2026 MEETING CYCLES

To see upcoming meeting notices listed, special meetings, cancellations, reschedules, or virtual instructions, click here. For a calendar view, click here. To see public comment guidelines, check the Rules of Public Comment Participation. 

• The Ambulance Department meets the first Sunday of each month – 7:00 P.M. at Powell Township Fire Hall

• The Parks & Recreation Committee meets the second Tuesday of each month – 6:30 P.M. at Powell Township Hall

• The Powell Township Board meets the third Tuesday of each month – 7:00 P.M. at Powell Township Hall (EXCEPT APRIL: RESCHEDULED TO 28 APR 2026)

• The Planning Commission meets the third Wednesday of each month – 7:00 P.M. at Powell Township Hall

• The Fire Department meets the last Thursday of each month – 6:00 P.M. at Powell Township Fire Hall

SCROLL DOWN TO VIEW BASIC NOTICES (followed by Meeting Notices).

NOTICE – SPECIAL BOARD MEETING

May 26, 2026, 1:00 P.M. 

Powell Township Hall, 101 Bensinger St., Big Bay, Michigan, 49808

AGENDA:

1. Review bids for the Powell Township Transfer Station rebuild
2. Select bid for the Powell Township Transfer Station rebuild

NOTICE – BILL DIONNE (HALFWAY) FIRE HALL FOOD BANK OPENINGS EXTENDED:

5 – 7 P.M. on MAY 20, JUNE 3, & JUNE 17

• With donated funds and volunteers, the Powell Township Emergency Management Department will open the Bill Dionne Fire Hall at Halfway Food Bank starting November 5. 
• The Food Bank will open from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. on two Wednesdays per month: NOV 5 & 19, DEC 3 & 17, JAN 7 & 21, FEB 4 & 18, MAR 4 & 18, APR 1 & 15, & MAY 6 & 20, & JUNE 3 & JUNE 17.
• Non-perishable food, paper goods, hygiene and cleaning supplies are available for anyone in need.   
• For more information, call Emergency Manager Kim Bourgeois (906-362-7275) or the township office (906-345-9345).

Food Bank Donations

• You can make a monetary donation; make checks payable to Powell Township and note “food bank donation” in the memo line. A great holiday idea.
• You can make a food/supply donation; drop off is available at the Powell Township office during regular office hours (Mon & Thu 9-12), or in the Powell Township Hall whenever it is open/active for events, or dropped off during food bank operating hours at the Halfway Fire Hall.
• For more information, call Emergency Manager Kim Bourgeois (906-362-7275) or the township office (906-345-9345).

NOTICE – SIX ANNUAL HAZARDOUS WASTE DROP-OFF DATES (FOR MARQUETTE COUNTY RESIDENTS):

1. Location is Marquette County Landfill (NOT BIG BAY)
2. Timing is 3PM-7PM for each date listed:  May 7, June 4, July 9, August 6, September 10, October 1, OR call for an appointment 
3. This is for Marquette County (which includes all of Powell Township) residents 
4. Marquette County Solid Waste Management Authority collections are held MAY THROUGH OCTOBER ONLY. 
5. All sites are open to Marquette County residents with only household hazardous waste. 
6. The City of Marquette Rubbish/Compost Site is located at the intersection of McClellan Ave and Pioneer Rd.
7. The West End Transfer Station is located in West Ishpeming (north side of US 41, west of Ishpeming, just west of the DNR field station).
8. For more information including a list of acceptable materials and hazardous waste disposal, details are at recycle906.com or 906-249-4125

YOU ARE INVITED – MEMORIAL DAY & WEEKEND EVENTS

Sunday, May 24: Pancake Breakfast at Town Hall (8AM – Noon)

1. The breakfast menu is PANCAKES, EGGS, BACON, AND SAUSAGE. Suggested donation $10 (adults), $5 (children over 5 years old).
2. Questions? Call 906-345-9345 (ext. 10).

Monday, May 25: Big Bay Cemetery Memorial Day Tribute Event (10AM)

1. The Big Bay Cemetery Memorial Day Tribute Event includes a flag raising and lowering to half-staff and a veteran honor roll reading.
2. The event lasts an hour (or less) and there will be seasonal picnic tables in the cemetery — AND COFFEE AND DONUTS AT THE COMMUNITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH NEARBY — if anyone is interested in gathering longer, picnicking, enjoying the scenery, or seeing the quiet noontime flag full-staff raising. 
3. This is a time-honored tradition at the cemetery; residents, friends, and family are welcome!
4. For the current interactive Powell Township Cemetery Plot Map, click  here.

YOU ARE INVITED – EAGLE MINE / TALON COMMUNITY FORUM – JUNE 1, 5:30 – 7:00 P.M., TOWN HALL

1. The Eagle Mine will host a Community Forum on June 1, 2026, at Powell Township Hall.
2. The event is 5:30 – 7:00 P.M. 
3. DINNER PROVIDED
4. Contact: Jen Heikkila
5. Email: jen.heikkila@talonmetals.com

YOU ARE INVITED – DRAVER PARK RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY – JUNE 6, 2026, 1 P.M.

