Summary
The Bingham Township Board held its regular meeting on December 15, 2025, with Supervisor Werner absent and a quorum present. Key actions included appointing Jeff Layman as meeting chair, approving the agenda as amended to add a trustee appointment item, approving prior meeting minutes with a spelling correction, appointing Sandra Grant to fill the vacant Trustee seat through the 2026 election, confirming the 2026 meeting schedule, approving vendor and payroll payments, and accepting and approving the annual audit from Tobin & Company, P.C.
Public Comments
No public comments were made during the designated Public Comment agenda item, nor during the closing Public Comments and Announcements item.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The Parks and Recreation Committee had no report to give at this meeting.
Other Business
- Amalfitano moved and Korson supported appointing Jeff Layman as meeting chair; motion carried 3-0.
- The Board approved the agenda as amended to add the potential appointment of Sandra Grant as Trustee under New Business.
- The October 20, 2025 regular meeting minutes were approved as amended, with a correction to the spelling of "Czubak" (motion carried 3-0, referenced as the November 17, 2025 minutes in the motion language).
- The Board discussed the resignation of Trustee Todd Stone and reviewed procedures and term length for filling the vacancy. Layman moved and Korson supported appointing Sandra Grant to fill the remainder of Stone's term through the 2026 election; the motion carried 3-0 by roll call vote (Amalfitano, Korson, and Layman all voting yes).
- The Board confirmed that 2026 meeting dates will continue on the third Monday of each month, with an exception in June due to two scheduled meetings. The Supervisor is to prepare the final calendar.
- Building & Grounds Committee, Cemetery Committee, and Trustee reports were all listed as "No Report."
- The Zoning Administrator/STR Administrator, Steve Patmore, reported a busy month for permits.
- The Planning Commission (Patmore and Layman) reported introduction of a winery proposal on Highway 22; discussion of a separate winery proposal on Donner Road was postponed. The Planning Commission's next meeting is scheduled for January 8, with the schedule posted on the township website.
- Fire Authority documents were emailed and included in the meeting packet; no further discussion noted.
- The Assessor's Quarterly Report was included in the packet.
- The Treasurer reported a delayed PRE adjustment payment to Suttons Bay and noted ongoing efforts to track short-term rentals (STRs).
- The Supervisor had no report.
Financial Summary
The Clerk presented vendor and payroll reports. Korson moved and Layman supported approval of vendor payments totaling $16,163.84 and payroll payments totaling $12,582.35; the motion carried 4-0.
The Board reviewed the audited financial statements. Korson moved and Layman supported accepting the audit from Tobin & Company, P.C.; motion carried 4-0. A separate motion by Grant, supported by Amalfitano, to approve the audit from Tobin & Company, P.C. also carried 4-0, confirmed by roll call vote with Amalfitano, Korson, Layman, and Grant all voting yes.
Discussion included clarification of uninsured deposits noted in the audit, with follow-up with the auditors recommended.
Action Items
- The Supervisor is to prepare the final 2026 meeting calendar, reflecting the June exception for two scheduled meetings.
- Follow-up with the auditors was recommended to clarify the uninsured deposits noted in the audit.
- The Planning Commission is to continue discussion of the proposed winery on Donner Road at its next meeting on January 8.