Summary
The Empire Township Board held its regular meeting on April 8, 2025, with Supervisor Hendricks presiding. The board approved minutes from prior meetings, approved hiring a deputy treasurer, discussed a possible wind/solar ordinance, and agreed to move the township website onto the county's hosting platform.
Other Business
- Motion by Noonan, supported by Hendricks, to approve the Regular Meeting minutes of March 11, 2025; all ayes.
- Motion by Hendricks, supported by Noonan, to approve the March 29, 2025 Annual Meeting minutes with one correction to the number of residents recorded as attending; all ayes.
- Treasurer Price reported he selected Alacia Acton as deputy treasurer.
- Planning and Zoning: Cypher issued 5 Land Use Permits. Noonan relayed that the Planning Commission asked whether the Board would want an ordinance for Wind/Solar. No vote was taken, but the Board reached a consensus that it would like an ordinance consistent with State of Michigan law.
- Wiejaczka reported on research into a stand-alone township website versus using the County site, including pricing from website builders. After reviewing the Empire Village site, she felt the County site could support similar features. The Board agreed to move forward using the County site as host.
- Motion by Noonan, supported by Hendricks, to excuse the absence of Clerk Neiswonger; all ayes. The Board discussed hiring a Clerk's deputy, noting it is a Township priority.
- The Board discussed having Wiejaczka take over management of the Town Hall rental schedule from Price, and possibly posting the schedule on the Township website.
Financial Summary
Motion by Noonan, supported by Wiejaczka, to hire Alacia Acton as deputy treasurer at a starting rate of $17.50 per hour; all ayes.
Action Items
- Board to consider drafting a Wind/Solar ordinance aligned with State of Michigan law, per Planning Commission inquiry.
- Move forward with transitioning the township website to the County-hosted site (Wiejaczka).
- Continue efforts to hire a Clerk's deputy, identified as a Township priority.
- Determine whether Wiejaczka will take over the Town Hall rental schedule from Price, and whether the schedule will be posted on the website.