Summary
The Kasson Township Board met April 9, 2025, with Supervisor Julian presiding and all members present. Key actions included adoption of the Sidewalk Ordinance 2025-01, review of Leelanau County Road Commission (LCRC) projects and budget, approval of bills, and discussion of fire station design costs estimated at $5.2 million. The board also addressed landfill fee correspondence and an interlocal agreement with the fire department.
Public Comments
Chase Pasicznyk announced an Easter Egg hunt in Cedar organized by the Village and Polka Fest Committee. Kathy Dawkins, representing CROWD (a local composting and recycling group), presented a proclamation on the importance of composting and said she would distribute information to the board before the May meeting. During the Road Commission presentation, resident Don Drabik asked why the Kasson Center/Newman intersection had not been converted to a 4-way stop; Mullane responded that recent changes had slowed turning traffic and brought the intersection into compliance with state and local regulations, though it remains an ongoing discussion point. No further public comments were made later in the meeting.
Infrastructure Projects
Brendan Mullane and Mel Black of the LCRC presented the 2024 annual and spending reports. The Dunns Farm Road project will proceed this year due to renewed federal funding, while Alpine and White Road projects remain on hold. The Dunns Farm Road bridge work over the Crystal River is fully funded by outside entities, including tribal and federal sources. Upcoming projects include CR-626 in Leelanau Township (2025) and Maple City Road/Cherry Bend (2026); Kasson Township’s cost share for the Maple City project will be estimated by mid-summer. Local chip seal, crack seal, and the Valley Road project (substantially funded by the township) were also discussed.
The board adopted Sidewalk Ordinance 2025-01 to regulate construction, repair, and maintenance of sidewalks townshipwide. Noonan moved and T. Carter seconded; roll call vote passed unanimously (J. Carter, T. Carter, Noonan, Boomer, Julian all yes). The ordinance takes effect 30 days after publication; related resolutions will be discussed next month.
Other Business
Cemeteries remain tabled until spring. Fire Station Design: conceptual drawings from Chief Doornbos and architect Ray Kendra were reviewed, with a $5.2 million cost estimate including about $300,000 in contingencies. The board agreed to schedule a special April meeting to discuss stakeholder outreach and funding research; specifications will be discussed at the May 1 fire board meeting. Landfill Fees: per Grier’s recommendation, the board agreed to maintain the current fee structure. Interlocal Agreement: Grier flagged legal requirements (referendum dissolution clause, public hearings) and recommended revising the draft with Fire Department Attorney Bieganowski; the board authorized funding for Grier’s continued work with fire department representatives. Reports were given by the Planning Commission, Zoning Administrator (13 land use permits, 2 land divisions), Supervisor, Assessor, Fire Board, and Clerk (no May election).
Financial Summary
Treasurer’s report: receipts $121,892.93; disbursements $144,977.61; balance $1,182,506.25. The board agreed to have Boomer request Tobin complete the F-65 report for FY2024/25. Bills were approved as presented (Noonan moved, J. Carter seconded, motion carried). Fire station cost estimate: $5.2 million, including $300,000 in contingencies.
Action Items
- Kathy Dawkins (CROWD) to distribute composting proclamation information before the May meeting.
- Boomer to request Tobin complete the F-65 for FY2024/25.
- Schedule a special meeting in April to discuss fire station stakeholder outreach and funding research.
- Fire Board to discuss building specifications with architect Kendra at the May 1 meeting.
- Send Grier’s interlocal agreement comments to the fire department, requesting authorization for Bieganowski to work with Grier on a revised draft.
- Library Board to send a letter with staffing recommendations before the May meeting.