Summary
The Glen Arbor Township Board met October 21, 2025, with Supervisor Tom Laureto, Clerk Pam Laureto, and Treasurer Don Lewis present; Trustees John DePuy and Bob Hawley were absent. The Board approved routine bills and payroll, adopted Zoning Ordinance 5.1, appointed Kathy Fordyce to the Emergency Services Advisory Commission, approved disposal of old rescue tools, and declined to pursue Tree City, USA membership while welcoming the Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce (GLCC) to pursue beautification efforts on its own.
Public Comments
No public comment was offered at the start of the meeting. Later in the meeting, a member of the public spoke against the Tree City, USA proposal, saying additional ordinances are unnecessary. A representative of the GLCC stated the Chamber would like to pursue an Arbor Day event independently.
Infrastructure Projects
None reported.
Other Business
Mr. Sack and two GLCC members proposed a Glen Arbor business district beautification effort, including Township membership in Tree City, USA, which would require a Tree Ordinance, an annual Arbor Day event, dedicated tree funding, and a Tree Board. The Board expressed personal support for trees but concluded that implementing and maintaining the program was beyond Township capacity, and welcomed the GLCC to pursue its beautification goals independently.
The Board discussed disposal of 15- to 20-year-old rescue tools, no longer serviceable, which the Wexford-Missaukee Career Technical Center Public Safety Program requested for training use. Motion by D. Lewis, support T. Laureto, to acknowledge the tools have no market value and allow disposal contingent on a Hold Harmless Agreement — motion carried unanimously.
Supervisor Laureto reported the Township will receive over $2,000 less in State Shared Revenue for FY26. The Board reviewed comments from the Leelanau County Planning Commission and adopted Zoning Ordinance 5.1 (motion T. Laureto, support P. Laureto, carried unanimously). Kathy Fordyce, an Empire Township nominee, was appointed to the Emergency Services Advisory Commission effective January 1, 2026, to complete a term ending December 31, 2028 (motion T. Laureto, support D. Lewis, carried unanimously).
Unfinished business included ongoing water infiltration issues on the west side of the Township Hall during heavy rainfalls; the Treasurer volunteered to speak with the neighboring property owner about the runoff.
Financial Summary
- Cash on hand (9/30/25): General Fund $999,931.82; Emergency Services Fund $1,643,097.18; GLFD Debt Service Fund $10,056.41; Fisher Lake SAD Fund $49,684.74; Tax Collection Fund $2,403,920.73; Park Debt Service Fund closed.
- General Fund bills (9/17–10/21/25) totaled $23,845.08; September payroll $21,157.45 — approved unanimously.
- Emergency Services bills (9/10–10/14/25) totaled $1,747,392.20, including an upfront ladder truck payment yielding a $68,000 savings and a $74,000 mini pumper chassis payment; September payroll $125,064.94 — approved unanimously.
Action Items
- Treasurer to contact neighboring property owner regarding stormwater runoff affecting the Township Hall's west side.
- Chief Ferguson continuing work on Homestead and Woodstone addressing for emergency response.
- Cap. Dykgraaf continuing to determine reporting method for new State firefighter continuing-education requirements.
- County continuing replacement of 10-year-old radios; new union contract still being negotiated.
- GLCC to pursue Tree City, USA and Arbor Day initiatives independently of the Township.