Sand Lake council hires water operator, raises clerk pay and clears event permits

SAND LAKE, Mich. — The Village of Sand Lake council on April 20 approved a series of operational and event-related measures, including hiring an outside operator for the village water and sewer system, raising the clerk's hourly wage to $40 retroactive to March 16, and adopting a resolution to terminate a dispatch agreement.

President Dan Hula opened the meeting at 7 p.m. and reported that the village had been in touch with a group called Changemakers about social media and press engagement and that several municipal positions would be posted after a May vote. He also said the village had contacted the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy concerning water oversight and that staff member Tim “knows how to run the system” while Hula oversees operations.

During the public-comment period resident Samantha Gore asked, “Are you using the same lawyer?” Hula replied that the prior attorney, Bloom Sluggett, had resigned and that the village currently had no attorney. Resident Rachel Gokey raised concerns about water oversight, saying Tim “is not licensed” to operate the system; commenters noted DEQ had been contacted and that the village typically has about 30 days to secure oversight.

On unfinished business the council heard a proposal from Peter of Flies & Vandenbrink to provide an operator one day per week to handle filings and oversight at $120 per hour; Helton moved, supported by Johnson, to hire Flies & Vandenbrink as the operator in charge of water and sewer, and the motion carried.

On new business the council voted to increase the clerk's pay to $40 per hour retroactive to March 16 (motion by VanEtten, supported by Stieg) and to contract with accountant Bethany Seymour to bring bank statements current (motion by Stieg, supported by Johnson). The council also approved switching the village website to a paid support plan with Shumaker Technologies (motion by Stieg, supported by VanEtten).

In a recorded roll-call vote the council adopted Resolution 2026-4, terminating the dispatch agreement; all seven members present — Hula, Stieg, Merritt, Johnson, VanEtten, Helton and Shirey — voted yes. The council approved Dean's bid to pave Fourth Street (motion by Helton, supported by Johnson) and accepted a donation of handicapped-accessible playground equipment from Matt's Bait & Tackle (motion by Helton, supported by VanEtten).

Event approvals included the Tea'd Up Fourth of July event, approved with the stipulation that food trucks be staged at the end nearest Fourth Street and not pass the alley (motion by VanEtten, supported by Johnson), and the Chamber of Commerce's Fourth of July event form, approved with a requirement that proof of insurance be submitted by June 4, 2026 (motion by Helton, supported by VanEtten). The council also approved the Parade of Lights event form and authorized the Williams Drain easement with the Kent County Drain Commission.

Councilmember Helton announced a cemetery cleanup scheduled for the following Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon and asked whether high school students needing community service hours could help. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. after a motion from Helton, supported by Stieg.

What the council decided, in brief: hired Flies & Vandenbrink as water/sewer operator ($120/hour); increased the clerk's wage to $40/hour retroactive to March 16; contracted interim accounting and website support; adopted Resolution 2026-4 to terminate the dispatch agreement (7–0); approved street paving, park equipment donation, several event permits with conditions, and a Williams Drain easement with the county.