Summary
The Empire Township Board met on October 13, 2026, with Supervisor Wiejaczka presiding. The Board approved the consent agenda, including bills of $163,515.69 and post-audit bills of $1,454.89. Key actions included approving a resolution to adopt alternate Board of Review dates, authorizing investigation of a self-service campground reservation system, and hiring staff accountant Nelson as temporary Campground Coordinator during the transition.
Public Comments
No public comments were offered on agenda items. During general public comment, an unnamed attendee asked whether the environmental notification regarding the cell tower indicated a start date for the work. Wolterink and Wiejaczka responded that the Township has not received any such notification.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The Township received a letter of resignation from Yolanda Bertaud, Campground Manager, after more than 10 years of service; Wiejaczka thanked her for her work. Campground Host Ryan Macut submitted a detailed end-of-season report, and Wiejaczka thanked him as well. Clerk Bacon presented a PowerPoint noting the campground's reservation system is currently 100% manual. Motion by Wolterink, support by Noonan, to move forward with investigating and interviewing self-service reservation vendors passed unanimously. Separately, Bacon reported the need for campground staffing starting November 11 to manage manual reservations and the transition to self-service, working with volunteer Greg Hart. Motion by Noonan, support by Price, to hire Nelson as Campground Coordinator at $30.00 per hour, not to exceed $5,000 total, passed unanimously. Wiejaczka added an item to confirm the seasonal campground manager/host will be required to be on-site in 2027; further discussion is planned for November and December.
Infrastructure Projects
Vertical Bridge submitted information about adding Lotis Environmental, an environmental consultant, to the cell tower project (included in the packet). No start date has been identified for that work, per the Township's response to a public comment. The office also reported transitioning telephone and internet service from AT&T to Spectrum; the final AT&T exit payment will be approximately $147.00, with Spectrum to assign a project manager and prioritize updated internet service.
Other Business
Nelson reported realigning account numbers to match the Michigan Department of Treasury Chart of Accounts, combining Township Hall/Office and Planning/Zoning activities; all activities remain within budget. Bacon reported 521 AV ballots distributed, dual-camera monitoring of the AV drop box, a Public Accuracy test scheduled for 5:00 pm Thursday, October 22, 2026, and Election Commission approval of a pilot separate Absent Voter Counting Board. The Planning Commission is working on renewable energy ordinance amendments, reviewing Glen Arbor keyholding/lake access ordinances, and drafting language on data centers and multiplex units. The Glen Lake Fire Department reported 57 September calls (497 year-to-date), 432 training hours, new garage doors at Station 2, ongoing Station 1 remodel, new interns/members, and an expected new ladder truck delivery between late November and mid-December.
Financial Summary
Consent agenda bills totaled $163,515.69 plus post-audit bills of $1,454.89. The preliminary 2027 budget, presented by Nelson, is early-stage and includes estimated costs for property tax, salaries, pension, 2027 election needs, and possible capital outlays; board members were encouraged to discuss priorities with Nelson. The Campground Coordinator position was approved at $30.00/hour, not to exceed $5,000. The AT&T contract exit will cost approximately $147.00 as a final payment.
Action Items
- Boomer and Schroeder to incorporate red-line changes to renewable energy amendments before the October Planning Commission meeting.
- ZA Schroeder to continue drafting language on data centers and multiplex units.
- Board members to communicate budget priorities to Nelson for future drafts.
- Board to further discuss the 2027 campground manager/host on-site requirement in November and December.
- Nelson to begin Campground Coordinator duties, including transitioning phone service to Spectrum and entering historical campground data into the new system.