By Bruce Rolfe
Eleven proposed road improvement projects for 2026, including six projects in the town of Scotts, was presented to the Climax Township Board at its regular meeting January 13.
Joel Amos of the Road Committee said the proposed road improvement projects include:
• Q Avenue from 3,569 feet east of 46th Street to 5,280 feet east of 46th Street rubber chip seal trial at an estimated cost of $17,000. Half of the cost for the rubber ship seal trial will be covered by an EGLE grant.
• 45th Street from Q Avenue to P Avenue crack fill, chip seal at an estimated cost of $29,000.
• P Avenue from 44th Street to 45th Street, crack fill, HMA Wedging, chip seal at an estimated cost of $29,000
• S Avenue from 36th Street to 39th Street, crack fill, HMA wedging, chip seal at an estimated cost of $60,000.
• QR Avenue from 4,224 feet west of 38th Street to 38th Street, crack fill, HMA wedging, chip seal at an estimated cost of $32,000.
• QR Avenue from 36th Street to Woodin Street, crack fill, HMA wedging, chip seal at an estimated cost of $10,500.
• Jamieson Street from 36th Street to Woodin Street, crack fill, HMA wedging, chip seal at an estimated cost of $10,500.
• Watson Street from QR Avenue to Norscot Street crack fill, HMA wedging, chip seal at an estimated cost of $10,5000.
• Erick Street from QR Avenue to Norscot Street, crack fill, HMA wedging, chip seal at an estimated cost of $10,500.
• Norscot Street to 36th Street to Woodin Street, crack fill, HMA wedging, chip seal at an estimated cost of $10,500.
• Woodin Street from QR Avenue to QR Avenue crack fill, HMA wedging, chip seal at an estimated cost of $10,500.
Amos said the estimated total cost of all projects is $230,000, however half of the cost for the rubber chip seal trial on Q Avenue will be covered by an EGLE grant that is available.
Local Church Plans Outreach Opportunities In Area
Pastor Juan Lopez of Victory Life Church in Fulton, informed the Climax Township Board and audience that the local church is focusing on community outreach in Climax, Fulton, Athens, and Leonidas in June or July to provide community service. He said community service projects may involve 75-100 high school students and young adults helping local residents with yard work, cleaning a garage, moving or other projects impacting the community.
Climax Township Fire Department Report
Climax Township Fire Chief Scott Smith said the local fire department responded to 19 calls for service in the month of December. That gave the fire Department 277 calls for service for the 2025 calendar year, which Smith said is an increase of 18 over last year.
Of the 67 calls for service in the last quarter, 14 were for mutual aid given and five were for mutual aid received.
Fire Department Budget Reviewed
Climax Township Clerk Sarah DeBoer informed the township board the fire department is under budget overall by $19,851.01 as of January 6, 2026, but on call wages are $10,906.56 over budget.
The primary driving force behind the increase for on call wages are 18 more calls for service in 2025, wages increased for firefighters April 1, 2025 and a project Smith is overseeing converting a rescue rig to a grass fire fighting rig, which is saving the township money.
Smith said a spike in calls for service included 40 calls in May and 24 in June after 17 calls in April. There was also one lengthy call in late march that was paid from the 2025-2026 fiscal year budget.
Smith said the local fire department has placed a pump and tank on the fire truck that will be converted to a grass fire rig after the local fire department receives a new rescue fire truck. DeBoer said this saves money in one area of the budget while increasing the amount paid out in the on-call wages section of the budget.
Smith said the new truck is expected to be available for delivery in 75 to 90 days.
DeBoer said the board needs to move money around within the Fire Department budget to cover the over budget line item, but the money is available.
Township Board Holds off Vote on Resolution
Approving Bicycle Route on Climax Township Roads
The Township Board was approached by KELC to approve a resolution that approves a bicycle route that partially goes through Climax Township as part of the Midwest Tandem Rally. The event is in September, 2026.
The board expressed concern the group is asking Climax Township to be the applicant with the Road Commission of Kalamazoo County. The board felt by signing the application the township board would be liable for any accident and proof of insurance of 2 million dollars would be necessary.
The board will contact the group to see if they can provide verification of insurance.
Clerk Sarah DeBoer said she will consult with the township attorney about the group’s form and Piper will visit with other area supervisors to see how they are handling a similar request in their respective township.
In other items covered at the January 13 meeting:
• The township board did not take action on a budget amendment and will instead work with the township CPA to gather more information.
• The Township Board continued to discuss the Earned Sick Time Act.
A template was started, however after discussing some options, the board tabled the item and is expected to consider approving the policy at its next meeting.
• The Kalamazoo County Sheriff dispatch calls for service in December was distributed.
For the month of December the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Department responded to 20 citizen initiated calls for December and there were eight officer initiated calls for service.
• The Township Board has scheduled to meet January 22 at 5:30 p.m. to begin budget preparation for the next fiscal year.
• The Township Board unanimously approved a new two-year contract with Appraisals Plus Group for assessing services. The new contract increases from $1200 a month to $1300 a month, which is good for the next two years, going through March 31, 2028.
• Climax Township Supervisor Trent Piper announced the Township has more weather warning radios available free to the public. These weather warning radios are provided by Emergency Management.
