Village of Bellaire

06/02/2026

More Exciting News to Share regarding Richardi Park!

We are pleased to share that the new trees have arrived and have been planted in the Richardi Park Plan Entrance! These additions will help beautify the space, provide shade for future generations, and enhance the natural environment for everyone to enjoy!

Be sure to stop by the park and check them out on your next visit!

05/28/2026

5/28/2026
Exciting news!

DPW staff have started working at Richardi Park in removing old playground equipment to make room for new equipment. During the time of construction please strictly observe the "please do not enter" signs for blocked off equipment.

We apologize for any temporary inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your cooperation as we work to improve our local facilities.

Please reach out to Village staff with any questions or concerns.

05/26/2026

Spring clean up is here! Forest Home Township and Kearney Township offer their residents the opportunity to get rid of unwanted materials. For information on what materials are accepted please contact your township office to get more details.

Pick-up dates for inside the Village of Bellaire limits:
-Forest Home Township: Thursday June 11th
-Kearney Township: Monday June 8th

Forest Home Township 231-533-8003
Kearney Township 231-533-5719, Ext. 1
Revolution Waste 231-342-4142

05/13/2026

PUBLIC NOTICE:
Posted: 5/13/2026 @3:00pm

Please be advised that street sweeping will take place in the early morning hours on Friday 5/15/2026 in the downtown Bridge Street Area. (weather depending)

To help crews complete this work efficiently and safely, please:
* Remove all vehicles from the street during scheduled sweeping times.
*Avoid parking in designated areas until sweeping is complete.
*Use caution when traveling near work crews and equipment.

Street sweeping helps keep our roads clean, improves drainage, and maintains safe driving conditions for everyone. We appreciate your cooperation and apologize for any temporary inconvenience.

05/11/2026

Village Council Trustee Vacancy (posted 5/11/2026)

The Village of Bellaire is seeking interested and qualified individuals to fill a vacant position on the Village Council. The Village Council holds its regularly scheduled meetings on the first Wednesday of the month at 7:00 PM.

Responsibilities include:
Attend and participate in regular and special village council meetings.
Help set village policies and goals.
Engage with constituents and represent their concerns.
Review and approve the Village's budget.
Serve the community and contribute to its development.

Qualifications:
Must be a resident of the Village of Bellaire.
Be at least 18 years of age.

The Village Council will review applications and may invite candidates to a special meeting or request attendance at the next scheduled regular meeting. The council will appoint a candidate to fill the vacancy. The appointee serves until the next regularly scheduled election.

Important Notes:
This position is to fill a vacancy for the remainder of the current term.
A newly elected or appointed trustee will review the village's rules and policies.

Individuals interested in being considered for this vacancy should submit an application form. Completed forms can be mailed to Village Clerk, PO Box 557, Bellaire, MI 49615 or emailed to [email protected].
You may also be asked to attend the next council meeting to briefly introduce yourself to the council.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

04/29/2026

Update: 5/19/2026

The asset mapping has been completed. DPW staff will remove the flags as opportunity arises over the next few days. Any residents wishing to remove the flags themselves can do so.

Notice: 4/29/2026
Seeing Flags in Your Yard? Here's Why!

If you notice a blue flag in your yard, please do NOT remove them!
Our DPW crew is working on updating our Asset Management Mapping System. The crews will remove them once the work is complete.

Please Contact the DPW Garage with any questions.

04/22/2026

April 22, 2026

Village of Bellaire- Sewer Collection System Notice

On April 15, 2026 a notice was posted to limit water use to essential needs only due to the Village of Bellaire sanitary sewer collection system and wastewater treatment plant experiencing capacity issues due to extreme rainfall and significant groundwater saturation.

This limited water use request has been lifted. Water conservation is not needed at this point in time.

Although the water conservation request has been lifted it is important for residents and businesses to know that sump-pumps and other prohibited discharges into the sanitary sewer system are not permitted and should be removed immediately.

The use of sump-pumps and other prohibited discharges places unnecessary demands on our treatment system and not only limits the effectiveness of the sewer system but increases the likelihood of overloading the sewer system capacity levels.

The Village thanks you for your cooperation and understanding.

