Peaine Township

08/31/2026

08/15/2026

Planning Commission Public Hearing at Peaine Township Hall 08/17/2026 @ 5:00pm

08/14/2026

A message from the Supervisor:

Martin's Bluff has received a recent makeover! Earlier this Spring, Dillon Butler (Peaine Township Parks and Rec/ Maintenance) and I evaluated the overlook. Additionally, Dillon met with Pam Grassmick to evaluate the site and make sure there weren't any environmental concerns. In the end, we found the area was in need of some significant repairs and improvements.

The list included:
- Cleanup of the walking trail from limbs/ downed trees
- Repair, correct, and paint the picnic table
- Remove a dead tree and more fallen limbs directly on or impeding the overlook
- Replace the failing split rail fence and extend for safety
- Removal of stumps located at the overlook

I'm excited to share all improvements except the removal of the stumps has been completed. This final finishing touch will happen in the very near future and the makeover of Martin's Bluff will be complete.

While exact plans (if any) to possibly improve the beach path have not been fully developed, it is a discussion that is on the table.

I want to thank Dillon Butler and Neil Pettey's for the difficult task of lugging all the needed equipment/ tools into the area and lugging everything back out, as well as for their excellent work on the improvements/ cleanup. I'd also like to thank the silent community in proximity to the bluff who contributed in the background and who kept nudging for a completion of the work to the overlook.

More updates are coming soon as we continue to complete projects across the Township, improving recreational and accessibility opportunities. Be on the lookout!

Maria Dal Pra - Peaine Township Supervisor

08/10/2026

The Peaine Twp. /CMU interns’ final presentation of what they have accomplished this year will be today at 1:00pm at the Peaine Township Hall. Hope to see you there!

08/09/2026

Special Meeting Notice

08/07/2026

A message from the Peaine Township Supervisor:

Upcoming Speed/ Road Study

In May, the Peaine Township board passed a resolution to formally request that the Charlevoix County Road Commission execute a formal speed/road study on the following roads:

-East Side Drive (including all applicable segments within Peaine Township)
-Donnel Mor
-Paid Een Ogs
-Tom McCauley

As of yesterday, I have been able to confirm that the study is scheduled to begin the week of August 17th. The study will consider the following:
85th Percentile Speed: The speed at or below which 85% of drivers naturally travel. This is one of the primary engineering measures used when evaluating speed limits.

Speed Distribution: Shows the percentage of vehicles traveling within different speed ranges.

Average Speed: Calculates the mean travel speed.

Pace Speed: Identifies the 10-mph speed range containing the largest percentage of vehicles.

Roadway Geometry: Evaluates curves, grades, intersections, roadside development, driveway density, and visibility.

Crash History: Reviews whether excessive speed has contributed to crashes.

Roadway Characteristics: Reviews lane widths, shoulders, sight distance, curves, hills, driveways, and intersections.

Once these metrics are collected, they are sent to the Michigan State Police (MSP) for evaluation and determination. Once the MSP receives the information, it can take up to one year for Peaine Township to receive the decision.

I want to thank the CCRC for being attentive to our request and ensuring that this evaluation is occurring during our requested time frame. As a community, we will have to be patient waiting for the results.

If there are additional questions, please feel free to contact me at any time.

Maria Dal Pra
Peaine Township Supervisor

08/02/2026

Understanding Tuesday's Road Millage Proposal
A message from the Peaine Township Supervisor

As many of you prepare to vote on Tuesday, I’d like to provide some factual information about the proposed Peaine Township road millage so everyone has the opportunity to make an informed decision.

First, it's important to understand the difference between a millage and a levy, as these terms are often confused.

A millage is the maximum amount voters authorize the Township to collect. A levy is the actual amount the Township chooses to collect each year through the budgeting process.

Approving a millage does not mean that amount will automatically be collected. It simply establishes the maximum the Township may levy if needed to fund the annual budget. The Township cannot levy more than what voters approve, but it may levy less. In fact, Peaine Township's voter-approved operating millage is 4.0 mills, yet the Township currently levies only 2.25 mills, demonstrating that the Board collects only what is necessary based on the board approved budget in each fiscal year.

