Summary
The Empire Township Board met March 10, 2026, with Supervisor Wiejaczka presiding. The board approved several committee appointments, advanced draft budget staffing decisions, accepted Clerk Cheryl Clark's resignation effective April 30, 2026, and approved a new automated payroll system. Treasurer Bob Price joined at 7:05 p.m.
Public Comments
No public comment was offered on agenda topics. During general public comment, a resident recommended that open positions be posted with the Michigan Townships Association, and another commenter raised concerns about clerk resignations due to stress, overwork, and issues with township records and turnover processes. No specific speaker names were recorded for these comments.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
Supervisor Wiejaczka reported that the Affordable Housing Committee would meet March 11 to continue discussion of a proposed development on 40 acres on Benzonia Trail.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The board voted to staff a seasonal Campground Host position, compensated with campground housing/site, with the position to be advertised (motion by Price, seconded by Wolterink; all present voted yes). Discussion covered how light maintenance duties would be shared between the Campground Host and current Campground Maintenance Manager Joe Harriger. The board also approved the annual Sleeping Bear Marathon permit (motion by Clark, seconded by Noonan; all present voted yes).
Infrastructure Projects
Trustee Wolterink reported a Planning Commission public hearing scheduled for March 25 at 7 p.m. at Empire Township Hall on the Vertical Bridge application for a new communications tower. Progress on the renewable energy ordinance and zoning ordinance review was also noted.
Other Business
The board appointed Claude Fields to the Empire Airport Authority Board, Roy Pentilla and Casey Noonan to the Zoning Board of Appeals, and Tom Peterson to the Planning Commission (all motions by Wolterink, seconded by Noonan except the second ZBA appointment seconded by Wiejaczka; all passed unanimously). Glen Lake Fire Department reported 34 calls in February and 82 year-to-date, plus recognition of Steve Lienard for 15 years of service. Office cleanup was scheduled for March 24 at 9 a.m.
Financial Summary
Approved expenditures included: ~$150 for a shared assessor's printer; a Staff Accountant position at $25/hour (~5 hrs/week) for Sheree Nelson; a Clerk-Election Assistant position at $25/hour (~10 hrs/week) through November; an Office Assistant position at $20/hour (~5 hrs/week) through November (approved 4-1, with Clark, Price, Wiejaczka, and Wolterink voting yes and Noonan voting no); a tax assessor's laptop not to exceed $1,500; and an automated payroll system (Integrated Payroll) costing $1,700/year plus a $100 setup fee.
Action Items
- Wolterink to submit a new draft of the rules of procedure for the next meeting.
- Advertise for the Clerk-Election Assistant, Office Assistant, and Campground Host positions.
- Clarify the clerk's job description and advertise for a new clerk following Clark's resignation effective April 30, 2026.
- Affordable Housing Committee to meet March 11 regarding the Benzonia Trail development.
- Public hearing on the Vertical Bridge communications tower application set for March 25, 7 p.m.
- Office cleanup scheduled for March 24, 9 a.m.