Summary
The Empire Township Board met on February 10, 2026, with Supervisor Kathy Wiejaczka, Treasurer Bob Price, Clerk Cheryl Clark, and Trustee Elizabeth Wolterink present. The board appointed Casey Noonan to fill a trustee vacancy, approved a zoning ordinance amendment governing communications towers, set the 2026 meeting schedule, held salary discussions with no increases approved, and scheduled the annual budget hearing for March 28.
Public Comments
During public comment on new business, residents raised a complaint that the township hall ramp was ice-covered and a safety hazard, requested that board members speak up or use microphones, and asked that a Glen Lake Fire Department report be added to the regular agenda. Fire Chief Bryan Ferguson and Lieutenant Chad Dykgraaf introduced themselves, noting a large residential fire on Dunns Farm Road in December, 47 runs in January, ongoing union contract negotiations, and replacement of outdated software with a new NERIS system. Supervisor Wiejaczka said the safety hazard and other requests would be addressed. Earlier, correspondence was received from residents concerned about speeding on Echo Valley Road, which the zoning administrator is evaluating, and from the director of the Sleeping Bear Marathon regarding an annual permit request to be considered in March.
Infrastructure Projects
Planning Commission Chair Dale DeJager presented the history of a zoning ordinance amendment on communications towers, explaining that, per legal advice, the commission asked the board to deny two previously considered versions and approve a combined third version. The board, by motion of Wolterink/Noonan, denied the first version allowing towers on Section 20 in addition to Section 22 (all yes). By motion of Noonan/Clark, the board denied the second version, which designated all towers as special land uses without specifying sections (all yes). By motion of Clark/Wolterink, the board approved the recommended amendment (Article 5, Section 5.3), designating all communications towers as special land uses subject to special land use review, allowing all non-residential sections as siting options, and replacing specific fee costs with a fee schedule reference (all yes). A public hearing for Vertical Bridge’s tower application is also upcoming per the planning commission report.
Other Business
The board appointed former trustee Casey Noonan to the vacant trustee seat (motion Wolterink/Clark, all yes), and Noonan was sworn in immediately. The board reviewed draft rules of procedure prepared by Clark and Wiejaczka; Wolterink will prepare the next draft. The 2026 meeting schedule was approved, keeping regular meetings on the second Tuesday at 7 p.m. (motion Clark/Noonan, all yes). The annual budget hearing was set to follow the annual meeting of electors on March 28 at 10 a.m. (motion Wolterink/Price, all yes). Bill payments were approved (motion Price/Wolterink, all yes).
Financial Summary
Treasurer Price presented totals for all funds. The board voted for no salary increases: supervisor’s salary remains $14,000 (all yes, supervisor abstained); clerk’s salary remains $42,000 (all yes); treasurer’s salary remains $32,000 (all yes); trustees’ salary remains $2,400 (all yes). The board discussed and adjusted the draft 2026-2027 fiscal year budget for presentation at the annual budget hearing.
Action Items
- Zoning administrator to continue evaluating solutions for speeding on Echo Valley Road.
- Board to consider the Sleeping Bear Marathon’s annual permit request in March.
- Wolterink to prepare the next draft of board rules of procedure.
- Board to address the icy township hall ramp safety hazard and microphone/audio requests.
- Consider adding a Glen Lake Fire Department report to the regular agenda.
- Upcoming public hearing for Vertical Bridge’s communications tower application.
- Draft 2026-2027 budget to be finalized for approval at the annual budget hearing meeting on March 28.