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Township History
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1/31/41
Committees for Red Cross and other war relief were appointed to represent South Haven Township for the duration of the war were by district as follows:

District #3 - Miss E. Moore, chairman with C. Leisenring and Mrs. W. Dickerson
District #4 - Mrs. J. Hosking, chairman with Mrs. R. Monroe, John Harsch, 
Mrs. E. Villwock
District #5 - C. F. Brown, chairman with Mrs. Joe Zacsek, Mr. Dobes, Mrs. H. Brown
District #6 - F. Roca, chairman with George Jillson, Mrs. H. Muske
District #7 - Wm. Kuhn, Jr., chairman with Mrs. H. Landry Mrs. F. Gunterberg
District #8 - M. G. Austin, chairman with Floyd Whetham
General Township chairman - John A. Schnake

Supervisor salary/yr - $500, 1/2 phone expense and $50/yr auto expense
Clerk salary/yr - $225, 1/2 phone expense and $25/yr auto expense
Treasurer salary - 1/2 phone expense, $500 for necessary trips to Paw Paw, extending 
Tax notice, addressing and mailing $15 - election board $.50/hr
Health Officer - $2.50/acre for posting and reporting - $5/case for fumigation - all other
Cases service $5

10/14/41 
Resolution resolved that the city of South Haven be authorized to permit owners of property abutting the city to connect with the city's sanitary sewer system "on terms mutually agreeable"

1/12/42 
South Haven Township purchase "G" U.S. Savings Bonds at two for $500 and four for $1000

4/3/43 
A locker was build for the storage of township records.

3/23/43
Tyndall Haluber, RN, was paid for the following cases:
23 cases of mumps $46
2 cases of scarlet fever $10
1 case chicken pox $ 5
1 case pink eye $ 5
Township to Health Dept. $ 5
Mileage to Health Dept. $ 6.75
Visits to Schools $10
Total $87.75

6/14/44 
Mrs. Gertrude Van Dyke appeared before the board requesting renewal of dance hall license for the Hayloft.

3/20/45 
The meeting was called to order by Supervisor Schnake and the board proceeded to check the accounts, as is the rule, all were found to be in order.

4/1/46 Annual Meeting 
The matter of extension of water main from the city to township was discussed. Mr. Randolph B. Monroe offered two public acts that would enable the township board to provide an extension of water mains. They are P.A. 47, 1941 and P.A. 107, 1941.

Mr. Clarence Fritz explained that a reduction in fire insurance rates for certain properties if fire hydrants were installed.

Mr. Sidney Smith, superintendent of the BPW of the city of South Haven explained it would be necessary for those persons interested to determine where, how far and what size mains would be required. This list would then be presented to the BPW for the cost and supplying water. Mr. Smith made the statement that the City of South Haven would NOT finance the project.

A motion was made by Mr. Wilson and supported by Jens Torp that persons further interested should prepare a petition for method of financing to the township for further action and cost estimate from the BPW. Motion carried

4/5/45 
No health officer or orchard inspector has been appointed pending further action on information from the State Dept.

5/25/45 
Wendell E. Dickerson having been elected on 4/2/45 for the 4-year term as member of the Board of Review and not having qualified for office, it was suggested that the Board find a party to finish out his term. Wm. Barringer accepted the appointment. 

10/3/45 
The question of extension of water mains from the city to certain portions of the township was discussed. Mrs. Caroline Johnson worked several days in the Register of Deed's office to secure records of property transfer. She was paid $15 for her efforts.
It was moved by R.B. Monroe and supported by H.W. Lang that in the event any group of property owners in the township should desire to form a water association on work toward the establishment of a special assessment district for extension of water mains, the township board will cooperate with them in any way provided by law. Motion carried.

10/20/46 
Mr. Monroe presented a petition signed by residents of South Shore Rd. and also from along M-140 requesting the township board to call a meeting to discuss the facts to have extension of water mains into the township from the city.

A meeting with township officials and Sidney Smith from BPW would be held before a meeting of the residents could be called. Motion carried.

Mr. Monroe moved and supported by Lang that a meeting of the township be called at the same time as the annual meeting and that all facts and figures and manner of financing could be presented at that time. Motion carried. 

