Summary
The Bingham Township Board met on April 21, 2025, with all members present and a quorum established. The Board approved the agenda with additional discussion items, approved the March 27, 2025 minutes, and addressed old and new business including window blinds, a compost awareness proclamation, a Road Commission presentation, salary resolution discussion, and the 2025-2026 budget. Committee reports were given, appointments were made to the Parks and Recreation Committee, and vendor/payroll payments were approved. The meeting adjourned at 9:28 p.m.
Public Comments
Joe Elms raised concerns about a neighboring property on Bingham Road, stating the owners continued digging on the east side of the property and that 5-6 trucks had dumped concrete there, creating an unprotected drop-off. He asked what had been proposed under the property's permit. The Board responded that a special land use permit had been approved the previous summer, but most of the work done was not in compliance with that permit — there was no permit for dumping or for the driveway, and the building itself was not in compliance. The property is being used for commercial purposes without a commercial permit. The Board stated the next step is to refer the matter to the Township attorney, with Patmore handling that referral. Joe Elms said he would continue to keep track of what he observes.
Jessica Paquette brought her son to the meeting so he could fulfill an Eagle Scout requirement. She noted the scouts also need service hours for community improvement projects and offered to volunteer their service to the Township.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Todd Stone reported that a Parks and Recreation work day will likely be held on May 5th. The Board approved $250 for spring clean-up supplies (Werner moved, Amalfitano supported; motion carried), and approved $300 for compost, mulch for the berm, and grills (Werner moved, Korson supported; motion carried). Alan Schaub expressed interest in joining the Parks and Rec Committee, and the Board appointed him to a term ending July 21, 2026 (Werner moved, Stone supported; motion carried). Jeff Layman noted that the tables and benches at Boughey Park look good. The proposed budget for Parks and Rec was also discussed during the broader 2025-2026 budget conversation, with some projects anticipated to be funded this year.
Infrastructure Projects
Brendan Mullane, County Road Commission Manager, and Commissioner Greg Mikowski gave a presentation at 8:00 p.m. Mullane distributed a PowerPoint and discussed rebuilding culverts in the county and how the Road Commission obtains funding. He explained that the Road Commission can match 50% of the cost of local road improvements, with decisions on which local roads to cost-match based on population and mileage. Townships were advised to notify the Road Commission of desired local road improvements by September each year. He noted the Paser rating report can give townships a cost estimate for a particular road, discussed the Cherry Bend Rd. project, and reviewed the Road Commission's project list for the year. He took questions from the Board. No formal vote was recorded on this item.
Other Business
- Window Blinds: Samples and bids were reviewed. The Board appointed Mary Ann Korson and Rachel Amalfitano to decide on the blinds and place the order (Layman moved, Werner supported; motion carried).
- Kathy Dawkins, speaking on behalf of CROWD (Compost Recycling Organic Waste Diversion), asked the Board to endorse a proclamation for International Compost Awareness Week, explaining the importance of composting and a county-wide compost area effort. The Board endorsed the proclamation (Layman moved, Korson supported; motion carried).
- Salary Resolution: Werner discussed wage increases tied to cost of living and other parameters. Cindy Kacin is to email Werner regarding a pay raise.
- Zoning Administrator/STR Administrator Steve Patmore submitted a written report noting April was busy and the STR registration list is full.
- Planning Commission: An assistant needs to be hired to format the Master Plan once finished, as the InDesign program is not user-friendly; Patmore has some leads.
- Fire Authority: A Board representative needs to be appointed to the Fire Authority Board. Jeff Layman will attend a meeting to check it out, and Todd Stone may also attend.
- Assessor's Quarterly Report was submitted.
- Treasurer Korson reported reviewing the books with Sandra Grant and that things are going well.
- Supervisor Werner reported a donation received for a ballot box; excess wooden tables will be advertised on the Township website for $10 apiece, with Stone purchasing one. The Board agreed.
Financial Summary
- Vendor payments of $7,155.19 and payroll payments of $13,394.96 were approved (Stone moved, Werner supported; motion carried).
- $250 was approved for Parks and Rec spring clean-up supplies.
- $300 was approved for compost, mulch for the berm, and grills.
- 2025-2026 Budget: Discussion included inability to secure bids for lawn service for parks and cemeteries, the need to consider road funding, and leftover ARPA funds that were placed in the general fund and could be designated for projects. Werner explained revenues and distributed a schedule of expenditures based on the previous year's budget. Some Parks and Rec projects are anticipated to be funded this year. A roof bid was distributed, with ARPA funds intended to be used for the roof.
- Excess wooden tables will be sold for $10 apiece via the Township website.
Action Items
- Patmore to refer the noncompliant Bingham Road property (special land use permit violations, unpermitted dumping/driveway, non-compliant building, commercial use without permit) to the Township attorney.
- Joe Elms will continue to monitor and keep track of activity at the property in question.
- Cindy Kacin to email Werner regarding a proposed pay raise.
- Mary Ann Korson and Rachel Amalfitano to decide on and order window blinds.
- Jeff Layman (and possibly Todd Stone) to attend a Fire Authority meeting as a prospective Board representative.
- Patmore to continue pursuing leads for hiring an assistant to format the Master Plan.
- Todd Stone to bring in receipts for the $250 Parks and Rec clean-up supplies.
- Parks and Rec work day tentatively planned for May 5th.