Plymouth committee backs return of printed newsletter, recommends contract with Hometown Press

The Plymouth Township planning committee voted to recommend that the full township council contract with Hometown Press to produce a twice-yearly printed newsletter and an introductory welcome packet for new residents.

A guest from Hometown Press, Greg Cook, told the committee the company provides municipal magazine-style newsletters with design and printing at no charge; the only expected township expense would be postage and mail-preparation fees. "These are provided to you at no cost," Cook said, adding that Hometown Press funds production by selling advertising and that the township would have final approval of all participating sponsors and proofs before printing.

Committee members asked about production timing, distribution and cost. Cook said Hometown Press uses a seven-week production window and that most small municipalities publish two issues a year (spring/summer and fall/winter). He described every-door-direct-mail (EDDM) carrier-route bundling, potential mail-prep fees and a range of per-piece postage costs used to estimate mailing expenses. The group discussed alternatives including mailing lists, deliveries to apartment lobbies and placing a digital flip-book or PDF on the township website.

Members supported including a free "welcome packet" for new residents — a folder the township could populate with maps, polling-place information and QR codes linking to services — paid for by advertisers. Committee members also reviewed past Plymouth newsletters and samples from neighboring communities, debating balance of advertising vs. content and whether twice-yearly issues could cover six months of township information in concise, user-friendly formats such as pull-out calendars and maps.

After discussion, a committee member moved "that we recommend to the council that they have a contract with Hometown Press to produce a newsletter twice a year and an introductory package;" another member seconded, and the motion passed. The committee agreed to present the recommendation at an upcoming council workshop and asked staff to obtain postage and mailhouse quotes to include with the council materials.

The committee also approved the previous meeting minutes earlier in the session. Staff and volunteers were assigned to prepare color and image proposals for the township’s website redesign and to compile sample newsletters and a cost estimate for mailing ahead of the council workshop. The committee indicated a preference for beginning with a fall issue, given the vendor’s seven-week schedule.

The item will move to the council workshop for final consideration; committee members said they expected council discussion but hoped to inform the product’s format and content before council action.