it does to give us air to breathe.Dr. UniverseDo you have a question? Ask Dr.
Universe. Send an email to Washington
State University’s resident scientist and
writer at [email protected] or visit her
website, askdruniverse.com.SpartanNash celebrating Earth Week with
Goodwill partnership, in-store savings
To celebrate Earth Week and highlight its
commitment to corporate responsibility,
SpartanNash has announced a slate of Earth-
friendly initiatives companywide April 23-25.
For the 10th year, SpartanNash is teaming
up with Goodwill Industries partners to hold
Earth Week donation drives for customers and
company associates. Customers who bring in
donations to any participating Goodwill store
between Friday, April 23, and Sunday, April
25, will receive a coupon book of savings.
“At SpartanNash, we love Earth Week,
because it allows us to engage and educate
our associates, store guests and communities
while celebrating and promoting
environmental stewardship,” Meredith
Gremel vice president of corporate affairs and
communications said. “We were disappointed
when we had to cancel our Earth Week plan in
2020 due to COVID-19, but we are excited to
bring back our Goodwill partnership this year.
We also take this opportunity to raise
awareness for the need to recycle, reuse and
support Goodwill and its mission of
reinvesting in workforce development
training.”
The book of savings includes coupons for
organic and ecofriendly products – as well as
a coupon for $10 off a $25 or more purchase,
redeemable at Family Fare, D&W Fresh
Market and other SpartanNash company-
owned store.
Participating Goodwill locations can be
found at spartannash.com/earth-week.
“We are excited to continue our partnership
with Goodwill and challenge our associates
and store guests to do some spring cleaning
for a good cause,” Gremel said. “By donating
clothing, electronics and household items to
Goodwill, we can reduce landfill waste, in
addition to the great feeling of knowing these
donations are generating thousands of hours
of workforce development training in our
communities.”
SpartanNash associates throughout the
company’s 16-state footprint are invited to
participate by bringing their donations to their
local Goodwill store or other nonprofit partner
as part of the company’s Earth Week
initiatives.
Since 2011, SpartanNash’s Earth Week
Goodwill donation drives have collected 1.
million pounds of donations, equal to more
than 282,400 hours of workforce development
training in the communities we serve.Rutland board receives master plan
update, approves gravel road resolution
Sophie Bates
Staff Writer
The Rutland Charter Township Board of
Trustees last Wednesday heard a presentation
from Bradley Kotrba, a Williams & Works
project manager and senior planner, about
updating the township’s master plan.
The township hired Williams & Works — a
Grand Rapids-based engineering, surveying
and planning company — to assist in updating
the township’s master plan, which was last
amended in October 2010.
Kotrba presented the board with findings
from an online survey designed to gather
feedback and input from township residents
about their priorities for the community.
The survey consisted of 28 questions and
was put online in mid-December 2020. The
survey also was available at the township hall,
where residents could stop by and fill it out.
The survey closed Feb. 1 with 7 to 8 percent
of the township’s residents providing
responses.
“[That] doesn’t seem like very much,”
Kotrba said. “In the world of surveys, if you
can accomplish more than 10 percent or get
anywhere close to 15 percent of respondents,
you get pretty excited because that’s actually
a lot of people responding back.”
Kotrba outlined the main takeaways from
the survey.
Respondents indicated a desire to protect
groundwater and surface water and support
land development for parks and recreationaluses. Respondents did not want large-scale
commercial or industrial expansion in the
township, but said they would like to see
personal services businesses — such as
restaurants and small shops — in the township.
Additionally, they expressed interest in
development of agri-tourism and a year-round
farmers market.
The survey will provide guidance as the
township planning commission updates the
master plan.
The board approved a $1,100 fee for the
survey.
The board also approved a resolution and
contract with the Barry County Road
Commission for dust control and gravel
expenditures to be completed in 2021, which
will be paid for using the approximately
$156,000 in road millage funds collected in
2021.
The road repairs will cover all gravel roads
in the township — except those in the Yankee
Springs Recreation Area uninhabited by
residents. The township will expend $42,
in road millage funds for 2021 road services,
in addition to $85,000 already allocated for
this year by the township’s four-year road
plan.
The board also approved an amendment to
the township’s future land use map. The
amendment changed the classification of 24
acres — owned by Carl Algera and located at
1331 N. M-37 Highway, Hastings — from
county residential to medium-densityresidential. The classification change allows
Algera to move forward with plans to develop
the property into 36 single-family dwellings.
The amendment will be distributed for
review by the general public for a 42-day
comment period.
In other business, the board approved:- A motion to pursue bids for a new public
address system, including eight new
microphones. Board trustees said the new
technology is needed because it is often
difficult to hear each other and the audience
during socially-distanced meetings. Clerk
Robin Hawthorne estimated the current
township PA system is more than 18 years
old. - A motion to add a discussion on the
township’s blight ordinance to the May
township board meeting agenda. - A motion not to review the township’s
sign ordinance. The board discussed reviewing
the ordinance at last month’s meeting due to
changes in sign regulations from the Michigan
Supreme Court. After review from zoning
administrator Les Raymond, the board
determined the ordinance is in compliance
with the new regulations and does not need to
be reviewed by township Attorney Craig
Rolfe. - An amendment to the township’s 1992
sewer agreement with the City of Hastings for
30 years. - A permit for temporary firework tent
sales at 1450 W. M-43 Highway.
SOCIAL SECURITY
MATTERS
April’s a perfect time to plan for the future
Vonda Van Til
Public Affairs Specialist
April is Financial Literacy Month, a time
focused on educating people about the
importance of planning for a secure financial
future.
Social Security is a vital part of any
financial plan. We have online tools to help
you understand your potential Social Security
benefits and how they fit into your financial
future.
You should periodically review your
Social Security Statement with your personal
My Social Security account at ssa.gov/
myaccount. Your statement is an easy-to-read
summary of the estimated benefits you and
your family could receive, including potential
retirement, disability and survivor’s benefits.Additionally, our Plan for Retirement tool
in your My Social Security account allows
you to run various benefit estimate scenarios.
You can compare different future earnings
and retirement benefit start dates for how they
could affect your benefit amount.
Start improving your financial literacy
today by logging in to your My Social Security
account. If you don’t have an account, create
one at ssa.gov/myaccount.Vonda Van Til is the public affairs
specialist for West Michigan. You may write
her c/o Social Security Administration, 3045
Knapp NE, Grand Rapids MI 49525, or via
email to [email protected].“We need that service just
for people to work from
home. It’s a disservice to
our community.”
Sharon Olson,
Township Clerk