CORRECTION: In a previous version of this article statements made by Silver Creek Township Clerk Lorri Behnke were presented without their full context and, as such, could have been misinterpreted as lack of support of the township’s cleanup days. Behnke has since said she is supportive of the township’s efforts in providing cleanup days.

Additionally, a statement that was made by Silver Creek Township Treasurer Maureen Kuriata voicing concerns about passes potentially presenting a problem if the township transitioned to offering clean up days every day was misattributed to Behnke.

We regret these errors and are happy to correct them.

DOWAGIAC — Silver Creek Township’s clean-up days could be seeing some changes.

At a Silver Creek Township Board meeting, Trustee Mike Glynn brought a proposal to the board to discusses changes to clean up days to decrease costs.

Currently, the township budgets $13,000 for clean-up days, which run twice a year during the weekends of Memorial Day and Labor Day.

“We have people out there who help unload,” said Township Supervisor Bill Saunders. “[Our one worker] has been very reliable and does a good job and takes the time to stack stuff in the dumpsters, which gives us a lot more capacity than just throwing it in there.”

Saunders said the township fills up about seven dumpsters during clean up days. One is filled every year with just mattresses from people who have homes around the lakes.

Glynn proposed the process and site of the township clean up days change to save money.

He suggested teaming up with the Cass County Road Commission, which now offers pick up service for large items dumped along township roads for $250.

“This service relieves some of the pressure this township faced from this type of illegal dumping,” Glynn said. “That was part of the reason for the original trash service was to help alleviate that issue. With the county and road commission taking that on, that helps a lot.”

Glynn said a site large enough to fit a 20-yard commercial dumpster would have to be selected and developed. Development of the site would include grading, graveling, and installation of a chain-like fence tall enough to prevent unauthorized dumping. Security cameras would be installed in conjunction with the township hall’s security system earlier proposed for capital improvements.

Glynn said operational rules would remain the same as the existing rules, including obtaining a pass from town hall before dumping a two-load limit per taxable parcel per year.

“Self-serve access would be available during regular township hours, so if you come and get your pass, you could do self-serves during the week,” Glynn said.

As part of Glynn’s proposal, he suggested hiring an attendant to work a four-hour shift on Saturdays. He suggested 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The program would operate during the summer only, beginning the last week of May and going until the last week in September.

“Twelve weeks of operation would alleviate that mad rush on Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend,” Glynn said.

Glynn estimated the first-year expenses to be about $12,800. He predicted the following year’s costs would decrease.

“I’m sitting here every year for eight years or seven years, sitting here saying, ‘I don’t like this because I don’t think that I should have to subsidize somebody else’s trash,’” Glynn said.

Saunders agreed the clean-up days keep the township much cleaner.

“Once the program gets off and running, you don’t have the large rush,” Glynn said. “It makes it a lot simpler for folks, and they don’t have to hoard their trash for an entire winter.”

Township board members made no motion regarding the agenda item at the Wednesday evening meeting.