Summary
The Glen Arbor Township Board met on September 16, 2025, with Supervisor Tom Laureto presiding; Trustee Bob Hawley was absent. The board approved prior meeting minutes, accepted the Treasurer's Report, approved General Fund and Emergency Services bills and payroll, adopted a resolution transferring park debt funds, authorized a security camera project at the boat launch, approved FY27 tax rate submissions, invoiced Empire Township for fire service reconciliation, and adopted the Glen Lake Fire Department's FY27 budget.
Public Comments
No public comment was offered at the start of the meeting. Later in the meeting, a member of the public raised concerns about pedestrians walking along Oak Street near M-22 and asked the Township Board to consider installing a sidewalk in that area. No board response or decision was recorded on this suggestion.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The board adopted Resolution No. 14-2025, transferring funds from the Park Debt Service Fund to the Public Safety Building Debt Service Fund. Motion by D. Lewis, support by J. DePuy; roll call vote: Aye - D. Lewis, J. DePuy, P. Laureto, T. Laureto; Nay - none; Absent - B. Hawley. The resolution passed.
Infrastructure Projects
Clerk Laureto reported on the Security Camera Project at the boat launch, noting a Risk Reduction Grant request submitted to the township's insurer to help fund the project. She reviewed quotes from TKS Security, Eclipse Communication, Advantage Electric, and LeBear Resort, and noted the Road Commission's interest in installing a weather station as part of the project. Motion by P. Laureto, support by D. Lewis, to proceed with the project not to exceed $10,811.00 and to authorize the Supervisor to sign updated quotes. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk Laureto also relayed a request from Brendan Mullane of the Leelanau County Road Commission asking whether the board objected to continuing bridge work on County Road 675 to Bridge #2 through the winter rather than waiting until next fall. All board members expressed support for proceeding with the winter work.
Other Business
Fire Chief Ferguson reported 73 calls in August, with the department on pace for about 500 calls this year; he and three firefighters traveled to Wisconsin for a pre-build meeting on the new ladder truck, and the 9/11 memorial service drew approximately 75 attendees. He also met with the architect on a possible station remodel, with bidding to follow once blueprints are received. No Planning Commission report was given due to Hawley's absence. Board members J. DePuy and P. Laureto gave updates on B. Hawley's status, and the Supervisor asked the Fire Chief about the timing of Empire Heritage Days and the Station 2 open house.
Financial Summary
Cash on hand as of 8/31/25: General Fund $935,019.99; Emergency Services Fund $3,773,358.04; GLFD Debt Service Fund $9,056.41; Park Debt Service Fund $1,489.01; Fisher Lake SAD Fund $49,681.43; Tax Collection Fund $2,258,221.77.
General Fund bills (8/20-9/16/25) totaled $17,642.08; August payroll was $21,629.77 — approved unanimously. Emergency Services bills (8/13-9/9/25) totaled $120,264.64, with August payroll of $109,087.05 — approved unanimously. The new ladder truck invoice of $1,533,199.00 was paid, reflecting a $66,981.00 prepayment discount.
The board authorized submission of proposed FY27 tax rates via the L-4029 form. The board voted to invoice Empire Township $26,307.81 following review of the FY25 GLFD reconciliation. The board adopted the GLFD's proposed FY27 budget following the 9/10/25 Public Budget Hearing.
Action Items
- Supervisor to sign updated quotes for the boat launch security camera project (not to exceed $10,811.00).
- Continue pursuit of the Risk Reduction Grant for the security camera project.
- Fire Department to seek bids for a possible station remodel once architect's blueprints are finalized.
- Leelanau County Road Commission to proceed with Bridge #2 work over the winter, per board support.
- Township to submit FY27 tax rates on the L-4029 form.
- Invoice Empire Township $26,307.81 for FY25 GLFD reconciliation.