The Holland Township Parks Department is hiring seasonal staff for the upcoming 2023 spring and summer season. We are looking for hardworking and responsible individuals that want to work outside. Job duties include general parks maintenance and labor, athletic field maintenance and prep, light janitorial duties and more. We have a variety of positions available for the upcoming season. Hours are typically Monday through Friday; 7:00am to 3:30pm with the opportunity for some weekend work and evening hours as well. Pay will be based on experience, starting at $13.25 an hour. In order to apply, individuals must have a good driving record and be willing to submit to a background check.

If you have any questions or would like to apply, please e-mail a completed job application to Dan Zwick (Parks Supervisor) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Click here for Employment Application

All rental properties must be registered with the Township annually on or before February 15. Newly constructed or newly converted rental units need to be registered within 30 days. A rental unit which is sold, transferred or conveyed needs to be registered by the new owner. A three or six-year rental certificate of compliance will be issued upon verification that the property is in compliance. Click here for the form as well as for more information. Please call (616) 395-0151 if you have any questions.

Over time roadways deteriorate and develop cracks and other defects. Snow and moisture pass through the cracks and seep into the underlying gravel base and sub-soils. The cold weather causes freezing and expansion of the moist gravel and sub-soils. As a result, the asphalt surface rises up in places in the road. This is called frost heave.

In the spring, the temperature begins to rise, the ground thaws, and the gravel and sub-soils settle leaving air pockets under the pavement. Vehicles driving over the air pockets and weakened pavement force the asphalt surface to collapse, creating a pothole.

The Road Commission utilizes two methods to patch potholes.

The first, Cold Patch, also known as cold asphalt, is the most common method to fill potholes because it can be applied right from the truck without heating. Cold patch also does not require any special heavy rolling machines or special applicators as it can be shoveled into the pothole.

Cold patch is not dependent upon warm weather. Road crews like cold patch because it retains its pliable properties when the temperature drops, so it can be used year round.

The second, Dura Patch, is a method that utilizes specialized equipment to patch potholes instead of workers with shovels, tampers and cold patch. The Dura Patch system cleans the area with compressed air, applies a tack coat, sprays the emulsion/ aggregate mix into the pothole with sufficient force to compact the material as it is applied, and then follows with dry aggregate to prevent lifting.

Dura patch is dependent upon warmer weather and is typically only used in the late spring, summer, and early fall months.

If you notice a pothole, please contact the Ottawa County Road Commission at 616-842-5400 to report the pothole location or utilize the online service request form.

Source:  Ottawa County Road Commission

As winter approaches, here are ten key tips to prepare your home for the winter months, in hopes of saving you money and keeping your family safe!

1.  Protect Indoor Pipes
According to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), a burst pipe can cause $5,000 or more in damage. Pipe insulation, which you can install yourself around any exposed copper or PVC water pipe, costs as little as 50 cents per linear foot. Use it under sinks, in attics and crawl spaces, and on pipes along exterior walls. Pay special attention to basements, where 37 percent of all burst pipes occur.

2. Insulate Your Attic or Crawl Space
Spending money to insulate your attic—exactly how much insulation you need varies by temperatures in your region—will save you money in the long run in two ways. You’ll keep your home’s heat out of the attic and in living quarters, where it belongs, and by keeping the attic cooler, you may prevent damaging ice dams from forming on your roof. 

3. Service Your Furnace and Chimney
Fireplaces, chimneys, and heating equipment are some of the biggest causes of home fires, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Have them serviced and inspected annually. Make sure the inspector examines the condition of the chimney—brick periodically needs upkeep to prevent water from leaking in—as well as the cap, which keeps heat-seeking animals out.

4. Swap In Storm Windows
Remove and store all window screens. Install glass storm windows, creating an insulating layer of air between your windows and the cold outside air. These also provide an added layer of protection against driving rain and snow during a heavy storm, even if you have newer, double-paned windows.

5. Repair Loose Roofing Shingles
If you suspect your roof has loose, damaged, or missing shingles, have a licensed roofing contractor do an inspection and make repairs before the first snow. According to the IBHS, a single cubic foot of snow or ice can weigh 20 to 25 pounds. That pressure can cause loose shingles to shift further, allowing water or moisture to permeate your roof and leak into your home.

6. Clean and Inspect Gutters
Clogged gutters can cause water to back up and then freeze once temperatures drop. Keep gutters clear and properly connected to ensure that melting snow runs off your roof and through downspouts.

7. Repair patios and pavers.
A loose patio stone or paving stone will only get worse over the winter as the natural freeze and thaw cycle of the soil hoists it farther out of place in a process called frost heave. Have loose stones reset by a mason or handyperson in the fall.

8. Look for Ailing Tree Limbs
A dead branch covered in snow can easily snap, endangering people below and potentially causing thousands of dollars worth of damage if it strikes a roof, a porch, or siding. Before the first snow, have a reputable tree service, landscape contractor, or arborist remove any dead or ailing limbs.

9. Secure Outdoor Water Sources
Drain and store any garden hoses or sprinklers before the first frost to eliminate the chance that they’ll freeze and burst. For hose bibs, shut off the water-supply valve inside your house or basement that feeds the line, then open the outdoor spigot (any water trapped inside will drain out). If you simply shut off the spigot itself, trapped water can freeze and cause a burst pipe inside.

10. Mark Garden Beds, Paths, and Driveways
After a heavy snowfall, it can be tough to see where driveways, flower beds, or walkways end and your lawn begins. Use fiberglass snow poles or driveway markers every several feet to line the edges of these areas. That helps provide a clear path whether you’re blowing or shoveling snow yourself or you hire a professional plow driver.

Source: Consumer Reports