04/20/2026

FLOODING RECOVERY: UPDATE

Water levels at the Bellaire Dam have lowered and are continuing their downward trend. The “Ready” evacuation protocol for areas south of the Bellaire Dam was lifted on Sunday, April 19.

Property Damage Due to Flooding

Damage assessments are continuing; CERT team members and first responders are taking pictures of impacted homes. If you would like to conduct your own survey, a self-survey is pinned to the top of Antrim County Emergency Management’s page. Damage assessments are focused on damage to the living areas of homes.

Locations for residents to drop off vegetative debris (trees, branches, etc.) are being determined. Please be aware that County officials cannot remove any type of debris from private property.

Property Lost on the Chain of Lakes

Some property swept downstream during the flooding has been placed at municipal parks and road ends. To report missing items, an email can be sent to [email protected]. Use the subject line “Lost Property” and describe the item(s) precisely, with photos if possible.

Boating on the Chain of Lakes

• Floating/submerged debris, high water levels, and strong currents continue to be a risk to boaters. There is also an erosion concern as boat wakes in the current high-water conditions have the potential to accelerate or further damage homes, shorelines, and infrastructure.
• Thank you to the township and villages on the Lower Chain (downstream of the Bellaire Dam) that temporarily closed their public boat launches. With the waters starting to recede, those closures are no longer necessary.
• Given the large amount of debris on the Upper Chain, we are asking all townships and villages along the Upper Chain of Lakes to continue the temporary closure of their public boat launches.
• Note: the DNR will be making independent assessments of their boat launches.

To enroll in Antrim County’s alert system, go to www.getrave.com/login/antrimcounty and click the “Register” button at the upper right.

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04/16/2026

UPDATE:
Thursday Morning
4/16/2026
930am

BELLAIRE DAM: THURSDAY MORNING UPDATE

• Water levels at the Bellaire Dam are currently stable. Due to the unpredictability of rainfall, the “Ready” protocol for the Intermediate River area downstream of the Bellaire Dam remains in place.
• Emergency personnel will be using drones and boats to locate floating objects that could damage the dam.
• The Elk Rapids Hydrodam is currently stable.
• The Antrim County Road Commission is monitoring bridges.

The three safety protocols are:

Ready: When water is 12 inches below the top of the dam with levels rising 3 inches a day or more. Plan and/or pack in the event an evacuation becomes necessary. All residents and businesses on the Intermediate River downstream of the Bellaire Dam are advised to be packed for an evacuation. A “go-bag” should include medications and any important documents. Also recommended is securing outdoor items and moving valuables to higher levels.

Set: When water reaches 6 inches below the top of the dam, with water levels rising at a rate of 3 inches per day or levels rising 3 inches per day and predicted to top the dam within 48 hours. Prepare by packing and preparing your family, pets, and vehicle for potential departure.

Go: When water levels are 1 inch below the top of the dam with a high probability of topping it, with the potential for failure occurring. Follow evacuation orders; roadblocks may be installed around the perimeters.

If you choose to self-evacuate, please identify your home as empty by attaching something brightly colored to your front doorknob, e.g., a beach towel or a large scarf. An alternative would be using painter’s tape to tape a large X on the door.

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04/15/2026

April 15, 2026

Village of Bellaire- Sewer Collection System Notice

Due to recent extreme rainfall and significant groundwater saturation, the Village of Bellaire sanitary sewer collection system and wastewater treatment plant are currently experiencing capacity issues.

In an effort to manage the excess flow and reduce strain on the system, the wastewater treatment plant is temporarily bypassing a portion of the treatment process. As a result, partially treated wastewater is being discharged into the surrounding swamps.

It is critical at this time that all residents and businesses immediately reduce water usage due to current conditions within the sanitary sewer collection system.

Reminder:
Limit water use to essential needs only, including:
-Flushing toilets
-Basic sanitation (handwashing, minimal hygiene)
-Cooking related water use
Please temporarily refrain from:
-Taking long showers or baths
-Doing laundry
-Any non-essential water usage that drains into the sewer system

It is suspected that a large amount of water is entering the sewer system by sump-pumps draining from basements and crawlspaces. This is a reminder that sump-pumps are not to be connected to the sewer collection system. If you have a sump-pump connected to the sewer collection system please remove the connection immediately.

The Village will provide any updates as conditions improve.