Summary
The Empire Township Board met February 11, 2025, with Supervisor Hendricks presiding and members Wiejaczka, Noonan, Price, and Neiswonger present. The Board approved cemetery funding requests, discussed a Deputy Treasurer position, set a fee for collecting Glen Lake School taxes, appointed members to the ZBA, authorized negotiation to sell a township fire engine, and discussed funding for pickleball court resurfacing at Lions Club Park.
Public Comments
Claude Fields requested financial support for an Ancestry.com account and for hiring his daughter, Patricia Fields, as Assistant Manager of the Cemetery. The Board approved both requests. Bob Chase, representing the Lions Club, stated the Club's intent to apply for funding to resurface the Pickleball courts, noting a signed agreement between the Township and Lions Club from the original resurfacing project.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
Noonan reported that the Planning Commission had heard a proposal for affordable housing on the Glen Lake (GL) School property. That proposal has since been defeated by the GL School Board.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Neiswonger discussed allocating $10,000 toward possible resurfacing of the pickleball courts at Lions Club Park, to be placed in the Assigned Campground Fund savings, noting she expects the actual cost to be about twice that amount. Bob Chase confirmed the Lions Club's plan to apply for funding for the resurfacing, citing an existing signed agreement between the Township and the Club. The pickleball court item will be added to the March 2025 agenda.
Other Business
- Motion by Noonan, supported by Hendricks, approved the January 14, 2025 meeting minutes; all ayes.
- Price reported still awaiting an answer regarding a Deputy Treasurer candidate, hoping to have a response by the next meeting.
- Motion by Price, supported by Noonan, approved collecting Glen Lake School taxes in Summer for $2.50 per tax parcel; all ayes.
- Three Land Use Permits were issued by the Zoning Administrator.
- Motion by Noonan, supported by Neiswonger, appointed Noonan and Tom Peterson to the ZBA board through 02/2028; all ayes.
- Motion by Noonan, supported by Hendricks, empowered Chief Ferguson to negotiate the sale of the 2003 Empire Fire Engine for between $6,000 and $10,000; all ayes.
- Motion by Wiejaczka, supported by Hendricks, approved paying bills as presented; all ayes.
- Joe Harriger installed a dead bolt lock on the women's bathroom in Town Hall at request.
Financial Summary
- Ancestry.com account cost approved at approximately $500 per year.
- Patricia Fields hired as Assistant Manager of the Cemetery for $200 per month.
- Glen Lake School Summer tax collection fee set at $2.50 per tax parcel.
- 2003 Empire Fire Engine sale negotiation range set between $6,000 and $10,000.
- $10,000 discussed for the Assigned Campground Fund toward pickleball court resurfacing, with actual costs expected to be about double.
Action Items
- Price to report back on the Deputy Treasurer candidate at the next meeting.
- Chief Ferguson to negotiate the sale of the fire engine within the approved price range.
- Pickleball court resurfacing to be added to the March 2025 agenda.