Calhoun County to hold easements for 140‑mile trailway; residents voice funding and notice concerns

The Calhoun County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 19 voted to authorize Calhoun County to hold easements for the proposed 140‑mile Calhoun County Trailway System, a project intended to connect Battle Creek with Homer, Ceresco, Albion and Marshall.

The motion, introduced by Commissioner Rocho and supported by Commissioner Haadsma, passed on a roll call vote of 6‑0 with Commissioner Rae excused. The resolution states the Board believes recording the easements is in the best interest of the Parks Trustee Board and that the county should hold the easements on its behalf.

Tom Garnett, president of the Calhoun County Trailway Alliance, told commissioners the Alliance expects to break ground in 2009 from the Battle Creek Linear Trail and has secured three easement commitments so far, with five anticipated for the first section. Garnett said the Alliance intends to apply first to the Michigan Department of Transportation for non‑motorized trail construction funds and will then seek a Department of Natural Resources grant, while raising an estimated $150,000 in local matching funds.

“As part of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, the public review process has occurred,” Garnett said, and he told the Board the Alliance would not force access onto private property and is exploring maintenance funding through foundations and the national trailway system.

Several residents urged caution. Marshall resident Creighton Burrows said landowners along the proposed route had not been asked for easements and that he had not seen a plan showing which side of the river the trail would run. “No one has asked me for an easement; I have not even seen the proposed plan,” Burrows said, arguing that the project risks getting the “cart before the horse.”

Battle Creek resident Jeff Donier and others echoed concerns about notification and funding, and resident David Converse raised broader economic worries, asking what actions the Board would take to relieve property tax burdens amid foreclosures and unemployment.

Commissioners asked about alignment (Comr. Camp asked whether the trail was proposed for the north side of the river), maintenance responsibilities, and whether landowners would be required to maintain trail segments. Garnett said landowners would not be required to maintain trails and that other funding sources are being pursued for long‑term maintenance. Kelli Sproule, County Administrator/Controller, confirmed management and Corporation Counsel reviewed the request and that the county was not being asked to fund easements themselves.

Next steps outlined in the meeting record: the Alliance will pursue the MDOT and DNR grant opportunities and the Board anticipated a request to support the DNR grant application by April 1. The resolution authorizes the county to hold easements; any specific easement recordings, alignment details and maintenance arrangements will be determined as easements are negotiated and grant conditions set.