The Empire Township Board held regular and special meetings on March 12 and March 14, 2024, respectively. Key decisions included budgeting adjustments for various funds, updates on zoning permits, and infrastructure improvements, particularly regarding safety features at intersections. The board made several appointments and raised concerns regarding local road improvements.
Public Comments
During the regular meeting, resident Tom Petersen expressed his dissatisfaction that Liberty Street was not included in upcoming county improvement plans. He was informed that funding for smaller county roads was not currently available, but County Road Commission Manager Brendan Mullane agreed to assess the corner of Olive and Liberty Streets for possible repairs.
Infrastructure Projects
Brendan Mullane presented on Road Commission activities for 2023. A discussion centered around potential safety improvements at the M72/Benzonia Trail intersection, specifically the installation of red flashing lights on stop signs. The township board agreed to cover the approximately $10,000 cost if MDOT approves the necessary variance for installation.
Other Business
Several appointments were made: Larry Krawzcak was appointed to the Board of Review, Roy Pentilla was reappointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals, and Dale DeJager and Larry Krawzcak were reappointed to the Planning Commission. The Fire Chief reported on fire department operations and mentioned bids for a pump truck would be collected by May. The board approved the payment of monthly bills for March 2024.
Financial Summary
In the special meeting, the board reviewed and adjusted the proposed 2024/2025 FY budget. Key amendments included:
- Increasing the Township Office Repair & Maintenance account to $5,000.
- Increasing the Planning's Professional Services account to $7,000.
- Proposing a potential levy of 4.5 for Fire Department operations.
- An additional $100/week compensation for the Campground Manager, who will present a year-end report at a future meeting.
The board also approved transfers from various funds’ prior surpluses, including allocations for wages, supplies, and maintenance across multiple departments.
Action Items
- Campground Manager to attend a Board meeting with a year-end report.
- Brendan Mullane to follow up with MDOT regarding the variance for flashing stop sign lights.
- Assess the corner of Olive and Liberty Streets for possible repairs.
Source Document
This summary was AI-generated from the official meeting record. The full source document is the authoritative version.