Summary
The Empire Township Board held a special meeting on July 10, 2025, called to order by Supervisor Hedricks at 7:00pm, with board members Price, Noonan, and Wiejaczka present. The sole item of business was appointing a new trustee to fill a vacancy on the board. After discussion, the board appointed Elizabeth Wolterink as trustee. The meeting was adjourned at 7:44pm.
Other Business
Hedricks explained he had consulted County Clerk Michelle Crocker regarding the protocol for appointing a new trustee. He asked board members to speak candidly about the situation. Price raised concerns about a husband-and-wife couple serving together on the board; Hedricks noted that Crocker had confirmed several other township boards in the county have husband-and-wife members serving simultaneously. Noonan stated he felt pressured to change his vote regarding Kent Wiejaczka for the trustee position. Price then proposed appointing Elizabeth Wolterink to the trustee position, and the board reached general consensus that this was a good idea. Wolterink was invited to speak about her background before the board proceeded to a vote.
Action Items
- Hedricks made a motion to appoint Elizabeth Wolterink as trustee, seconded by Wiejaczka; the motion passed with all ayes.
- Concerns raised by Noonan about feeling pressured to change his vote on Kent Wiejaczka's candidacy, and by Price about a husband-and-wife couple serving together on the board, were discussed but no further action or follow-up was recorded in these minutes.