ANTWERP TWP. – At its regularly scheduled meeting on April 14, the Antwerp Township Board unanimously voted to reject the proposed addendum dated March 22 and demanded negotiation to the Van Buren District Library Board for the Van Buren District Library Branch Agreement.
In a letter dated April 15, to Wayne Rendell, Antwerp Township Supervisor, Daniel Ruzick said, “This decision was made after careful review and is final with respect to the addendum in its current and previously submitted forms.”
Ruzick said Antwerp Township’s position is based on the following:
Failure to Address Maintenance Obligations
“The proposed addendum continues to rely on language that does not establish any binding obligation for the library to contribute to building maintenance costs. As confirmed in your legal counsel’s memorandum, the existing agreements do not require the library to pay for maintenance beyond limited services. The addendum merely introduces discretionary contributions and does not correct this fundamental inequity.”
Rejection of One-Size-Fits-All Addendum Structure
“Antwerp Township will not accept a uniform addendum applied equally across all municipalities regardless of facility size, usage, or cost burden. The Antwerp facility is the largest branch (approximately 6,680 square feet), and the Township bears a disproportionate financial responsibility under the current structure. A standardized addendum is not an acceptable solution.”
Requirement for a Standalone Agreement
“The Township has clearly and consistently requested negotiation of a new, standalone agreement. A proposed contract and capital funding framework have already been provided to your Board. Those materials establish a reasonable and flexible structure, including a dedicated capital fund to ensure the long-term maintenance and sustainability of the Antwerp facility. Continued resubmission of an addendum in place of engaging on a new agreement is not productive.”
Addendum Structure Remains Insufficient “The current addendum proposal provides only discretionary, capped contributions and fails to create a predictable, enforceable, or equitable long-term funding model. This approach does not meet the Township’s minimum requirements for fiscal responsibility.
“Accordingly, the Antwerp Township Board formally requests that the Van Buren District Library Board cease submitting revised addenda and instead enter good-faith negotiations for a new, standalone agreement.
“The Township has established a firm deadline of June 14, 2026, for meaningful progress toward such an agreement.
“Antwerp Township wishes to be equally clear on the following point: the Township does not seek to remove the library from its current facility. The Board values the continued presence of the library and remains committed to ensuring uninterrupted library services for Township residents. However, that commitment does not extend to continuing under an inequitable or undefined cost structure. The Township will pursue a fair and enforceable agreement and is prepared to work within a reasonable timeframe necessary to achieve that outcome. Finally, due to the lack of progress to date, the Board formally requests the engagement of a neutral third-party mediator. Continued reliance on repeated addendum submissions, rather than substantive negotiation, necessitates structured facilitation to move this process forward.
“The Antwerp Township Board expects a timely response and a demonstrated willingness to engage in meaningful negotiations.”
Ruzick also sent the letter to Lawrence, Covert and Pine Grove townships, the City of Gobles, as well as the Van Buren County Board of Commissioners.
The Antwerp Township Board drafted 10 articles for the VBDL to consider, as well as a Capital Improvement Fund Proposal.
The proposal establishes a structured Capital Improvement Fund to ensure the long-term maintenance, repair, and replacement of major building systems. The goal is to prevent large, unexpected expenditures and to maintain the building in safe and functional condition.
This proposal recommends establishing a jointly funded Capital Improvement Reserve of approximately $30,000-$35,000 annually, shared equally between Antwerp Township and the District Library. This structured approach ensures long-term financial stability and proper stewardship of the building asset.
Ruzick told The Courier-Leader on Monday, April 20, “Given that the District Library Board has continued to submit revised addenda while Antwerp Township has been clear in seeking a new contract, highlighting mediation as a constructive path forward could help frame the next steps more clearly. It reinforces that Antwerp Township is looking for progress through a fair and structured process rather than continued back-and-forth on the addendum,” said Ruzick.
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
