Summary
The Empire Township Board met May 12, 2026, with Supervisor Kathy Wiejaczka presiding. The Board approved the amended agenda and amended minutes from the May 2 meeting, heard guest presentations on solid waste planning and a South Bar Lake shoreline survey, approved bills and post-audit payments, appointed Ryan Macut as campground host, appointed library board members, and discussed clerk staffing and salary issues at length.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The Board interviewed two finalists, Matt Morneau and Ryan Macut, for the campground host position after Wiejaczka and Wolterink screened four candidates on May 9. On motion by Noonan, support by Price, the Board unanimously appointed Ryan Macut, citing his availability, healthcare background, and Boy Scouts experience. Separately, Campground Reservation Manager Yolanda Bertaud donated 21 items to the campground host building and offered to sell a sectional couch ($200) and a bookshelf ($200); the Board declined the purchases as unnecessary and, on motion by Bacon, support by Noonan, unanimously approved sending a formal thank-you letter for the donation.
On Empire Beach Parking, the Board discussed a Village request that the Township pay roughly $984 for new resident parking passes and manage distribution. The Board supported the new pass system and offered to help distribute passes, but wants an accounting from the Village of how paid-parking revenue is allocated before agreeing to pay for the passes. No vote was taken.
Infrastructure Projects
The Planning Commission unanimously approved, with conditions, the Vertical Bridge cell tower application at its April 22 public hearing, which included discussion of a third proposed site and runoff/drainage concerns. Commissioners discussed an escrow account the Township Board will need to request from Vertical Bridge; Wiejaczka and Accountant Sheree Nelson noted experience handling escrow accounts. No Township Board vote was recorded on this item.
Other Business
Bill Perkins presented on regional solid waste planning (a $30/household fee funds hazardous/electronic waste collection; a food-waste recycling mandate is in early planning). Steve Lewis reported South Bar Lake scored 107.42 on a shoreline health survey, the highest of 14 studied lakes, with no invasive aquatic species found but a "tree of heaven" and purple loosestrife noted. The Board scheduled Township office painting for May 23. Glen Lake Fire Department reported 127 calls year-to-date, 254 training hours in April, and remodeling of the Glen Lake station beginning in June. The Board reviewed the Rules of Procedure, assigning Wolterink and Bacon to revise them. William Lustig and Linda Lewis were unanimously appointed to the Glen Lake Library Board.
Financial Summary
Bills to be paid and post-audit payments were unanimously approved. Clerk Bacon recommended temporarily reducing her salary from approximately $3,500 to $1,834/month for six months while hiring Sheree Nelson as Clerk-Election Assistant/Clerk-Office Assistant; the Board unanimously approved Nelson's appointment (motion Noonan/Wolterink), though the salary reduction sparked debate over budget necessity, precedent, and future recruitment.
Action Items
Bacon and Price will follow up with Summit Fire Protection regarding extinguisher inspection access. Bacon and Nelson will arrange Nelson's swearing-in as Deputy Clerk. Wolterink and Bacon will revise the Rules of Procedure, including consent agenda and conflict-of-interest language. The Board awaits a Village accounting of parking revenue before further beach-pass funding discussion.