The Elmwood Township Board held a special meeting Monday night to decide on a final plan for a new fishing pier on the West Grand Traverse Bay waterfront, and to apply for a nearly $1.1 million grant to help pay for construction of the pier.

Township supervisor Jack Kelly reported that the township Marina Committee held a special meeting Friday to review several new design options for the fishing pier created since engineers from Gourdie-Fraser & Associates presented initial drawings last month.

Kelly said the committee recommended a design option that would place a large fishing platform at the end of the pier near the harbor entrance, and another “bump out” nearer the shoreline. He noted that the pier is not just for fishing, but also for use as a “promenade” for anyone who would enjoy being out on the water.

At its special meeting this week, the township board voted 7-0 to accept the Marina Committee’s recommendation, and to forward a request for $1.1 million in grant funding to the Great Lakes Fisheries Trust (GLFT). The township would be required to pay a $55,000 match if it receives the grant.

If the grant funding is received, construction of the fishing pier could begin as early as next spring.

The GLFT had earlier granted the township some $45,000 to pay for engineered drawings for the pier. The plans were based on input received from local anglers, marina users and others through a series of meetings open to the public.

Also at its special meeting Monday night, the township board discussed what steps it might take in the coming months to deal with its obligation to help fund Grand Traverse County’s financially troubled septage treatment plant.

Kelly said the board heard briefings from Grand Traverse County finance director, Dean Bott, and the chair of the Grand Traverse County Board of Public Works, John Elashkar, at Monday’s meeting.

Elmwood is the only township in Leelanau County that is served directly by Grand Traverse County’s septage treatment plant. Several other townships in Grand Traverse County are also obligated to help fund the plant.

Kelly said the board was brought up to speed on some of the financial challenges associated with the septage treatment plant, and some possible solutions.