Summary
The Empire Township Board met September 9, 2025, with Trustee Wiejaczka presiding; Hendricks was absent due to illness. The board approved the agenda and August 12th minutes, set the Fire millage rate at 5.12, approved a remote-work proposal for the campground manager, and tabled a cemetery road improvement project pending additional bids. A cell phone tower proposal for Fredrickson Rd. was discussed following an August 20th special planning commission meeting.
Public Comments
Steve Lewis, representing the South Bar Lake Association, raised concerns about South Bar Lake not being designated a "no wake" lake by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, noting the association's effort to pursue that designation. March Dye also commented on the same issue, informing the board that the Empire Village Council will hold a public hearing on September 23rd at 7:00pm to discuss the matter. Glen Lake Fire Chief Brian Ferguson commented that the fire department's capital outlay budget has increased from $195,000.00 to $325,000.00.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Wiejaczka reported on a potential new lease with the Empire Lions Club regarding pickle ball courts at Johnson Park; the board found the current lease valid until 2028 and saw no need to act on a new agreement.
Wiejaczka presented a proposal from campground manager Yolanda Bertaud to move to 100% remote work, with a new couple to be sought to live in the manager's house and handle light maintenance duties currently performed by Nicholas McCreedy. Trustee Price recommended trying the arrangement for one year. Motion by Price, seconded by Wolterink, to accept the proposal passed with all ayes.
Infrastructure Projects
Wolterink updated the board on the August 20th special planning commission meeting regarding a proposed cell phone tower on Fredrickson Rd. The applicant described a 195ft unlit mono-pole with a footprint no larger than 100ft x 100ft, and noted the township's towers are unusually clustered rather than spread out. Public comment reflected significant citizen concern about the tower.
Wiejaczka presented cemetery manager proposals for Maple Grove Cemetery road improvements: a $20,000.00 re-graveling bid from Ron Brown and Sons, and a $38,000.00 paving bid. Wolterink questioned current road conditions, and Noonan raised concern that only one bid had been solicited. Wolterink suggested seeking an independent opinion. The board tabled the matter until next month's meeting on a motion by Wolterink, seconded by Wiejaczka, passing with all ayes.
Other Business
Wiejaczka reported on a PA 660 audit of the township assessor's work, finding five discrepancies; a corrective action plan was developed with assessor Yack, with a Michigan Department of Treasury re-audit scheduled between May and November 2026. Wiejaczka also gave an update on ongoing township website work.
Financial Summary
The board set the Fire millage rate at 5.12 following review of historical millage data (motion by Price, seconded by Wolterink, all ayes). Cemetery road bids of $20,000.00 (re-graveling) and $38,000.00 (paving) were presented but not acted upon. The Glen Lake Fire Department's capital outlay budget increased from $195,000.00 to $325,000.00. Bills were paid as presented on a motion by Wiejaczka, seconded by Wolterink, all ayes. Hendricks noted the bi-annual general audit had been conducted, with the report expected at next month's meeting.
Action Items
- Corrective action plan for the five PA 660 audit discrepancies to be followed, with Michigan Department of Treasury re-audit occurring between May and November 2026.
- Cemetery road improvement decision tabled until next month's meeting; additional bid and independent opinion to be sought.
- Bi-annual general audit report expected at next month's meeting.
- Cell phone tower proposal on Fredrickson Rd. remains under consideration amid citizen concerns raised at the August 20th special meeting.
- Empire Village Council public hearing on South Bar Lake's "no wake" designation scheduled for September 23rd at 7:00pm.