Powell Township Fall/Winter 2021 Newsletter

Check out our website, www.powelltownship.org or the bulletin boards for any changes in meeting dates and times, as well as virtual meeting options. The Township Board, Committees, and Commissions have monthly meetings and we want to encourage all our residents to attend meetings.

Fire Department and Ambulance Crews are looking for volunteers! Seek out the Fire Chief or the Ambulance Coordinator for more information on joining and involvement in your local Emergency Responder Crew

Follow on Facebook: Big Bay Information, Big Bay Pathway, Fire Department, and Powell Township Emergency Management for more information and events

Fire on the Bay 2022

The Powell Township’s Parks & Recreation Committee announces the 28th Annual Fire on the Bay will be held on July 9th, 2022. Rain date is set for July 16th, 2022. The fireworks display will begin at dusk and lasts approximately half an hour. Fireworks are traditionally fired from the north side of Big Bay Harbor on Lake Superior. Spectator areas will be on the public beach and the Harbor area.

We have had great support from the community in raising funds for the fireworks. Donations are accepted all year round. Please mail or drop off donations to the Powell Township Treasurer, PO Box 38 Big Bay, MI 49808 and include in the memo “Fire on the Bay”.

Open Positions:

Powell Township Parks and Trails Manager

Required qualifications are posted on the website’s notice page as well as on the notice boards. If interested in Job descriptions, those are available at the township. Applications to the Powell Township Supervisor and Treasurer are being accepted. A special meeting will be posted to interview applicants shortly after.

Credit Card Payments

Powell Township Treasurer’s office is taking Credit Card Payments. Users must be aware that this method of payment would also have an added service charge of 3.5%. There are links to follow on Powelltownship.org Home Page (for both), Resource: Tax & Assessing (to pay taxes) page, and on the Water and Sewer Department page. At this time we are not using Credit Card Payments for Sanitation billings.

Emergency Management: Powell Township Food Bank

Powell Township Food Bank is now available at Dionne Fire Hall at the Halfway and the Township Hall. The halfway hall will be open on Tuesdays from 5pm to 7pm for anyone in need of food. The Township Hall is open during regular Township office hours Monday and Thursday’s 9am – noon.

The Food bank was created by Powell Township Emergency Management Department and includes non-perishable food, paper goods, and cleaning supplies. These items are available free to anyone in need. No documents needed. No questions asked. Donations are accepted. Any Cash Donations must be made to the Powell Township Treasurer. If you have any questions, contact Kim Bourgeois (906)-362-7275. If you are unable to get to the township hall for items, arrangements can be made for delivery within the township.

Emergency Management: Meals on Wheels

A hot meal is delivered to seniors who are homebound and are unable to prepare nutritious meals for themselves. The suggested per meal donation is $3.50 for each Congregate or Home Delivered Meal, but no one is ever denied service due to their inability to donate. Family members are also encouraged to donate on behalf of their loved ones. Since federal and state funding does not cover the full cost to operate the Senior Meal Programs, the generosity of program participants and their families is crucial. Without these donations CAAM would not be able to serve every senior in need of Congregate or Home Delivered Meals. In addition to providing healthy and well-balanced meals, the meal deliverers also provide an important service by checking on the homebound seniors when they deliver the meals.

For local info call: Kim Bourgeois, Powell Township Emergency Manager, 362-7275 or Gene Champagne, Meals on Wheels Driver, 250-2140

Parks and Recreation Committee:

Meetings: The Parks and Recreation Committee met every month at our regularly scheduled meetings on the second Tuesday of the month from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. We welcome all community members to attend as members of the public. Our meeting minutes for previous months (and year) are posted on the website Meeting Dates/Times with Minutes – Powell Township.

Summer Concerts: We were able to hold one concert this summer in Draver Park on September 18th. The John Prine Tribute resonated through the community. Music filled the air and somewhere between 400- 500 people shared the evening. We will begin planning for next year’s series of 4 concerts soon so let us know about your ideas as to music and how to upgrade the programs.

Trail News: The P & R Committee continued its focus on trails for walkers, hikers, bicycles (and coming up snowshoeing!) If you have not visited the Powell Township Recreation Area on the left side of 510 about one mile south of 550, please do so now. It is beautiful and still has fall colors soon to be replaced with snow and a forest in slumber for the winter. We are a small group with mighty dreams and the 510 trails that have been completed are a dream come true. Just in the past two weeks, the last section of the Powell Peak Trail has been completed but the signage is not in place yet.

Also– A valuable tool has been created in partnership with the Big Bay Stewardship and CREST to welcome folks to the trails and our community. We are joining a national effort to Leave No Trace as people explore our community. Signage will be appearing around our township and the Committee encourages you to read them and let us hear your feedback. The information will be posted on the Township website as well.

If you are interested in joining a Snow Shoe Brigade to keep Thomas Rock and maybe Sweet Pine open through the winter, email Lucy at lewolson52@gmail.com

Grants: To continue creating healthy outdoor recreation, our Committee–working with the Powell Township Board — will be applying for additional grants in FY 2022. Check the website or contact the Parks and Recreation Committee to learn about plans for later this fall.