Summary
The Elmwood Township Board met on December 8, 2025, with all seven members present. The Board approved the 2026 budget, salary resolutions for elected officials and trustees, a 5% across-the-board wage increase, and Ordinance 2025-2 amending the Water Service and Use Ordinance. Two special meetings were scheduled: December 23 to consider a firefighters' union contract, and January 14, 2026 to discuss the marina's ten-year plan. Invoices totaling $450,685.79 were approved for payment.
Public Comments
No public comments were offered during the Budget Public Hearing, the general Public Comment period, or Extended Public Comment.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Supervisor Shaw led discussion on plowing the M-22 Trail and adjacent sidewalk. He noted that although the trail has not yet been formally turned over to Elmwood Township, MDOT does not object to the Township plowing it. After discussing the difficulties involved, the Board reached a consensus not to plow the trail this year.
Infrastructure Projects
Harbormaster Dan Jenuwine updated the Board on marina activities and projected income for next year. He is pursuing a ten-year asset management plan and obtained an estimate of $23,000.00 from Wade-Trim to complete it, but is considering completing the plan himself with outside review instead. He requested a special meeting devoted to the marina, which the Board scheduled for January 14, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. (motion by Clerk Preston, seconded by Trustee Darga, passed unanimously by voice vote). Jenuwine also reported meeting with EGLE and Army Corps representatives regarding whether the Township's retention ponds qualify as wetlands requiring a permit to clean; the two agencies gave conflicting answers, and he prefers to simply mow and trim rather than seek a permit. He raised the possibility of a boat wash station to prevent invasive species spread between lakes. The Board also adopted Ordinance 2025-2, amending Ordinance 118 (Water Service and Use Ordinance/Cross Connection Control Program), passing 7-0 by roll call vote. Supervisor Shaw noted he and Sarah Clarren met with township engineers and the Road Commission regarding the Cherry Bend Trail Connector.
Other Business
The Board approved appointing Kathryn Dunklow to the Public Safety Committee and reappointing Jim O'Rourke and Karen Britton, unanimously by voice vote. The Board authorized Harbormaster Dan Jenuwine and Deputy Harbormaster Chad Jelinski to attend a Marina Industries Conference and Expo in Florida, at a cost of roughly $3,500.00, related to plans to replace A dock. Supervisor Shaw mentioned a time capsule in the old Norris School bell monument that two residents have asked to have opened after fifty years; its exact location within the monument is still being determined.
Financial Summary
- 2026 Budget adopted via Resolution 12 of 2025 (7-0 roll call vote).
- Supervisor salary set at $64,890.00 annually (Resolution 13, 7-0).
- Clerk salary set at $64,890.00 annually (Resolution 14, 7-0).
- Treasurer salary set at $64,890.00 annually (Resolution 15, 7-0).
- Trustee salary set at $4,250.00 annually plus $100.00 per special meeting (Resolution 16, 7-0).
- 5% across-the-board wage increase approved by voice vote.
- 2025 budget amended for streetlighting and insurance via Resolution 17 of 2025 (7-0 roll call vote).
- Invoices totaling $450,685.79 approved for payment.
- Marina ten-year asset management plan estimate from Wade-Trim: $23,000.00.
- Marina conference attendance cost estimated at $3,500.00.
Action Items
- Supervisor Shaw to locate the time capsule within the Norris School bell monument.
- Harbormaster Jenuwine to proceed with completing the marina's ten-year asset management plan, potentially with outside review.
- Special meeting scheduled December 23 at 2:00 p.m. to consider the union contract with Firefighter's Local 5387.
- Special meeting scheduled January 14, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. to discuss the marina ten-year plan.