GALIEN TOWNSHIP NEWS

By DEBRA HAIGHT
BCR Correspondent

GALIEN – Galien Township is one of several area townships still working to find funding for their broadband expansion plans. The Berrien County Board of Commissioners set aside $6 million for matching grants earlier this year and is now looking to find other funding sources to help pay for local projects.

Commissioners voted earlier this month to extend the application deadline for townships from July 1 to October 31. So far, the county board has awarded two grants, one to Bainbridge Township for $562,500 and another to Oronoko Township for $700,000.

Galien Township Supervisor Gerald Mast reported last week that the township has been told that the county is pausing the awarding of more matching broadband grants. “Our application for broadband funds was put in abeyance by the county,” he said.

“An announcement came from the county that applications will be paused until a further study is completed by DCS Technologies for inventory and mapping services,” he added. “Additionally, the county intends to search for additional funding sources at the state and federal levels.”

Mast noted in February that the township has some of the worst broadband coverage in the county but also has other areas where their American Rescue Plan Act funds could be spent such as on fire equipment. The township is set to get around $92,000 in ARPA funds which must be spent by the end of 2024.

Berrien County Board Vice-Chair Teri Freehling has spearheaded the county’s broadband expansion efforts for the last few years, even before the pandemic brought home the need for better internet service. She is also chairwoman of the BC Bit taskforce which is the primary group handling the township applications.

She’s reported in recent weeks that the pause is needed for a number of reasons. Townships need more accurate data in order to submit more complete grant applications and that should be helped by the contract with DCS Technologies. In addition, county officials want to further explore what other funding is available for such projects.

The resolution approved by the county board on May 12 notes those factors in extending the application deadline. Their goal is “to provide every opportunity for the local entities to expand or improve their broadband infrastructure.”

In other Galien Township news, Mast reported that the township has in fact put the road assessment renewal on the August ballot. Residents will be asked to renew the $60 per parcel assessment to fund the repair and improvement of county roads.

The township’s medical marijuana moratorium is set to expire and Mast said the consensus from the board is to not extend it. The township was one of the first to allow medical marijuana facilities in the township but then put a moratorium in place on accepting any more. Galien has never approved allowing recreational marijuana businesses.

He noted that board members believe that the initial purpose of the moratorium has passed, especially since there are no additional medical grow licenses the township can give out.

Galien Township is also joining the growing list of communities in this area and around the state concerned about short term rentals. The issue has become a hot one both here and in Lansing.

Disputes over short term rentals have led to recall efforts in the city of New Buffalo. In Lansing, legislation proposed last year to take control of short term rental properties away from local municipalities never gained enough traction to pass.

Mast said the township board was presented with a short term rental ordinance draft for review and consideration. He expects further discussion on the proposed ordinance at the board’s June meeting. The board meets the third Wednesday of each month.