Summary
The Empire Township Annual Meeting of the Electors was called to order by Supervisor Kathy Wiejaczka at 10:02 a.m. on March 28, 2026, with 16 electors present, including all five Township Board members and the deputy clerk. The board approved the agenda, heard annual reports from township officials, approved salary resolutions with no changes, and adjourned at 10:27 a.m.
Public Comments
No elector comments were made on agenda topics or on any other topic during the meeting.
Infrastructure Projects
Supervisor Wiejaczka reported that the township board approved cemetery road improvements this year with cost sharing from Glen Arbor. The board also adopted a zoning ordinance amendment for communication towers, adding more controls and location options. The Planning Commission, per Chair Dale DeJager's report presented by Elizabeth Wolterink, also worked on zoning ordinance updates related to communication towers and renewable energy compliance.
Cemetery Manager Carl (Bucky) Noonan reported plans for a site survey and paving of access roads through cemetery sections 4, 5, and 6, along with opening section 6, which will add approximately 70 new sites to Maple Grove Cemetery (bringing the total to approximately 2,500 sites). Currently only 9 sites are available.
Other Business
Wiejaczka summarized board activity for the year, including a fire millage rate increase, support for a no-wake designation on South Bar Lake, website improvements, financial process improvements, and adoption of an automatic payroll system. Several staff resignations and new appointments occurred during the year, including clerk, supervisor, trustee, deputy clerk, deputy treasurer, zoning administrator, cemetery manager, and staff accountant positions; some vacancies, including temporary clerk support, are still being filled. Wiejaczka also organized a township office clean-up day, with ongoing office improvements.
Library Director David Diller reported increased community engagement at the Glen Lake Community Library, with steadier year-round visitor traffic and heavy use of its multi-purpose room and reading lounge. The Friends of the Glen Lake Community Library donated 30 solar panels this year to support sustainability goals. No reports were given for the Glen Lake Fire Department, Empire Township Airport, Empire Township Campground, or the County Solid Waste Council.
Financial Summary
Motion by Casey Noonan, seconded by Elizabeth Wolterink, to maintain current annual salaries with no adjustments: Supervisor–$14,000; Clerk–$42,000; Treasurer–$32,000; each Trustee–$2,400. All present voted yes; motion passed. Diller noted that the library's property tax millage will be up for renewal this year.
Action Items
- Fill remaining staff vacancies, including temporary clerk support positions.
- Complete cemetery site survey and paving of access roads through sections 4, 5, and 6.
- Open cemetery section 6 to add approximately 70 new burial sites.
- Library millage renewal to be addressed this year.