RAVENNA TOWNSHIP NEWS
MAY 2024
Ravenna Township 3770 Blackmer Road Ravenna, MI 49451 (231) 853-6205 fax (231) 853-5155
Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. & 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. and Friday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Board Briefs
The Township Board (Elmer Hoyle, Sonja Patterson, Penny Sherman, John Bonthuis, and Bruce Yonker) welcomes any comments, suggestions, or complaints that can help us to serve you better. We want to invite you to attend our board meetings that are held on the 2nd Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m. We also can be reached by phone at (231)853-6205. You may also check out our website at www.ravennatwp.com.
Ravenna Township building remodel funded with the American Rescue Plan Act money is going good and hopefully will be completed in June.
Clerk – Penny Sherman
Elections
A Special Election will be held on May 7, 2024 at Ravenna Township.
If a qualified Ravenna Township registered voter wishes to receive a ballot for every election, please check the box on the Michigan Absent Voter Ballot Application stating “Automatically send me an absent voter ballot for each future election for which I’m eligible.” The voter will automatically be sent out an Absentee Ballot for each election prior to each election.
Township Annual Dump Day
We received a grant for the Scrap Tire Event again this year. Our Annual Dump Day and Scrap Tire Event for Ravenna Township residents only will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at the Ravenna Auction parking lot 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cemetery
Prices of cemetery graves are as follows: Ravenna Township Residents are $100 per grave and Non-Residents are $500 per grave. One body and two cremains or four cremains may be buried in one grave. Also, the marker size may not exceed 36” for a single grave, 48” for a double marker, 42” for a double grave where there is an additional marker and a limit of one urn per grave. All Spring and Summer decorations must be removed prior to October 1st and Winter decorations may be placed in the cemetery from December 1st until March 1st.Summer ornamentation may be placed on April 1st.
Please feel free to contact me at the township or at my cell number (231)670-9360 or by email at penny.sherman@ravennatwp.com with any concerns or needs you may have.
Treasurer – Sonja Patterson
Property Taxes
Summer taxes will be available on July 1, 2024 and are due on September 14, 2024 without penalty. After September 14, 2024 the taxes will go up 1% per month and are still payable at the Ravenna Township Office through February 28, 2025. The Winter tax cycle begins December 1, 2024 and will be collected through Friday, February 28, 2025 until 5:00 p.m. After February 28, 2025 taxes are turned over to the Muskegon County Treasurer for collection. Application for Deferment of Summer Taxes are available at the Township Office during business hours.
Dog Licenses
Dog Licenses may be purchased at the Township Office during business hours and are now purchased year round. The renewal date for your dog’s license is the month your dog’s rabies vaccine expires. You may purchase a three year license for your dog depending on your dog’s rabies expiration date.\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
Museum Musings
The museum is open on Wednesdays from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. or by appointment. If you would like to speak with a Historical Society member you may reach Maryde Housler at (231)853-2400.
Library Lingo
Our Friends of the Library Group are saving Ravenna Food’s Receipts. The library receives 1% of the total sales per quarter. You can bring your receipts into the library or the Ravenna Township Office. Randy VanAelst was appointed to the three year term on the MADL Board.
Ravenna Branch Library’s hours for are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Wednesday 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Curbside service is available by calling (231) 853- 6975.
Senior Events
The Senior Luncheon will be a sit-down meal at Ravenna Baptist Church the first Tuesday of each month (unless otherwise noted) from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. There is a suggested donation of $5. Reservations are required. Shopping transportation is available the first Wednesday of each month.
Our FOOT CARE program for Ravenna Township/Village residents is well underway. There is no charge for this service. Participation is limited to 10 each date.
All of these programs are funded in part or in whole by the Muskegon County Senior Millage to Muskegon County residents 60+. For reservations to any of these senior programs, please call Peggy at (231)335-3280 or email at ravennaseniors@gmail.com.
Ravenna Area Fire Department
Reflective Address Signs may be purchased for $20. Smoke Detectors are also available. For questions about burn permits please go to www.dnr.state.mi.us/burnpermits. Smoke Detectors are available through the Ravenna Area Fire Department.
I can be reached at the Ravenna Township Office (231)853-6205, my cell phone number 231-740-3534 or by email at sonja.patterson@ravennatwp.com.
Supervisor – Elmer Hoyle
I have received numerous calls regarding roads. I will contact the Muskegon County Road Commission regarding these issues. I can be reached by cell at (231)215-2658 or email at elmer.hoyle@ravennatwp.com.
Zoning & Building – Fresh Coast Planning – Kevin Yeomans
If you have any building or zoning questions, be sure to visit the township hall during my office hours on Tuesdays 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. You can contact me at (231)853-6205 or by email at kevin@freshcoastplanning.com. Once your building request is approved please call Michigan Township Services (231)865-3310 located at 5855 Airline Rd., Fruitport, to assist you in the details of your project.
Address numbers are now given by Muskegon Central Dispatch. Please call Nicholas Martin at (231)722-3524 ext. 1006 or email at Nicholas.Martin@mcd911.net.
Assessor – Sheryl Moss
The assessor’s office hours are Mondays 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. If you need to speak with the assessor, please call (231)853-6205, email at assessor@ravennatwp.com or stop in at the Township Hall on Monday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.