“We feel like if you're going to take that much water and dump it into Ada Township, that's a problem and we should have a say or at least be able to ask questions about it. “
The storm water is from a Grand Rapids Township development located at Knapp Street and East Beltline NE. The Kent County Drain Commission has a plan to dump it into the Cook Drain which discharges into the Grand River in Ada Township.
Ada Township Manager Julius Suchy says residents should have an opportunity to question that plan.
“Why is it our township’s problem? If the water issue is created in Grand Rapids Township and the city of Grand Rapids, it should be dealt with in those locations. “
Suchy says the county failed to properly notify the township of the plan. After learning more actions were being taken at drain commission meetings without township input, Ada Township sued.
“The reason we filed lawsuit was after that second drain board meeting, you only have 20 days for a right to appeal and so we were at like the 19th day and so we had to file a lawsuit otherwise we would've lost all of our rights.”
Suchy says the two sides have now reached a settlement in which the drain commission agreed to hold a public meeting and scheduled it for Thursday, May 29 at 1pm but has not yet set a location.
