MARQUETTE — The Marquette Township Board will consider granting SEMCO Energy Gas Co. an easement for its new natural gas pipeline during its meeting at 6:30 p.m. today at the Marquette Township Community Center.

The proposed permanent 40-foot-wide easement would consist of 1.27 acres lying north of the Carp River in Marquette Township, and a 1.11-acre section of temporary and extra work space. The total compensation to the township for the proposed easement would be $1,800.

The 43-mile long Marquette Connector Pipeline would connect the Great Lakes Gas Transmission system near Arnold with Northern Natural Gas’s system to the north in Marquette, according to a letter from SEMCO to Marquette Township.

The pipeline would consist of two segments: A 20-inch diameter line would run 36.2 miles from Arnold to Negaunee Township, near the M-35 and Marquette County Road 480 intersection; and a second 6.4-mile, 10-inch line will connect the 20-inch line in Negaunee Township to the company’s existing distribution system in the city of Marquette.

The board will also consider the second reading of a zoning text amendment governing short-term rentals.

The first reading of the zoning ordinance amendment was approved June 5 by a 5-1 vote.

The proposed zoning language defines a short-term rental as “a residential dwelling, not owner-occupied, which is rented, all or in part, on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, for 90 days or less.”

In order for a property to qualify as a short-term rental, it would have to be approved for a special use permit from the Marquette Township Planning Commission, the proposed ordinance language states.

The property would also be required to undergo a fire code review by the Marquette Township Fire Department every two years.

Board members will also consider two possible millage proposals, one to pay for a new firefighting apparatus, and another to fund police services for the township.

Township police expenses through the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office have increased incrementally since 2015.

The board at a Jan. 2 meeting approved a motion to enter into the 80-hour-per-week contract with the sheriff’s office for patrol services, despite approving a 2018 budget allocation for 60 hours per week in December as a cost-saving measure.

The sheriff’s office worked with township officials to bring down the cost of coverage. Efforts included the reduction of planned overtime, maintaining officer salaries at the 2017 rate and delaying the purchase of a dedicated township patrol car.

The board planned to revisit the contract this month, when the sheriff’s office had committed to bring additional cost savings enabling the contract to stay at 80 hours per week.

Lisa Bowers can be contacted at 906-228-2500, ext. 242.