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Sand Lake council authorizes negotiations with Cedar Springs, will notify townships it plans to end village fire coverage
Summary
At its Dec. 15 meeting the Sand Lake Village Council authorized the village president to negotiate a fire-services contract with the City of Cedar Springs and voted to notify Ensley, Pierson and Nelson Townships that the village intends to cease providing fire services at the end of the current contract; one council member opposed the motions.
The Village of Sand Lake Village Council on Dec. 15 authorized the village president to enter negotiations with the City of Cedar Springs for provision of fire and related services and voted to notify neighboring townships that the village intends to stop providing fire services at the end of the current contract term.
Council member Wright moved to authorize negotiations, Camilleri supported the motion and it carried; Council member Helton recorded a dissenting vote. The motion specified that any final contract would return to the village council for review and final approval. A second motion, also moved by Wright and supported by Camilleri, directed the president to send letters to Ensley, Pierson and Nelson Townships advising them of the village’s intent to cease providing fire and related services at the end of the current contract; Helton again voted No and both motions carried.
In discussion, Helton asked about a 6% item referenced in an email to Pierson Township and raised the possibility of talking with Nelson Township about taking over service responsibilities; the transcript records these as questions and expressions of concern rather than as formal findings. The council’s motions do not implement an immediate change in service; they authorize negotiation and notification steps and make final contract approval subject to council review.
During public comment, Theresa Jerome, who said she is a resident of both the Village and Nelson Township, told the council she does not want to lose coverage and said she appreciated the numerical information that had been provided by staff. The council did not vote on a specific replacement contract at the meeting.
Next steps recorded in the meeting text: the village president is authorized to negotiate terms with Cedar Springs; any proposed contract will be returned to the council for final review and vote. The council adjourned at 7:53 p.m.
