Summary
The Empire Township Board met May 12, 2026, with Supervisor Kathy Wiejaczka presiding. The board approved bills and post-audit payments, approved a temporary clerk staffing plan with Sheree Nelson, selected Ryan Macut as the new campground host, appointed two residents to the Glen Lake Library Board, and reviewed a cell-tower (Vertical Bridge) application approved by the Planning Commission. The board also raised concerns about a proposed beach parking pass cost-sharing arrangement with the Village of Empire.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Following interviews with candidates Matt Morneau and Ryan Macut, the board voted (motion by Noonan, support by Price, unanimous) to appoint Ryan Macut as campground host, citing his availability, healthcare background, and Boy Scouts experience. Separately, Campground Reservation Manager Yolanda Bertaud donated 21 items to the campground host building and offered to sell a sectional couch ($200) and a bookshelf ($200) plus other furniture; the board declined the purchase as unnecessary and voted (Bacon/Noonan, unanimous) to send Yolanda a formal thank-you letter. Regarding Empire Beach parking, the Village is instituting a new parking pass system; the Township was asked to pay roughly $984 to purchase and distribute passes to residents. The board supported the new system but wants an accounting from the Village on how paid-parking revenue is allocated before agreeing to cover costs, and wants to review the beach deed and prior joint-meeting minutes.
Infrastructure Projects
The Planning Commission held a public hearing on April 22, 2026, regarding the Vertical Bridge cell tower application, including discussion of a newly identified third location and runoff/drainage concerns. The Commission unanimously approved the application with conditions. The Township Board will be responsible for requesting an escrow account from Vertical Bridge; Wiejaczka and the Zoning Administrator have been coordinating on this, and Accountant Sheree Nelson also has escrow experience.
Other Business
Guest presentations included a Solid Waste Council update (Bill Perkins) on regional recycling, a $30/household hazardous/e-waste funding fee, a goal to increase recycling by 10%, and a new state-mandated food waste recycling initiative. Steve Lewis presented a South Bar Lake drone survey showing no invasive species and a shoreline score of 107.42, the highest of 14 studied lakes. The board scheduled Township office painting for May 23. The Glen Lake Fire Department reported 127 calls this year, an upcoming new ambulance, pumper and ladder trucks, and station remodeling beginning in June.
Financial Summary
The Clerk's monthly salary will be reduced from approximately $3,500 to $1,834 for six months under the temporary staffing plan, understood as non-permanent. The board approved bills and post-audit payments (unanimous voice vote). The Village's proposed beach parking pass cost to the Township is approximately $984, pending clarification of revenue allocation.
Action Items
Bacon and Price to follow up with Summit Fire Protection on extinguisher inspection access; Bacon and Nelson to arrange Nelson's swearing-in as Deputy Clerk; Wolterink and Bacon to revise the Rules of Procedure per the "MTA Red Book" and address consent agenda, conflict-of-interest, and abstention provisions; board to seek Village accounting on parking revenue before further beach pass discussion.