Manager reports homeless encampment near pump station, urges police support

The Williams Township Manager reported at the January meeting that a homeless encampment has formed near the pump station at the bottom of Montague Hill Road and said the state police have been notified at least three times.

"We have a homeless encampment that is down by the pump station at the bottom of Montague Hill Road," the Manager said, adding that "Mike has been in contact with the state police. They've been notified at least 3 times to move their stuff out of there." The Manager said police told the township staff they may remove abandoned items but recommended staff not go to the site without police present.

Other board members echoed concerns about staff safety. One board member said they did not want employees going to the location "without police support," and stressed that if police have cleared occupants, township staff may retrieve items left behind. The Chair and other members said they expected police to handle any occupant removal: "We can't do that. The police have to," a board member said.

The board did not take a formal vote on enforcement or cleanup measures during the meeting. Multiple members indicated a consensus that staff should coordinate with state police and avoid sending township employees to the site without police present. The Manager said they will continue to work with the state police on next steps.