Township preparing for possible legal action

The board approved funds to cover legal fees for any enforcement against composting operation.

The Laketown Township Board of Trustees meets at the township hall, 4338 Beeline Road.

The Laketown Township Board of Trustees authorized spending up to $25,000 for legal fees if needed to enforce the recent action against a composting company creating foul odors in the township.

The board on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, unanimously voted to authorize the expenditure and directed Supervisor Steven Ringelberg and Manager Stephanie Fox to interview potential alternate lawyers to handle court issues if needed.

On June 3, the township planning commission terminated the approval for Cocoa Corp. to operate its composting options on the premises of Republic Services at 4368 60th St. The termination was effective immediately.

Republic leases part of its site to Cocoa.

“None of this is self-enforcing,” said Ringelberg regarding the decision to revoke the 2016 agreement that allowed Cocoa Corp. to operate.

He explained the enforcement will likely involve court actions which would require a different lawyer for the township than the attorney who handles board and commission issues.

At this time, the township and Republic have lawyers from the same firm – Dickinson Wright of Grand Rapids. One attorney represents Republic and another attorney, Ron Bultje, represents Laketown. Because Republic and Laketown share the same goal of removing Cocoa from the property, there is no conflict of interest, Ringelberg said.

Should that mutual goal end, or the township goes to court, another legal counsel will be needed. The township should be prepared for that, he said.

Other business

In other business, the board:

  • Authorized Ringelberg to represent the township on the Allegan County Material Management Planning Committee.
  • Authorized the township manager as signatory for the Municipal Employees’ Retirement System of Michigan (MERS).
  • Adopted the Declaration and Notice for the Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant for the acquisition of a 0.70-acre parcel to the north of its parking lot at the end of 142nd Avenue at Laketown Township Beach. The land cost $220,000. The grant covers 75 percent of the cost, and the township pays $55,000.