A millage of 1.0 mil is the equivalent of $100 per $100,000 of TAXABLE property value. For example, a home with a market value of approximately $350,000 may have a taxable value of about $175,000. If the Township Board were to levy 0.5 mills of a voter approved 1.0 mill, the annual cost to that property would be approximately $87.50 per year. Actual property taxes are based on each property's taxable value (not market value), so the amount paid will vary from property to property.

There has also been some confusion regarding the recent paving of East Side Drive. The paving project was funded entirely by the Charlevoix County Road Commission using the County Road tax and at a cost to the county of $4.7 million.

There are two separate millage requests on the ballot. Peaine Township is asking for 1.0 mill to be renewed and a proposal for an additional 1.0 mill to be approved. 1.0 mill collects approximately $96,000 total for Peaine Township Roads.

The 1.0 additional proposal focuses on the roads that Peaine Township is solely responsible for maintaining and for which our current millage does not cover the necessary improvements or maintenance. Peaine Township roads total 58.32 miles of local and seasonal roads, and levied millage covers dust control and gravel production. These responsibilities belong to the Township, not the County.

The financial picture shows why members of the Board believe, after extensive review and research of past uses and current needs, this additional 1.0 mil is necessary. Over the past six budget years from 21/22 and estimated 26/27::

Road fund revenue is estimated to total approximately $423,316.
Dust control expenses are estimated to total approximately $286,686.
Gravel expenses are estimated to total approximately $289,775.
During that same period, no road improvement projects were funded through the road fund.

As a result, road maintenance expenses are estimated to have exceeded road fund revenue by an average of more than $25,000 per year. During two of those years, the Township realized savings of approximately $28,000 annually after East Side Drive became a County Primary Road. Without those savings, the average annual shortfall would have been approximately $53,000 per year.

The Board's responsibility is to plan not only for today's maintenance needs but also for the long-term condition of our road infrastructure. This proposal is intended to provide the funds necessary to continue maintaining and upgrade our Township roads responsibly.

Finally, as with any ballot proposal, misinformation can circulate. We encourage residents to rely on facts, figures, and official information, ask questions and avoid making or listening to assumptions. Transparency and accurate information are available so that voters can make an informed decision.

I will be in the Township office and available for questions from 3:30pm to 6:00pm tomorrow, Monday 8/3. Please feel free to come and chat and I am happy to share the numbers, budget, and factual information surrounding why a focus on Peaine Township’s road infrastructure is necessary and important moving forward.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about the proposal and for participating in Tuesday's election. Your vote is important.

Maria Dal Pra - Peaine Township Supervisor

07/29/2026

A message from the Supervisor:

A reminder to protect our interior lakes:
Our interior lakes are some of Beaver Island's greatest natural treasures, but they can be permanently impacted by aquatic invasive species carried on boats, trailers, kayaks, canoes, fishing gear, and other watercraft.
If you're moving a watercraft from Lake Michigan to an interior lake, please note that it is required to Clean, Drain, and Dry it before launching.

Peaine Township's Aquatic Invasive Species Ordinance requires a completed Self-Inspection Affidavit before launching into an interior lake. The ordinance and affidavit are available on the Township website. There is no cost to submit an affidavit confirming your watercraft is safe for use on interior lakes.

Protecting our lakes is a community effort. If you have questions, or observe potential concerns related to the ordinance, please contact the Township Supervisor.

Thank you for helping preserve Beaver Island's lakes for future generations.

Maria Dal Pra

07/21/2026

Roadwork Information:
Per my conversation with Reith Riley this evening, the Eastside Dr. culvert replacement is complete. Tomorrow, 7/21, the culvert between Island Energies and Carlisle Road will be replaced. Flaggers will be working to direct traffic and allow flow in both directions. Please be attentive to road crews and drive cautiously.

Thank you for your patience with the repairs to our infrastructure! Enjoy your evening,

Maria Dal Pra - Supervisor