Summary
The Bingham Township Board held its regular meeting on September 15, 2025, with Supervisor Werner presiding. Trustee Todd Stone was absent, though a quorum was present. The Board approved the August 18, 2025 meeting minutes and approved vendor and payroll payments. Committee reports covered Parks and Recreation, Cemetery, Zoning/STR administration, Planning Commission, and Fire Authority matters. No old or new business items were introduced, and no public comments were made.
Public Comments
No public comments were made during the meeting; both the public comment period on the agenda and the later public comments/announcements period were noted as "None."
Parks and Recreation Matters
Trustee Todd Stone, who was absent from the meeting, provided an update via text message that was read aloud by Supervisor Werner. Key points included:
- The plan for Groesser Park has been received.
- Stone is obtaining estimates to move playground equipment from Benzie.
- A storage location is needed for the equipment during the winter.
- The final date for removing trash from the parks is approximately October 1.
- Cherryland Electric requested permission to park two trailers overnight at a park for about a week. Werner indicated this could be allowed with some considerations.
Other Business
The following committee and officer reports were given:
- Building & Grounds Committee (Rachel Amalfitano): No report.
- Cemetery Committee (Midge Werner): Current cemetery maps are not to scale for cemetery software companies. Ground penetrating radar did not yield desired results. Fifteen trees were planted as part of a tree-planting effort; Rich Hulbert dug the holes for $200, and smaller stumps were ground up. The lawn service group was reported to be doing a great job.
- Zoning Administrator/STR Administrator (Steve Patmore): A resident of Whispering Hills applied for STR registration and was placed on a waiting list; the resident qualifies for an STR under Township rules, though the Whispering Hills HOA does not allow STRs. The Township does not enforce HOA requirements. Patmore is documenting complaints; three ordinance violations in a calendar year would result in permit revocation. Separately, the Au She Gun situation has applied for a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals.
- Planning Commission (Steve Patmore, Jeff Layman): The Commission will meet again regarding the Donner Road winery permit.
- Fire Authority (Jeff Layman): The remodel is complete. A union member filed a grievance, and a meeting to address it was scheduled for Thursday night.
- Assessor's Quarterly Report: No report given.
- Trustee and Supervisor: No report.
Financial Summary
The Treasurer reported that 65% of taxes have been logged in. The Clerk presented vendor and payroll reports; the Board approved vendor payments of $4,719.17 and payroll payments of $12,207.86 (motion by Layman, supported by Werner, carried 4-0).
Action Items
- Todd Stone to continue obtaining estimates for moving playground equipment from Benzie and to identify a winter storage location for the equipment.
- Trash removal from parks to be completed by approximately October 1.
- Steve Patmore to continue documenting STR complaints related to the Whispering Hills resident; permit revocation applies if three ordinance violations occur in a calendar year.
- Planning Commission to reconvene regarding the Donner Road winery permit.
- Fire Authority to hold a meeting Thursday night to address the union grievance filed after the remodel.