The Empire Township Board held a regular meeting on January 13, 2026, where significant decisions included the appointment of a new supervisor, the exploration of a housing development proposal, and updates on township property use for cell tower leasing. Public comments emphasized support for the outgoing supervisor and the importance of transparency in board decisions.
Public Comments
Attendees expressed regrets over Supervisor Hendricks’ resignation and appreciated his service. Clarifications regarding the cell tower proposal were sought, alongside requests for opportunities for public input prior to board decisions. Concerns about the distribution of township information were also raised.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
Wiejaczka informed the board about the newly formed Empire Township-Village affordable/attainable housing committee. The committee is evaluating a proposal for a housing development on 40 acres of shared township-village property. Meetings are scheduled to continue in February, focusing on development feasibility and environmental assessment related to a nearby landfill. The committee aims to ensure transparency through public meetings.
Infrastructure Projects
An attorney discussed the potential leasing of township property for a new cell tower, with no immediate action taken as the board deferred consideration. Public comments were solicited regarding this topic during the discussion.
Other Business
- Supervisor Hendricks resigned due to health reasons, and the board appointed Wiejaczka as the new supervisor to ensure continuity.
- The board established the annual meeting date for March 28, 2026, at 10 a.m.
- New clerk training updates and the adoption of a Claim Payment and Disbursement Policy were also discussed.
Financial Summary
- The board approved the payments for bills, maintaining operational continuity during the transition of the clerk's office.
- Deputy clerk Sheree Nelson's compensation was temporarily increased to $50/hour for transitional work, reverting to $25/hour after the budget period.
Action Items
- The housing committee will meet again in February to assess the housing development proposal.
- The implications of the new lease for the cell tower are to be further evaluated by the board.
- Follow-up on the implementation of the Claim Payment and Disbursement Policy to ensure transparency in financial matters during operational changes.
Source Document
This summary was AI-generated from the official meeting record. The full source document is the authoritative version.