Summary
The Kasson Township Board met on March 12, 2025, with Supervisor Julian presiding and all members present. The board approved the agenda, February 12 minutes, bills, and March budget amendments; discussed ongoing road, fire station, and landfill matters; approved an outdoor maintenance contract with Complete Outdoor; and directed the Cedar Area Fire & Rescue Interlocal Agreement to attorney Grier for review.
Public Comments
Brian Withers, a resident of Maple City, raised concerns about the Road Commission garage located in a densely populated part of the township. He argued it should meet the same standards as other commercial operations (green belts, noise restrictions, restricted hours outside weather emergencies), citing noise as a nuisance impacting residents' daily lives. He invited the board to a March 13 meeting with the Road Commission at his property. Board members J. Carter and T. Carter acknowledged his concerns; T. Carter questioned whether a sound ordinance would apply, and Noonan suggested the Road Commission could install a green barrier. No formal board action was taken on this issue at the meeting.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The board approved a Complete Outdoor quote covering spring cleanup and mowing/trimming services at Maple City Park, the township hall, and Kasson/East Kasson Cemeteries, including trimming bushes at Maple City Park and hauling trimmings ($180 x 2). Motion by Noonan, seconded by J. Carter; motion carried. Noonan noted pokeberry bushes overgrowing the south fence and said he would address the cleanup.
Infrastructure Projects
Sidewalk & Parking Ordinance: Consultant Kevin Krogulecki recommended adding language to Section 6 requiring sidewalks to comply with MDOT and Leelanau County Road Commission standards; the board agreed and a final draft will be presented at the April meeting. The Maple City external post box was relocated to allow sidewalk repair. Road Projects: Julian met with Maple City business owners, Krogulecki, Craig Brown, and T. Carter; parallel parking was identified as the likely path forward. Fire Station Design: Chief Doornbos is working with an architect; preliminary designs expected within weeks. Discussion continued regarding a potential land transfer from the Noonan family for the station site.
Other Business
Landfill fees: Julian will contact Grier about revising the Waste Management agreement to a per-ton basis; no reporting improvements have occurred. 2025/26 draft budget: no changes made; will be finalized at the annual meeting. Planning Commission reported ongoing review of Lively Holdings' special use requests; T. Carter plans to raise a sound/noise ordinance at the next PC meeting. Clerk reported no May election, with August/November undetermined; a November 2024 election audit found no issues.
Financial Summary
Treasurer's Report: Receipts $412,204.45; Disbursements $255,641.07; Balance $1,205,590.93. Bills approved as presented (motion by T. Carter, seconded by J. Carter). Budget amendments approved (moved by Noonan, seconded by T. Carter): Township Board Capital Outlay -$10,500; Election Wages $1,000; Election Mileage $500; Township Hall Maintenance $3,000; Capital Outlay $6,000.
Action Items
- Final draft of Sidewalk & Parking Ordinance language to be presented at the April meeting.
- Julian to follow up with Grier regarding Waste Management landfill fee restructuring.
- Interlocal Agreement for Cedar Area Fire & Rescue to be sent to Grier for legal review.
- T. Carter to raise a potential sound/noise ordinance at the next Planning Commission meeting, related to ongoing resident concerns (raised by Brian Withers) about noise from the Road Commission garage in Maple City.
- Julian to arrange cleaner for the hall between the annual meeting and April regular meeting.
- Noonan to address pokeberry bushes overgrowing the cemetery fence.