Jordan Wilcox
Assistant Publisher
Paw Paw Village Council members addressed several infrastructure and community improvement projects during recent meetings, including approval of a village-wide smart electric meter replacement program, updates on the reopening of Briggs Dam, environmental remediation efforts near the former Paw Paw Laundry site, and the status of a Community Development Block Grant program for homeowners.
One of the council’s most significant actions was approving a proposal to replace all electric meters throughout the village with new smart meters. Installation is expected to begin in September and continue through February 2027.
Village officials said the new meters will allow utility staff to remotely read electric usage while also providing real-time information that can help identify outages and other system problems more quickly during storms or emergencies.
Residents who do not wish to have a smart meter will be able to opt out and receive a standard replacement meter instead. Village officials indicated customers choosing the non-smart option may be subject to an additional fee because utility employees would need to continue manually reading those meters.
Council members also received an update on Briggs Dam, which has reopened following completion of railing installation. While some additional signage is still expected to be installed, both the dam and the pedestrian path connecting to Lake Boulevard are once again open to the public.
The reopening follows a period during which the area had been closed while work was underway.
Another item approved by the council was a right-of-way request from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to conduct additional environmental remediation work near the former Paw Paw Laundry property, now occupied by Dollar General.
According to village officials, the site contains a groundwater plume left behind by chemicals historically used in the dry-cleaning business. EGLE has monitored the contamination since it was discovered following the laundry’s closure. The planned injection work is intended to help contain or slow the migration of the contaminated groundwater. Officials have not yet announced when the remediation work will begin.
Council members also discussed a recently awarded Community Development Block Grant that will provide financial assistance for eligible low- to moderate-income homeowners.
The grant will be administered by a third party and can be used to help fund qualifying home repairs or improvements. Village Manager Michael Miller told the council that the village is waiting for the State of Michigan to release the funding before application information is distributed to residents.
Village Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 7 p.m. at the Paw Paw District Library. Agendas are generally available through Village Hall prior to each meeting.
