Summary
The Bingham Township Board held its regular meeting on February 16, 2026, with all members present and a quorum established. The board approved the agenda as amended, approved prior meeting minutes, adopted a corrected poverty exemption resolution for the Board of Review, approved a bid for park equipment modifications, and reviewed vendor and payroll payments. Discussion continued on creating a Short-Term Rental Administrator position, and committee reports covered building and grounds, zoning, and treasurer activities.
Public Comments
Michael Rokita attended to update the board on his Eagle Scout project related to township parks and historical information. He reported he is awaiting a final signature for his project proposal and requested additional historical sources regarding township parks. Board members recommended he contact Peggy Core for information on the park formerly known as Cores Landing on Lake Leelanau, J. Anderson regarding the acquisition of Boughey Park, and Judy Petroski regarding the Groesser properties. Rokita also mentioned he was researching signage similar to the historical township sign currently displayed at the township hall. No other public comments were made during the second public comment period.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The Parks and Recreation Committee presented an estimate from Wheelock & Sons Welding for modifications needed to prepare park equipment (previously obtained from Benzie Schools) for safe installation in township parks, totaling $1,011.17. Grant moved and Korson supported approval of the bid; the motion carried 5-0. The committee is still determining where to place the equipment within township parks. Additionally, soil testing at Boughey Park must occur after snow melt before parking lot improvements can proceed.
Infrastructure Projects
The Zoning Administrator/STR Administrator reported that a potential new cellular tower application was submitted but returned for additional information; no further action was taken at this meeting.
Other Business
- The board discussed a draft job description for a Short-Term Rental Administrator position that would assume duties currently handled by the zoning administrator, including maintaining a rental spreadsheet with permit numbers, processing permit applications and renewals, coordinating with the treasurer on permit fees, providing reports to the board, and responding to regulatory inquiries. The board discussed candidate David Wheelock, who has expressed interest, and agreed to invite him to the next meeting, further refine the job description, and review compensation based on the township pay schedule.
- The board adopted Resolution 26-2-16.1 regarding poverty exemption guidelines for the Board of Review, correcting the referenced year from 2022 to 2026. Grant moved, Korson supported; motion carried 5-0 with all members voting yes.
- Building & Grounds Committee (Rachel Amalfitano) reported on removing seasonal wreath decorations, ordering and installing blinds for township hall windows, replacing the mailbox lock and adding address numbers, cleaning and updating the hallway display cabinet, and a scheduled meeting with contractor Tom Couturier regarding installing counters in the conference room.
- Cemetery Committee (Midge Werner) - no report.
- Zoning Administrator/STR Administrator (Steve Patmore) reported ongoing zoning issues involving a multi-dwelling property dating back to the 1980s, with a Zoning Board of Appeals meeting scheduled for March 11 to address the matter. Continued inquiries regarding short-term rental regulations were also noted.
- Planning Commission (Steve Patmore, Jeff Layman) - no report.
- Fire Authority - documents emailed, no report given.
- Assessor's Quarterly Report - no report.
- Treasurer reported that tax collection activity is ongoing with the winter tax deadline approaching.
- Trustee - no report.
- The Supervisor clarified that Sandra Grant serving as both Trustee and Deputy Treasurer is permissible under township guidelines; Grant will abstain from voting on matters directly affecting deputy treasurer compensation or position due to conflict of interest.
Financial Summary
- Wheelock & Sons Welding estimate for park equipment modifications: $1,011.17 - approved 5-0.
- Vendor payments approved: $4,776.52.
- Payroll payments approved: $12,099.78.
- Amalfitano moved, Grant supported approval of these vendor and payroll payments; motion carried 5-0.
- Treasurer reported ongoing winter tax collection activity with the deadline approaching.
Action Items
- Invite David Wheelock to attend the next board meeting to discuss the Short-Term Rental Administrator position.
- Further refine the Short-Term Rental Administrator job description.
- Review compensation for the proposed position based on the township pay schedule.
- Parks and Recreation Committee to determine final placement of park equipment.
- Conduct soil testing at Boughey Park after snow melt before proceeding with parking lot improvements.
- Zoning Board of Appeals meeting scheduled for March 11 to address the ongoing multi-dwelling property zoning issue dating back to the 1980s.
- Cellular tower application returned to applicant for additional information; awaiting resubmission.
- Meeting to be held with contractor Tom Couturier regarding conference room counters.
- Sandra Grant to abstain from votes directly affecting deputy treasurer compensation or position due to conflict of interest.