Board to take up manager issue next month

The search for a new manager will wait a month before another step is taken by the Laketown Township Board of Trustees.

On Wednesday, May 14, 2025, the board decided to wait to further discuss the manager issue until all members are present on June 11. Trustee Mike Koeman was absent from the May 14 meeting.

The board in December authorized Supervisor Steven Ringelberg to serve as interim manager and in February, approved the arrangement until June 30.

“We’re not going to have a manager by the end of June,” Ringelberg said, noting the first search took months.

He said he is willing to serve as interim manager through 2026.

The board paused its search to find a replacement for longtime Manager Al Meshkin, who retired Jan. 3, after the finalist withdrew on Jan. 28. The board began its search for Meshkin’s replacement in August when it hired Ryan Cotton of the firm MGT to guide the process.

The board has held off restarting the search out of concerns it has earned a bad reputation among possible candidates because of the contentious nature of the first search.

Now, though, board members say they have learned to work together.

“We figured it out the hard way,” said Trustee Mark Timmerman.

“We have gotten better,” said Clerk Jim Delaney.

The board underwent training with Howard Fink of Community Design Economics Consulting, each talking individually with Fink and attending two special meetings to discuss how township government functions and to start goal setting.

Treasurer Jim Johnson said the board now has a better understanding of the hiring process and could trim time off the proposed 18-week interview timeline.

“I’m optimistic it will go a lot smoother,” he said.

Board members thanked Ringelberg for taking on the manager duties.

“We appreciate how hard you’re working,” said Johnson. “It’s a big job.”

The board also authorized Timmerman to speak with Cotton about shortening the interview timeline.

The minutes for the meeting are available here.

In other business, the board:

• Set a special meeting for 6 p.m. Thursday, May 22, at the township hall, 4338 Beeline Road, to continue developing a strategic plan.
• Unanimously authorized Ringelberg to organize working group topics for more discussion at the June 4 workshop meeting. Topics include Strategic Plan, Ordinance Enforcement, Ordinance Review, Review of Employee Benefits, Initial Discussion of Open Space Preservation and Felt Mansion – Review of Operations.
• Unanimously approved paying the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council $1,775 for July 4 fireworks, and $1,725 to the Allegan County Legal Assistance Center.
• Unanimously agreed to have organizations seeking contracted services funds to submit their proposals in writing so the board can discuss them on June 11. The groups that received funding for 2024: Evergreen Commons ($4,000), Holland American Legion Band ($500), Seventy X Seven ($1,000), Resilience ($2,000), Reach for Recovery ($1,000), Holland Chorale ($500), Holland Symphony ($500), FellinLove Farm ($2,000) and Escape ($2,000).
• Unanimously agreed to authorize Ringelberg to make a job offer to a candidate to become the new township assessor. Ringelberg also announced the hiring of a new administrator/deputy treasurer and that he will be advertising for a new building and grounds person to replace Brett Grams who is retiring May 31.
• Unanimously agreed to authorize Ringelberg to sign a drain easement across Wolters Woods Park with the Allegan County Drain Commissioner.
• Unanimously agreed to authorize staff to research recycling and trash hauler options. The township now has an exclusive waste contract with Republic Services that started in 2008 and expires in 2026.
• Unanimously agreed to record workshop meetings. The board earlier voted to record regular meetings only. The May 14 meeting was the first one recorded and is available through a link on the website.