CRYSTAL LAKE TOWNSHIP IN BENZIE COUNTY MICHIGAN

NEWS - EVENTS - UPDATES

Current as of Friday, 12.8.23 -4 p.m.

CHECK OUT OUR NEW BOARD MEETING OPTIONS: We urge you to observe township government in action, to participate in the democratic process at its most local level. One way is to attend the board meetings in person. But if not in person, a second way is to check out our new YouTube Channel which allows you to watch a meeting's proceedings from a remote location, such as the comfort of your own home, as soon as the next day. Live streaming is coming soon.

HOT TOPIC IN THE COMMUNITY: HEADLEE AMENDMENT and possible RE-SET OF YOUR TAXATION RATE. You're going to be hearing more and more about this topic in the coming months. We urge you to study up on what exactly "Headlee" refers to and what "re-setting" means for your millage rates. Choose to click on any of the following for links to primers and for more information, or google more articles: 1) Benzie website link 2) Michigan State University Extension Office article 3) Benzie County Pamphlet 4) Library Association Handout. We will post more information as the county decides whether or not to place this issue on a August 2024 ballot.

ELECTION RESULTS: Of Crystal Lake Township's 1035 currently registered voters, almost exactly one third voted on Nov 7th. The single issue on the ballot was the proposed renewal and restoration of the county's road millage, which passed in our township and country-wide. Click here for more details and for all the local vote counts. For an official "statement of votes", click here.

CHANGES IN OFFICE PROTOCOL: There may be changes for constituents wanting to access the interior of the township hall and to see their township workers in person. Because of security concerns on the part of some elected officials and staff, a special meeting was called due to the perception that "township facilities, employees and the visiting public face a variety of threats including assault, illegal weapon and explosive possession, robbery, civil disturbances, homicide and arson." Hence forward, if you cannot gain easy entrance, look for signs on the doors with instructions to call a cell phone number; at such time the employee(s) inside the hall may, at personal discretion, decide on options, including allowing or denying entrance to the building.

FROG BITS AND WATER SOLDIERS: Marine invasives can be and must be thwarted. Help keep our fishing and recreational waters world class by following the law and remembering to CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY, and DISPOSE. Boaters should be aware that the boat washing ordinances apply wherever your boat is launched; if it has navigated other water within 10 days, it MUST BE WASHED. Want to see an example of WHY? Here one of the newest invasives to our waterways made worse by the unintentional transport of un-cleaned, un-drained and un-dried watercraft.

VOLUNTEERS and WORKERS NEEDED:

Cemetery Committee is in need of several different kinds of help: If you're interested in the historical aspects of our two cemeteries, we are looking for someone to work on an historical compendium documenting some of the more interesting gravesites. Are you a photographer and have working knowledge of spreadsheets? We need the file of gravestone photos updated. We are also looking for a committee member who has family in East Cemetery and would would advocate for issues in that particular cemetery. Or would you like to "adopt" a section of a cemetery and recommend improvements to the board for that one area? See Supervisor Ferris if you are interested in any of these tasks.
Budget & Finance Committee: This "sub" committee is a new idea and never been formed before. Pending approval of the board, it will serve as another layer to our government's system of checks-as-balances and help steer the township's formation of a budget. Details as to the scope of the work will be forthcoming. Contact Supervisor Ferris.