Summary
The Bingham Township Board held its regular meeting on June 16, 2025, with all members present and a quorum established. The Board approved the agenda with amendments, approved prior meeting minutes with corrections, and took several financial actions including a budget amendment, resolution approval, and cost center transfers. Committee reports covered parks, cemetery, zoning, planning, and fire authority matters. No public comments were made during either public comment period.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Todd Stone reported that park clean-up is complete, and latches have been installed on the changing rooms at Bingham Park, allowing them to be locked from the outside if needed. Jan Stone has researched ADA-compliant swings for the parks. Stone plans to meet with Kevin on Thursday regarding the parking lot.
A resident offered a $1,000 donation toward excavating work at Groesser Park, intended to cover the cost of getting equipment to the park. The Board discussed liability insurance questions, including whether the resident carries insurance and whether the Township could cover him as a volunteer, noting that "volunteer" would need to be specifically defined. The excavating work has been put on hold until work at Boughey Park is completed. Stone will follow up with the resident on these questions. A new lawn maintenance provider has also been retained.
Other Business
- Old Business: The window blinds will be automated, with Township maintenance handling installation.
- Zoning Administrator/STR Administrator (Steve Patmore): A report was submitted. Registered short-term rentals (STRs) are at the cap of 86. The contractor on Bingham Road believes he is following the approved plan; the next step is for the attorney to send a letter. The situation on Otto Road will also be followed up with an attorney letter.
- Planning Commission (Steve Patmore, Jeff Layman): A land use permit application for a winery on Donner Road was presented at the last Planning Commission meeting and will continue to be reviewed in August.
- Fire Authority: The Board appointed Jeff Layman as the Board representative to the SB/Bingham Fire Authority (motion carried 5-0). Layman reported that the Fire Department remodel is ahead of schedule.
- Cemetery Committee: A restoration workshop sponsored by the Historical Society will be held at the cemetery, costing $3,200 paid by the Historical Society (lunch not included). Werner will bring snacks.
- Clerk: Amalfitano added a new phone number with texting capability for the Clerk position.
- Supervisor: Barb is doing well as the Assessor. Werner noted that Korson and Amalfitano bring valuable knowledge to the office. Story Roofing indicated they are about 2-3 weeks out before starting roof work.
- Trustee Comments: Layman noted the new lawn service is doing a good job.
Financial Summary
- The Board approved transferring $8,914 from zoning and $3,228 from STRs to cover deficits in three overbudget cost centers (motion carried 5-0).
- The Board approved Resolution 20250616.02, the draft budget as amended, including $6,000 in salary ($3,000 each) for Trustees and increasing payroll taxes to $16,000 (motion carried 5-0, roll call vote: Werner-Yes, Amalfitano-Yes, Korson-Yes, Layman-Yes, Stone-Yes).
- The Board approved vendor payments of $29,795.17 and payroll payments of $13,237.18 (motion carried 5-0).
- Werner requested the Township contribute $500 toward the cemetery restoration workshop; the Board agreed.
- A resident offered a $1,000 donation toward excavating equipment costs at Groesser Park; this has not yet been finalized pending liability insurance questions.
Action Items
- Stone to ask the resident offering the Groesser Park donation about liability insurance and volunteer status.
- Stone to meet with Kevin on Thursday regarding the Bingham Park parking lot.
- Attorney to send a letter regarding the Bingham Road contractor's compliance with the approved plan.
- Attorney to send a letter regarding the situation on Otto Road.
- Winery land use permit on Donner Road to continue being reviewed by the Planning Commission in August.
- Township maintenance to install automated window blinds.