Summary
The Bingham Township Board met on August 18, 2025, with Trustee Todd Stone absent. The Board approved the agenda and July 21, 2025 minutes, authorized signing of a Bill of Sale for new playground equipment, approved powder coating for a teeter-totter, and approved vendor and payroll payments. Extended public comment focused on a non-permitted short-term rental (STR) in the Whispering Hills subdivision and related road/drainage damage. Committee reports covered cemetery tree planting, zoning/STR administration, the Fire Authority, and the Assessor's quarterly report.
Public Comments
- Jim Blue raised concerns about a non-permitted weekly vacation rental in Whispering Hills, noting the subdivision's covenant restricts lots to single-family residential use. He suggested the Township send a letter to the owners to stop the STR and offered evidence that courts would uphold covenant enforcement. He later stated he tried unsuccessfully to reach the owner.
- Kristen Holston described problems she has experienced with the STR and its renters.
- Melanie Dasher asked the Board to deny the owners a permit and asked what action the Board could take.
- Steve Patmore (Zoning/STR Administrator) responded that he sent the owners a letter giving them 15 days to respond.
- June Knoll noted that the Whispering Hills by-laws have been brought before the Board five times.
- Jim Blue asked how the Board would respond to a non-permitted STR in a covenant-restricted neighborhood versus one without such a covenant.
- Midge Werner responded that the Township enforces Township ordinances, not private subdivision covenants.
- Constance Coulter asked whether the Board could create an STR restriction specific to Whispering Hills. It was noted the Short-Term Rental ordinance applies township-wide.
- Steve Knoll described road damage in Whispering Hills, stating drainage issues were never addressed when the subdivision was built and that two unbuildable lots were built on, worsening road conditions. Werner responded that Whispering Hills is not a through road, so the Road Commission will not maintain it, and explained the Special Assessment District (SAD) process for road repair.
- Ingrid Santee asked whether the Road Commission could compel the builder (Cornerstone) to pay for road damage.
- Constance Coulter further explained the drainage problem, stating the road needs grading twice a year, and described the builder's handling of sand and drainage. Werner noted communities typically hire a lawyer to facilitate a SAD, and Patmore added that reference materials outline the SAD process.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The Parks and Recreation Committee (Todd Stone, absent) had business handled by the Board. Werner was authorized to sign a Bill of Sale for playground equipment purchased "as is" (Korson/Layman, motion carried 4-0). The Board approved powder coating the teeter-totter for $437.29 (Layman/Korson, motion carried 4-0). Committee members and volunteers could help move the equipment; Werner stated a company could handle moving and installation, and the Township will seek a bid for that work.
Infrastructure Projects
Extensive discussion addressed road and drainage problems in Whispering Hills, where drainage issues were not resolved during original construction and two unbuildable lots were later built on, accelerating road deterioration. Since Whispering Hills is not a through road, the Road Commission will not maintain it. Werner explained the Special Assessment District (SAD) process as a potential path to fund road repairs, noting communities typically retain a lawyer to facilitate this process. Patmore noted reference materials are available outlining SAD procedures. Ingrid Santee raised the possibility of seeking payment from the builder (Cornerstone) for road damage. No formal action or vote was taken on this matter.
Other Business
- Cemetery Committee: A tree-planting workshop for 13 trees at Maple Grove Cemetery is scheduled for September 6 at 9:00 a.m., with Boy Scout assistance. The Board is seeking volunteers for the roughly 3-hour project; the Township will provide refreshments. Tree watering was discussed.
- Zoning Administrator/STR Administrator Steve Patmore submitted a written report noting several land divisions and ongoing Planning Committee work on a permit for the Donner Road Winery; next Planning Commission meeting is September 4. An upcoming bike tour on the TART trail was noted as not requiring a permit since it does not use roads.
- Planning Commission (Patmore, Layman): nothing further to report.
- Fire Authority (Layman): The Fire Department will hire two full-time firemen; remodeling of the firemen's living quarters is complete.
- Assessor's Quarterly Report: Amalfitano read a written report addressing issues identified in an audit.
- Treasurer Korson reported that tax payments are coming in.
Financial Summary
- Powder coating of the teeter-totter approved for $437.29.
- Vendor payments of $30,622.08 and payroll payments of $12,805.30 were approved (Werner/Layman, motion carried 4-0).
- Treasurer reported tax payments are being received (no specific figures given).
Action Items
- Werner to sign the Bill of Sale for playground equipment ("as is" condition).
- Township to seek a bid for moving and installing the new playground equipment.
- Steve Patmore sent a letter to the Whispering Hills STR owners giving them 15 days to respond; follow-up on this response is pending. This STR issue reflects a recurring pattern of conflict, as June Knoll noted the Whispering Hills matter has been brought to the Board five times.
- Volunteers needed for the September 6 tree-planting workshop at Maple Grove Cemetery.
- Township/Board to consider next steps regarding a possible Special Assessment District for Whispering Hills road repairs, including potentially retaining a lawyer to facilitate the process.
- Planning Committee continuing work on the Donner Road Winery permit ahead of the September 4 meeting.