Summary
The Empire Township Board met January 14, 2025, with Supervisor Hendricks presiding and members Wiejaczka, Noonan, Price, and Neiswonger present. The board approved prior meeting minutes, made several appointments, addressed the sale of the township's old fire engine, approved office equipment and staffing changes, and reviewed financial transfers.
Public Comments
Two residents raised concerns during Final Business. One resident asked that a lock be installed on the exterior door of the Township Hall's women's restroom; the Clerk agreed to check with the custodian. Another resident requested that the Township Hall flag be flown at half-mast at appropriate times; the Clerk agreed to relay this request to the custodian.
Other Business
Zoning Administrator Tim Cypher reported issuing three permits: a reissued LUP for demolition and rebuild of a dwelling on MacFarlane Rd., a reissued LUP for a new dwelling on Voice Rd., and a demo/rebuild approval for a dwelling on Whispering Pines Ln.
Board appointments (Motion-Neiswonger; support-Noonan, all ayes) included Roy Pentilla, Larry Krawzcak, and Claude Fields to the Board of Review; Lance Roman to the Airport Authority Board; and Kent Wiejaczka and Casey Noonan as liaisons to the Planning Commission.
Clerk Neiswonger swore in Micah Deegan as Deputy Clerk. The board voted (Motion-Noonan; support-Neiswonger, all ayes) to pay the Deputy Clerk position $30/hour. The board also discussed changing locks at the township office, with the Clerk to contact a locksmith for new locks and ten keys. The board was notified that the County Drain Commission officially established the Little Glen Lake Drainage District. All board members confirmed availability to attend the March 29, 2025 Annual Meeting.
Financial Summary
The board rejected an offer of $2,500 from the GT Fire Academy for the township's old fire engine (Motion-Noonan; support-Wiejaczka, all ayes), then voted to lower the asking price from $20,000 to $10,000 (Motion-Noonan; support-Wiejaczka, all ayes).
The board approved purchasing a Clerk office computer with QuickBooks and payroll software at a cost not to exceed $4,000 (Motion-Neiswonger; support-Noonan, all ayes), and approved hiring Dana Boomer as Administrative Assistant at $30/hour if needed in the Clerk's absence (Motion-Noonan; support-Wiejaczka, all ayes).
The Clerk presented the General Fund financial statement. The board approved transferring $6,760.00 from GF Prior Surplus, allocated as: Township Board Administrative Assistant $500, Assessor Equipment $300, Election Wages $1,130, Election Mileage $50, Election Equipment $750, and Township Office Equipment $4,030 (Motion-Noonan; support-Wiejaczka, all ayes). Bills were paid as presented (Motion-Noonan; support-Hendricks, all ayes).
Action Items
- Fire Chief Ferguson to lower the asking price on the fire engine sale to GT Fire Academy to $10,000.
- Treasurer Price to report back at the February meeting on efforts to find a Deputy Treasurer.
- Clerk to contact a locksmith to change office locks and obtain ten new keys.
- Clerk to check with the custodian regarding installing a lock on the women's restroom exterior door.
- Clerk to relay resident request to fly the flag at half-mast at appropriate times to the custodian.