Carlton Township

Carlton Township, located in the northern tier of townships in Barry County, was founded in 1842 and covers 36 square miles. The township is primarily agricultural in a rural setting. The three lakes in Carlton that have a public access include Lawhead Lake, Middle Lake and Leach Lake. The little Thornapple River also flows through the township. State Highway M-43 bisects Carlton on its way from Barry County to Lansing.

With a population of 2331, the township is served by Hastings, Lakewood, and Thornapple Kellogg school districts, there is one mobile home park in the township.
Businesses in Carlton include: 2 vertinary services, 2 auto repair services, an auto body shop, a neighborhood grocery, a large farm equipment facility that serves area farmers throughout the county. Another asset of Carlton is the Welcome Woods Campground on Middle Lake.

Carlton starts 1 mile north from the Hastings, giving residents ready access to health care facilities, banking and shopping. The township is served by the County Sheriff, the Michigan State Police and Hastings (Birch), Freeport and Woodland Fire Departments along with Mercy Ambulance. Churches include Hastings Free Methodist, Welocome Corners United Methodist both on M43 and Lake Odessa Grace Brethren on Vedder Rd. Cemeteries include Fuller Cemetery on Charlton Park Rd., West Carlton Cemetery on M43 and Van Brocklin Cemetery on Brown Rd.

Carlton Township is governed by a five member board that meets the second Monday of each month, and is zoned and administered by the Barry County Planning and Zoning Department. Carlton is also a member of the Joint Planning Committee along with the Townships of Hastings, Rutland and the City of Hastings.

Supervisor: Brad Carpenter
Clerk: Michele Erb
Treasurer: Marlene Forman
Trustee: Gary Vandecar
Trustee: Cary Smith
Sexton: Jim Wickham
Assessor: Doug Mackenzie

CARLTON TOWNSHIP
Township Hall – 85 Welcome Rd.
Hastings, MI 49058
(269) 945-5990
(269) 945-9571 Fax