On the agenda: Sidney July 6, 2026 — data center (Jul 6)

Sidney Township Board Minutes
July 6, 2026
The Sidney Township Board meeting held at the Sidney Township Hall at 3019 S Grow Road Sidney, Michigan
on July 6, 2026 was called to order by Supervisor Peterman at 7:00 p.m. followed by the pledge of allegiance.
ATTENDENCE: Supervisor: Terry Peterman, Clerk: Carrie Wills, Treasurer: Corinda Stover Trustees: Ray
Leyrer, Erik Benko
AGENDA:
A motion was made by Leyrer and seconded by Benko to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried.
APPROVE MINUTES:
A motion was made by Leyrer and seconded by Benko to approve the minutes from the June 1, 2026 board
meeting and the June 8, 2026 special meeting as presented. Motion carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Clerk
Wills reported that the contracts for mowing and plowing have been returned from Andersen’s Lawn Care.
Mowing prices went up just $5.00 for each service, spring & fall cleanup stayed the same as did the charge for
applying Roundup. Plowing charges stayed the same and a gas surcharge of $10 will be charged if gas prices
are over $3.00 a gallon.
Absentee ballots were mailed out last week. Wills explained the expense on the finance sheet for repairs to the
election printer.
Wills asked for approval to buy a new computer for the election. Election computers can be used only for
elections. Windows 11 Pro is needed to run the election voter file on election day. The current computer
apparently doesn’t have what is required for 11 Pro. She has found a new computer for $379 that comes with
the Windows 11 Pro on it. To purchase just the windows program from Amazon is $199.She feels buying the
new computer would be more cost effective.
A motion was made by Stover and seconded by Leyrer to approve purchasing a new computer for the elections
for the cost not to exceed $379. Funds will come from the election budget line item. Motion carried.
Wills asked for board action to approve paying the Planning Commission for two meetings on June 2, 2026 as
requested by the Commission. According to the minutes from the meeting, the public hearing only lasted 3
minutes. The notice for the hearing was drafted as though the public hearing would be a part of the regular
meeting. Because the cost of a special permit was previously raised to cover expenses, the board agreed the
planning commission should be paid for two separate meetings. Checks will be issued to cover the cost of a
second meeting.
A motion was made by Leyrer and seconded by Benko to approve paying the Planning Commission members
as two meetings: a regular meeting and a public hearing. Motion carried,
Supervisor
Peterman informed the board that he talked to MTA regarding the need for more than one bid on contracted
jobs. MTA responded that only one quote is needed if the contractor is known to do a good job and the board
approves the quote. A policy concerning bids will be drafted so jobs under $20,000 will not require more than
one bid.
GUEST SPEAKERS:
Joseph Fox, Candidate for State Senator.
Joseph Fox introduced himself as a candidate for the State Senate on the August 4th ballot. He feels the
construction of wind and solar farms is way overrated as they are not cost efficient. He is not in favor of
construction of data centers.
TREASURER’S REPORT,
The Treasurer presented her report.
Current checkbook balance as of June 30, 2026 is $138,944.76
Current balance in the park fund is $4,731.87, the fire bond is $66.54 and the weed accounts are Derby Lake,
$55,183.64 and Nevins Lake $10,306.23. CD balance is $29,587.85

MICHIGAN CLASS FUNDS:
MI CLASS Fire Truck: $180,735.19
MI CLASS General $279,843.80
A motion was made by Leyrer and seconded by Wills to approve the Treasurer’s report as presented. Motion
carried.
CLERK’S REPORT:
Wills presented a list of expenses for the month. Total expenses reported was $28,475.02
A motion was made by Stover and seconded by Leyrer to approve the Clerk’s report and pay the monthly
expenses. Motion carried.
PLANNING COMMISSION
The Planning Commission met on June 2 and approved the special land use permit for a new mechanic’s shop.
Three neighboring property owners were present; none had any objections to the project.
Leslie from Foster Swift is back to work and will be reviewing the checklist prepared by the commission
pertaining to an ordinance for data centers. The planning commission will be addressing that issue at the
September 1st meeting.
COMMISSIONER’S REPORT.
County Commissioner Petersen was not present.
ZONING
Dale reported that he has issued four letters for zoning violations. Two owners have responded to the letters.
The burned house at 5080 S Amsden Road will be a final burn by the fire department. 2551 Hansen Road was
issued another letter and ticket. 2600 Muskrat will be sent on to the Sheriff’s Department for further action. A
new officer has been hired to handle blight complaints. The people with the paint shop on Holly Drive will be
moving their stuff to a brother’s pole barn. Nothing new on 3019 Oak Drive.
Dale handled seven permits and two splits
FIRE DEPARTMENTS:
Sheridan & Stanton:
The was nothing new to report on for the fire departments.
OLD BUSINESS
Cement Steps
Contractors, employees power washed the cement stairs today and should be here to apply the sealer and
finish the job tomorrow
Sidney Corner Light
The installation of the flashing light had to be referred to the commercial branch of Consumers Energy. A
resolution from the board is needed to remove the existing light and replace with the flashing light.
A motion was made by Wills and seconded by Stover to approve Resolution 01-2026. Resolution to Remove the
Street Light at the corner of Sidney Road and Derby Road and to Approve Replacing it with a Flashing Red
Light. (See copy attached.) Motion carried.
Park Fence Replaced
A bid was received from Pro Fence Grand Rapids in the amount of $15,221 to install new chain link fencing
across the front of the park. Peterman was unable to obtain any other bids from contractors. Pro Fence requires
50% down to begin the job.
A motion was made by Stover and seconded by Wills to accept the bid from Pro Fence Grand Rapids in the
amount of $15,221 and to issue a check for 50% of the cost to begin the project. Roll call vote:
Stover-yes, Wills-yes, Peterman-yes, Leyrer-yes, Benko-yes. Motion carried.
Cemetery Gravel
Peterman would still like to get the driveway in the cemetery repaired, If Dairyland can repair the drive using
crushed concrete for $5700, there should be enough in the budget to cover the cost of the work. As long as we
are happy with the work performed by Dairyland, no other bids are needed for contracting out the work,

A motion was made by Stover and seconded by Wills to approve Dairyland Excavating’s quote of $5700 for
repairing the cemetery driveway and have them perform the work as soon as possible. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS:
There was no new business to come before the board.
CITIZENS COMMENTS
Scott Horn thanked the board for having the gravel installed on Muskrat Road. He would still like to have a
speed limit sign installed. Big trucks and other vehicles travel about 60 mph and he is afraid someone’s child
could be hurt. Peterman will ask the Road Commission for help and inquire about any new laws regarding the
speed limit on dirt roads.
Mr. Horn is still concerned with the burned building on property owned by Penya’s. It has been an ongoing issue
for about six years now. Dale has sent several letter and tickets to the owner. He will see about turning that
complaint over to the Sheriff’s Department for further action.
There has been talk of a battery center being installed at the end of Wise Road. That property is in Fairplain
Township. Dale has heard about the project.
Peterman asked the owner of the home on 2891West Sidney Road who was present at the meeting if he would
stop running his generator at night. The board has received several complaints regarding the noise. The owner
responded that the generator is only run to charge the battery for his solar system that cannot charge on cloudy
or rainy days. The board is not satisfied with his response and will continue to monitor the issue.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Stover and seconded by Leyrer to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m. Motion carried.
Carrie Wills
Sidney Twp Clerk