Laketown Township has issued a “stop work order” to Cocoa Corp. amid an ongoing legal battle to end the composting company’s operations at 4368 60th St.
Republic Services, which owns the property, and local officials gave updates during a meeting Aug. 12. The Laketown Township Planning Commission previously voted to “terminate” the company’s operations, and Republic Services has filed a lawsuit against Cocoa Corp. in Allegan County Circuit Court.
Tom Mahoney, general manager for the site, said resolution through the courts will “take time.” Republic, he said, requested a temporary restraining order — but the motion was denied Aug. 3 by Circuit Court Judge Matt Antkoviak.
“I implore you to use whatever enforcement powers are at your disposal to ensure the orderly (end of operations),” he told officials on the Laketown Township Board.
Supervisor Steven Ringelberg asked whether the company could chain off the entrance to prevent new materials from being delivered to the site, but a shared driveway and the ongoing legal battle complicate doing so, according to Mahoney.
During the meeting, officials voted to issue a “stop work order” — similar to a cease and desist for construction and manufacturing — since the company is operating in violation of zoning rules.
Why is Cocoa Corp. being asked to cease operations in Laketown?
Cocoa has used the land at 4368 60th St. for composting since 2015. Complaints about foul odors intensified in 2025.
Laketown Township sent a warning letter to Republic in March following frustrations voiced by residents in October. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy issued an odor citation in April.
Mahoney previously said the company’s agreement with Cocoa expired in 2025. Republic issued a formal notice of default and filed a lawsuit on May 20, demanding the business cease operations and vacate the site.
According to court records, the case is scheduled for a miscellaneous hearing Sept. 22.
— Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsenintel.com.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Laketown wants compost operations to end — but it’s not that simple
Reporting by Mitchell Boatman, Holland Sentinel / The Holland Sentinel
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By Mitchell Boatman, Holland Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