[View the event press release here]

• The major renovation of Draver Park, in the heart of Powell Township, finished in 2025 just before the major snowfalls.
• The official ribbon cutting “opening ceremony” is June 6, 2026, at 1:00 P.M.
• A THANK YOU to all residents for their patience during the 3-season-long construction. 
• This event will celebrate the completion of major improvements to Draver Park, including new ADA-accessible pathways and amenities, a four-season concession and restroom facility, upgraded pavilion infrastructure, an ADA-accessible loop trail, and new recreation equipment designed to serve residents and visitors of all ages and abilities.

YOU ARE INVITED – COMMUNITY DINNER

June 9, 4:30 – 6:30 P.M.

Community Presbyterian Church of Big Bay, Michigan, 49808

Menu will be posted throughout the township prior to the event.

YOU ARE INVITED – 32ND ANNUAL FIRE ON THE BAY – JULY 11, 2026

The Powell Township Parks & Recreation Committee announces the 32^nd Annual “FIRE ON THE BAY” Fireworks Display, July 11, 2026. This year’s specifics and accompanying concert details will post as the event nears.

Fireworks are traditionally fired from the north side of Big Bay Harbor on Lake Superior at dusk and last approximately 30 minutes. Spectators will gather in the public beach and Harbor areas. Due to crowds, the beach drive and the Marina will be blocked to motorized vehicles. Handicapped parking is available at the Marina or Harbor. Roadside parking is limited, so consider walking to the beach from downtown. For safety, no alcohol or pets are permitted.

The Township receives great support from the community in raising funds for the fireworks and is grateful for all event supporters. THANK YOU!

• Fire On the Bay donations are accepted year-round and are used solely for the annual event.
• Supporters can mail donations to: Powell Township Treasurer, P.O. Box 38, Big Bay, Michigan, 49808 and include in the memo “Fire on the Bay”.
• Supporters can also drop donations off at Powell Township Hall offices (or the drop box outside of the offices).
• Supporters can also use the code below or donate online at https://givebutter.com/OI2fue. 

GOT BOOKS? NEED BOOKS? FREE LIBRARY IN TOWN HALL

Powell Township Hall, 101 Bensinger Street, Big Bay, Michigan, 49808

The free lending library in Powell Township Hall is upgrading to a more organized and maintained collection (and a reading space), thanks to a team of energetic volunteers. You can stop by the hall to view or borrow items for free. Also, as you spring clean or organize your own collections to pay items forward (to include books, games, or puzzles), please consider dropping them at Powell Township Hall or the office. Donations are greatly appreciated.

NOW AVAILABLE IN POWELL TOWNSHIP:

HOME DELIVERED MEALS or “MEALS ON WHEELS”

A hot meal is delivered to seniors who are homebound and are unable to prepare nutritious meals for themselves. Suggested donation: $3.50 per meal

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.

DO YOU QUALIFY FOR HOME DELIVERED MEALS?

– Eligibility requirements for Home Delivered Meals include:

– You or your spouse must be 60 years of age of older.

– You must be homebound and cannot leave your home without assistance.

-You are unable to prepare meals and you have no one nearby to prepare your meals.

Call 228-6522 ext 302 for more information or to see if you or someone you care about qualifies.

WHAT DO THESE PROGRAMS COST?

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.

Community Action Alger-Marquette Senior Meals Programs serve close to 100,000 meals a year to seniors in Alger and Marquette Counties, helping those seniors live longer, healthier and more enjoyable lives. Volunteers are needed in a variety of ways to continue providing these important meals. If you wish to learn more call our office for more information.

For local info call:

Kim Bourgeois, Powell Township Emergency Manager, 906-362-7275

Gene Champagne, Meals on Wheels Driver, 906-250-2140

SAVE THE DATES

Powell Township residents, please keep these annual township events in mind. Further details, including times, are in local newsletters (including the site newsletter), on the site calendar, and/or will post as they become available.

• January: Thomas Rock Ski and Showshoe Event (3rd Saturday)
• February: Fishing Derby (2nd weekend)
• February: Honey Bear Classic Ski/Snowshoe Event (2nd weekend)
• April:  Easter Egg Hunt (Saturday before Easter) 
• May:  Spring Cleanups, Dash for Trash, and Potlucks (1st week)
• May:  Big Bay Relay (3rd Saturday)
• May:  Memorial Day Tribute at Big Bay Cemetery
• June: Summer Concert Series season begins
• June: Park & Trail Recreation Network Volunteers Picnic
• July:  4th of July Parade
• July:  Softball Tournament (weekend after July 4th)
• July:  Fire on the Bay (2nd Saturday)
• August-September:  Softball Tournament (Labor Day weekend)
• September:  Fall Festival (3rd weekend)
• October: Fire Prevention Week
• Fall – Spring:  Community Dinners, Open Houses, and Food Banks
• December:  Holiday Tree Lighting (1st Saturday)

MEETINGS ARE IN DATE ORDER (and also available in calendar view here).