10/30/46 
Moved by Monroe and supported by Leisenning that NO TAX be spread by township expense account, and that one mill be spread for "Library Debt Service".

12/19/46 
The clerk received a sum of $100 from the work of re-registration elections.

3/26/47 
The following election board was appointed to serve until 4:00 p.m. at the spring election held 4/7/47 - Fred Partridge, George Jillson, Kent Drake, Josephine Heald and Mrs. Fred Presley. Marie Harsh and Dorothy Stieve to serve from 6:00 p.m. till close.

7/7/47 
A meeting was called for the purpose of approving a plat for the Lambert subdivision. Motion by Lounsberry and supported by Drake that the plat be approved as submitted by T.A. Smith, surveyor. Motion carried.

10/10/47 
A letter from the VB county road commission was read requesting assistance from the township for snow removal for the upcoming winter 1947-48 for a sum of $1000 upon presentation of a bill to the board in the spring.

2/19/48 
A letter was sent to Mr. Wm. Trade regarding the parking of cars to close to the road near the tavern called "The Cabins" on M-140.

3/19/49 
The books were audited and all was found in order.

The following people were appointed to serve on the election board:
John Schnake, chairman
Chas. Leisenning, Josephine Heald, Mrs. Geo. Hooper and Hope Parker

4/8/49
The following persons were elected:
W. H. Knapp - Supervisor
Kent Drake - Justice of Peace
Frank Lounsberry - Treasurer
H. W. Lang - Clerk
Ed Stieve - Highway Committee
Frank Antonson - Constable
James Hoskings - Justice of Peace
Carlotta Hasberg - Library Board
W. H. Smith - Board of Review
C. J. Lancaster - Janitor

4/3/50 
It was moved by Leisenning, supported by Lounsberry that the township pay 1/8 of the cost for a stoplight to be placed at the intersection of US 31 and Phoenix Rd. the amount of our share not to exceed $300. The balance to be shared as follows:
1/2 State
1/4 County
1/8 City of South Haven
Motion carried.

A verbal request by Carl York for a hot rod race track at the Trude property. Request was tabled for further consideration.

A letter from the Liquor Control Commission approving or disproving a request from the Clifford Welborn Post No. 279 American Legion for a club license for their property on the airport road, east of M-140. Moved by Lounsberry, supported by Leisenning to approve application. Motion carried.

4/10/50 
Mr. R. B. Monroe offered objections to granting a license. The clerk was to send a letter to all residents within a radius of 1/2 mile and asking them to come to a board meeting on 5/2/50 at 7:30 p.m.

5/2/50 
Concerning racetrack - after reading letters returned and listening to opinions of people present, the racetrack was voted down 5-1. Motion by Leisenning, supported by R. B. Monroe that the license be refused. Motion carried.

4/9/51 
The following resolution was adopted: for the qualified electors who are residents in the N1/2 of NE fractional 1/4 of section 16, township one south range 17W on the following question:
Shall properties in this area be annexed to the city of South Haven, Van Buren County, Michigan:
The voting went as follows: 23 yes and 13 no. Moved by Monroe and supported by Leisenning.

6/5/52 
It was moved by Kent Drake and supported by Lounsberry that the bid from Yerrington for black topping certain roads be accepted providing that the county road commission assume the expense of the gravel and delivery of the gravel to the road beds as specified once the township pay the balance which is as follows:
Cherry St., Chambers St., Stone Road (Sherman Road), Stieve Rd. and Schnake Rd. in the amount of $23,799.15. Motion carried.

9/8/52 and 10/18/52 
Contract for construction of Spring Hill and Roxy roads was awarded to Lavern R. Rice from Hartford in the not to exceed price of $6490 (Spring Hill) and $7985.40 (Roxy). Construction would begin right away.

10/18/52 
Petition was filed with the township for "Spirits by the Glass". Finding that all was in order this proposal would be placed on the 11/5/52 ballot.

11/5/52 
Residents voted on above petition with 460 yes and 397 no and 47 not valid. Resolved the proposition did carry.

6/23/53 
A discussion regarding the adoption of a Zoning Ordinance for the township was held. It was the opinion of the board that such an ordinance could possibly be of benefit to the township.

