Summary
The Empire Township Board met June 9, 2026, with Supervisor Wiejaczka, Trustee Noonan, and Clerk Bacon present at the start; Treasurer Price arrived at 7:20 pm; Trustee Wolterink was absent. The Board approved the agenda, amended and approved the May 12 minutes, approved bills and post-audit checks, purchased a fireproof cabinet, and directed a letter be drafted to residents about beach parking passes. The meeting adjourned at 8:37 pm.
Public Comments
Julie Tarr and March Maxbauer raised concerns about the need for better communication regarding the new Lake Michigan Beach Park parking passes and suggested a grace period. Following discussion, Bacon moved, supported by Noonan, to have the Supervisor and Clerk draft a letter to residents about Beach Parking Passes; the motion passed unanimously. Mac McClelland, representing the Glen Lake Association Board, thanked the Township for its collaboration, described the Association's use of burlap to smother Eurasian Watermilfoil, noted winter shoreline damage, and announced a shoreline protection seminar at the Glen Lake Area Library on June 19 at 10:00 am.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Ryan Macut has moved into the Campground Host building and was praised for his contributions. The cemetery road was completed June 4 by Ron Brown and Sons to address erosion, with Carl Noonan continuing to monitor. Regarding Lake Michigan Beach Park, the Village provided resident passes to the Township office, distributed via manual and electronic listings. The Board discussed promoting the passes given the lack of an email blast system; the office will monitor requests and clarify replacement-cost fines once confirmed.
Infrastructure Projects
Brendan Mullane of the Leelanau County Road Commission, joined by Board member Garth Greenan, discussed gas-tax funding changes and a new Neighborhood Road Fund category not available to townships. In 2025, the Commission spent $537,525 on local road maintenance in Empire Township, primarily chip sealing fair-rated Paser roads, which can extend road life 5-10 years. The Commission plans to purchase new equipment and build a cold storage facility in Sutton's Bay.
Other Business
The Fire Department reported 20 calls in May; AC and headlight repairs were completed at the Empire station, and the Glen Arbor station remodel is underway. A fundraising event, "Drinks, Putts & Fire Trucks," is scheduled June 17. The Board discussed office technology needs, including a scanner/copier/printer and laptop assessment; resident Gregory Hart offered technical assistance, and QuickBooks desktop was purchased. A draft Purchasing Policy received first reading, including a check-and-balance example involving a $20.00 broom purchase requiring department head approval.
Financial Summary
The Clerk's report listed $129,319.42 in bills to be paid (a $61.56 Honor Building Supply charge was pulled pending confirmation) and $2,028.94 in post-audit checks; both were approved unanimously. A $1,280 Township Board expense was clarified as the Drone Study for South Bar Lake. The Board approved purchasing a two-drawer fireproof cabinet from FireKing for $1,195.00.
Action Items
Supervisor Wiejaczka and Clerk Bacon are to draft a letter to residents about Beach Parking Passes. Carl Noonan will continue monitoring cemetery road erosion. The office will monitor parking pass requests and clarify replacement fines. Board members are asked to review the draft Purchasing Policy and send comments to the office.