Summary
The Suttons Bay Township Board met on November 12, 2025, with Supervisor Periard presiding. The board approved the October 8, 2025 minutes and bills totaling $58,981.32, reviewed reports from Planning & Zoning, Parks & Recreation, the Fire Authority, and the Assessor, and discussed winter closure plans for Herman Park and Road Commission funding for Lover's Lane repairs.
Public Comments
Bill Perkins of Suttons Bay spoke about the ice rink, which he has long been involved with. He proposed that the township consider paving the rink so it could serve as basketball courts in summer and be easier to prepare for ice in winter, eliminating the need for plastic liners. He described it as a place for local kids to play and stay off drugs. This was a suggestion from Perkins; no board decision was recorded in response. No public comment was made later in the meeting.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Jared Pontius submitted a written report noting the golf outing raised $6,600 toward the playground at Herman Park. The report outlined dates for closing parks for the season and removing trash receptacles. Pete Ostrowski reported a fertilizer invoice was submitted for payment. There was no consensus on purchasing benches; funding has been reserved, but storage is not secured for winter, so the purchase will be made by March 31, 2026, within the current fiscal year's spending. The board also discussed winter closure plans for Herman Park, including limited plowing, no shoveling of walkways, removal of dog park gates to reduce damage, posting of signage, and no maintained access to the dog park (residents may access at their own risk).
Infrastructure Projects
The board discussed Road Commission funding priorities. The top repair project on the Leelanau County Road Commission's list is Lover's Lane off North Stony Point. Suttons Bay Township would need to set aside 13% of the road repair costs. NRF funding for the project fell through, and the Road Commission is uncertain when MDOT funding will become available or released.
Other Business
Planning & Zoning: Trustee Carlson reported, based on ZA Patmore's notes, that the Drakes will likely submit a revised site plan for the Cherry Beach Orchards development at the December Planning Commission meeting. The Planning Commission made progress on the Peninsula Housing project and the new Master Plan. Fire Authority: health insurance for Fire Department employees was discussed, with future union negotiations to help determine outcomes. Assessor Brow submitted a written report for the board's review.
Financial Summary
- Bills approved for payment: $58,981.32 (motion by Petroskey, seconded by Slocombe, passed).
- Golf outing proceeds: $6,600, designated toward the Herman Park playground.
- Bench purchase funding has been reserved but not yet spent; purchase deadline set for March 31, 2026.
- Suttons Bay Township would be responsible for 13% of Lover's Lane road repair costs; NRF funding fell through, and MDOT funding timing is uncertain.
Action Items
- Drakes expected to submit a revised site plan for Cherry Beach Orchards at the December Planning Commission meeting.
- Bench purchase for Herman Park to be completed by March 31, 2026.
- Township to monitor MDOT funding release for Lover's Lane road repairs and set aside its 13% share.
- Fire Authority health insurance matter to be revisited following future union negotiations.
- Next Board meeting scheduled for Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at 6:00 pm.