Eleven proposed road improvement projects for 2026, including six projects in the town of Scotts, was presented to the Climax Township Board at its regular meeting January 13.
Joel Amos of the Road Committee said the proposed road improvement projects include:
• Q Avenue from 3,569 feet east of 46th Street to 5,280 feet east of 46th Street rubber chip seal trial at an estimated cost of $17,000. Half of the cost for the rubber ship seal trial will be covered by an EGLE grant.
• 45th Street from Q Avenue to P Avenue crack fill, chip seal at an estimated cost of $29,000.
• P Avenue from 44th Street to 45th Street, crack fill, HMA Wedging, chip seal at an estimated cost of $29,000
• S Avenue from 36th Street to 39th Street, crack fill, HMA wedging, chip seal at an estimated cost of $60,000.
• QR Avenue from 4,224 feet west of 38th Street to 38th Street, crack fill, HMA wedging, chip seal at an estimated cost of $32,000.
• QR Avenue from 36th Street to Woodin Street, crack fill, HMA wedging, chip seal at an estimated cost of $10,500.
• Jamieson Street from 36th Street to Woodin Street, crack fill, HMA wedging, chip seal at an estimated cost of $10,500.
• Watson Street from QR Avenue to Norscot Street crack fill, HMA wedging, chip seal at an estimated cost of $10,5000.
• Erick Street from QR Avenue to Norscot Street, crack fill, HMA wedging, chip seal at an estimated cost of $10,500.
• Norscot Street to 36th Street to Woodin Street, crack fill, HMA wedging, chip seal at an estimated cost of $10,500.
• Woodin Street from QR Avenue to QR Avenue crack fill, HMA wedging, chip seal at an estimated cost of $10,500.
Amos said the estimated total cost of all projects is $230,000, however half of the cost for the rubber chip seal trial on Q Avenue will be covered by an EGLE grant that is available.
Local Church Plans Outreach Opportunities In Area
Pastor Juan Lopez of Victory Life Church in Fulton, informed the Climax Township Board and audience that the local church is focusing on community outreach in Climax, Fulton, Athens, and Leonidas in June or July to provide community service. He said community service projects may involve 75-100 high school students and young adults helping local residents with yard work, cleaning a garage, moving or other projects impacting the community.
Climax Township Fire Department Report
Climax Township Fire Chief Scott Smith said the local fire department responded to 19 calls for service in the month of December. That gave the fire Department 277 calls for service for the 2025 calendar year, which Smith said is an increase of 18 over last year.
Of the 67 calls for service in the last quarter, 14 were for mutual aid given and five were for mutual aid received.
Fire Department Budget Reviewed
Climax Township Clerk Sarah DeBoer informed the township board the fire department is under budget overall by $19,851.01 as of January 6, 2026, but on call wages are $10,906.56 over budget.
The primary driving force behind the increase for on call wages are 18 more calls for service in 2025, wages increased for firefighters April 1, 2025 and a project Smith is overseeing converting a rescue rig to a grass fire fighting rig, which is saving the township money.
Smith said a spike in calls for service included 40 calls in May and 24 in June after 17 calls in April. There was also one lengthy call in late march that was paid from the 2025-2026 fiscal year budget.
Smith said the local fire department has placed a pump and tank on the fire truck that will be converted to a grass fire rig after the local fire department receives a new rescue fire truck. DeBoer said this saves money in one area of the budget while increasing the amount paid out in the on-call wages section of the budget.
Smith said the new truck is expected to be available for delivery in 75 to 90 days.
DeBoer said the board needs to move money around within the Fire Department budget to cover the over budget line item, but the money is available.
Township Board Holds off Vote on Resolution
Approving Bicycle Route on Climax Township Roads
The Township Board was approached by KELC to approve a resolution that approves a bicycle route that partially goes through Climax Township as part of the Midwest Tandem Rally. The event is in September, 2026.
The board expressed concern the group is asking Climax Township to be the applicant with the Road Commission of Kalamazoo County. The board felt by signing the application the township board would be liable for any accident and proof of insurance of 2 million dollars would be necessary.
The board will contact the group to see if they can provide verification of insurance.
Clerk Sarah DeBoer said she will consult with the township attorney about the group’s form and Piper will visit with other area supervisors to see how they are handling a similar request in their respective township.
In other items covered at the January 13 meeting:
• The township board did not take action on a budget amendment and will instead work with the township CPA to gather more information.
• The Township Board continued to discuss the Earned Sick Time Act.
A template was started, however after discussing some options, the board tabled the item and is expected to consider approving the policy at its next meeting.
• The Kalamazoo County Sheriff dispatch calls for service in December was distributed.
For the month of December the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Department responded to 20 citizen initiated calls for December and there were eight officer initiated calls for service.
• The Township Board has scheduled to meet January 22 at 5:30 p.m. to begin budget preparation for the next fiscal year.
• The Township Board unanimously approved a new two-year contract with Appraisals Plus Group for assessing services. The new contract increases from $1200 a month to $1300 a month, which is good for the next two years, going through March 31, 2028.
• Climax Township Supervisor Trent Piper announced the Township has more weather warning radios available free to the public. These weather warning radios are provided by Emergency Management.
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