8/25/53 
Edwin Stieve and supported by F. Lounsberry consult Atty. R. B. Monroe about an ordinance to control building in the township. If a suitable ordinance can be drawn up, the residents should be notified of a public meeting to be held in late October at the hall. Copies of the ordinance should be circulated in advance of the meeting. Meeting to be held for the purpose to determine if changes in the ordinance be made or if it should be adopted. Motion carried.

3/22/54 
It was moved by r. Sherman and supported by E. Stieve that the question of a building ordinance for the township be tabled until a further date. Motion carried.

It was moved by Stieve and supported by Sherman that the township contribute the sum of $200 to the South Haven Airport. Motion carried.

5/31/55 
The renewal of the permit for the Hayloft was rejected by the board because of the problem of noise caused by patrons at the Saturday night dances.

8/9/55 
Ruth Monroe resigned as a member of library board - Pearl Urist was appointed to fill the rest of her term.

1/28/56 
Irving Goldberg filed an application for a junkyard license. The application included two checks for $25 and a bond for $200. E. Stieve motion, supported by R. Sherman that the license for the junk yard be denied by the board because of the following reasons:
120 signatures was more that 65% of owners against that in accordance with paragraph 7 of Resolution No. 2 of the township effective 9/20/387, clerk shall return monies received for license fee and bond fee. License denied.

3/9/56 
Added to Resolution No. 2 "Ordinance to License" to regulate used car lots.

3/20/56 
The Goldberg's once again submitted a check for $25 license fee and $200 for bond in accordance with Resolution No. 2. It was moved by Stieve and supported by Sherman that the clerk return the checks and that they be requested to file an application in compliance with Resolution as amended 3/10/56 and effective 3/20/56.

The township board took steps to appoint a Zoning Board to make a study of the township or prepare necessary procedures leading to the adoption of a Zoning Ordinance for the township with the provision of Act 184 of P.A. of 1943 as amended

The zoning board shall consist of a seven member advisory board of 2-5 members. Moved by Hope Parks and supported by E. Stieve that the resolution be adopted. Motion carried.

The following persons were tentatively appointed to acquaint themselves with the duties of such a board and to assure us of a permanently functioning board to comply with all provisions of the law:
Maurice Olson, Frank Lambert, Ivan Stein, Mrs. Ted Neuoffer, T. Richard Tinsley, Frank Antonson, Harvey Hollis. Advisory board: Wm. McDonald, Pierce Barner and Charles Valkner. Moved and supported. Motion carried.

4/5/56 
The township board will meet on the 17th of April at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of affirming resolution and appointing a qualifying a permanent board. Notice of meeting was published in the South Haven Tribune written 10 days of the adoption of this resolution.

6/6/56 
Resolution: Whereas it is deemed in the best interest of traffic safety that streetlights be installed at certain hazardous locations along county roads with the township. Be it resolved that the township board of South Haven Township request the board of county road commission of Van Buren county provide, install and maintain street lights at the intersections of the following locations:
E. Wells St. and US 31
South Haven/Geneva Township line
Summit Rd. and Phoenix
Aylworth and Summit Rd. west of jog
M-43 and Summit Rd. and Maple Grove Rd.
M-140 and Maple Grove Rd.
South Shore Rd. and US 31 (Deerlick Point)
South Shore Rd. and Pilgrim Haven Rd.
Law School (Schnake) and M-43
Airport Rd. and Summit Rd.
Airport Rd. and M-a40
Airport Rd. and US 31
Township board agreed to pay an annual sum of $23.40/light directly to the BPW. This would be reviewed yearly at the regular meeting in July.

6/14/56 
The township board again denied the Goldberg's their application for a junkyard in Sec. 14 and returned their fee of $25 and $200.

7/3/56 
Ivan Stein resigned from the township zoning board because he had been appointed to the Van Buren County Zoning Board. Mr. Chas. Valkner to be appointed to replace Mr. Stein.

9/14/56 
AVM Corporation was paid $330.45 for two voting machines #92799 and #92800. Cost was $150 each plus $30.45 for delivery.

2/6/57
The township had been renting the voting machines and they agreed that the balance be paid off from the Government Bond fund.

3/19/57 
Annual audit performed and all was balanced.

4/3/57 
Board would like to see a state park somewhere in Van Buren County along the bluff of Lake Michigan. Moved and supported that a resolution be adopted and a copy sent to Sen. Edw. Hutchison with copy to Representative Edson Root. Motion carried.

5/1/57 
More streetlights were ordered for the township with same terms and conditions as previous order.

9/4/57 
Mitchell Bros. purchased an old horse-drawn grader that was in very poor condition after 20 years of service. The brothers paid $15 for it.

10/2/57 
Moved and supported that the plat of Marwood Subdivision located in the west fractional of Sec. 21 be approved by the board and the clerk affix his signature thereto. Motion carried.

4/18/58 
Propose sewer project - Cherry St. Mr. Warshawsky presented to the board a petition bearing names of 26 property owners requesting the board to take the necessary steps for the const4ruction of a sanitary sewer abutting the lands described:
US31 (east side) Crook St. to 6th Ave.
US 31 (west side) Superior to 6th Ave.
6th Ave. Cherry St east 1200 ft.
Superior St Cherry to US 31
Chambers St. Cherry to US 31
Cherry St. 6th Ave. west 600 ft,
Cherry St. Superior to Chambers
Leonard Markstrom appointed to board of Assessors for Special assessment sewer district 4/2/58

5/2/58
The Levertons, Tesluks, and Kelloggs were present at the meeting and voiced their concerns about connecting to the city sewer system. They stated that they were already connected to the city and could see no reason to pay again to a new sewer hookup to their property.

A special meeting was scheduled for 5/22/58 for a review of the special assessment roll to be held at township hall at 8:00 p.m. Notices would be published and posted in three public places.

5/7/58 
Charles Halloch came before the board to ask permission of the use of Maple Grove school to use the township hall for grades 5 and 6. The request was backed up by the Fire Marshall stating school was crowded. No action taken until more information was received from the State Fire Marshall's office.

5/19/58 
Special meeting was called by Meyer Warshawsky, attorney for Van Buren County road commission and asked the town board to pass a resolution as soon as possible to enable the BPW to advertise for bids and award contracts for the special sewer assessment district.

6/4/58 
A plat of the subdivision known as Springhill Acres was presented for approval by the board being in compliance with the requirements of Sec. 30, Act 172 of 1929 as amended. Was moved and supported that the plat be approved as presented.

7/2/58
Fire Chief Lester Olmstead present to the board an outline to use existing irrigation ponds and other sources of water supply to fight fires.

Mr. Torp reported he had been called upon by a representative of the State Fire Marshall's office who stated that some alterations had to be made to the hall before it could be used as classrooms. The exact nature of the requirements were sent in a letter to Maple Grove School district by the fire marshall.

9/3/58 
Letter from James Schnake was read in which he stated as follows:
Please accept my resignation as Trustee of South Haven Township Board, as I'm no longer a resident of South Haven Township. Moved and supported. Charles Wilson be appointed to serve out the unexpired term of Schnake. Motion carried.

12/2/58 
Moved and supported that the plat of Evergreen Bluff be approved by the board. Clerk's signature was affixed to the document. Motion carried.

1/7/59 
Letter was received from the South Haven Township Improvement Association asking for a progress report on a dump location.

Moved and supported that the BPW be advised of the acceptance of the terms in their letter this date to extend the sewer tap to the property line of the township hall at a cost of $80 plus $1.95 service charge per month. Motion carried.

Mr. L. Ingram was sole heir to the John Kirschman Estate. It was suggested to the township board that they should negotiate with Mr. Ingram for purchase of property for the township dump.

5/6/59 
Mr. Ingram stated that he did not want to sell the property at this time. The board must now search for another property for a dumpsite.

6/3/59 
Eight residents in the immediate vicinity of the "Hayloft" to protect the granting of a dance hall license.

A proposed used car lot ordinance for the township was read. Torp suggested that the local used car dealers be invited to attend a meeting to discuss the ordinance.

8/8/59 
The board in the best interest of the public and people of the township that all public highway points of access to Lake Michigan be retained as public property. There are three such places in the township.

11/4/59 
Moved by Torp and supported by Lambert that a 1% collection fee be collected on all 1959 taxes until 2/29/60. Motion carried.





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