Helena Township Board Meeting

October 8, 2015

 

Meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Supervisor Rick Teague.  Present: Catherine Rice, Rick Teague, Butch Bartz, Bonnie Robbins and David Peterson.  Motion to approve agenda by Bartz, supported by Robbins.

Conflict of Interest: None.

Public Comment: None

Approval of Minutes: Motion by Teague, supported by Bart and motion carried.

 Treasurer’s Report:  Beginning balance: $398,201.26

                                      Receipts:                     $8,739.13

                                      Disbursed:                 $45,266.69

                                      Balance:                   $361,673.80

Motion to approve Treasurer’s report by Robbins, supported by Teague and motion carried.

Presentation of Bills:  Sept. 1-30, $35,763.77 and Oct. 1-8, $495.40.

Speakers:  Jack Findlay spoke, representing the Alden Volunteers and DABA, about the proposed replica lighthouse which would replace the last light pole with a 60 watt bulb on the pier at the Alden S,mafe Harbor.  The base would be seven feet in diameter and the height 13 feet with a 5 watt LED revolving white light shielded 180 to 240 degrees to the shoreline.  There will be no costs to the township and a MOU (memorandum of understanding) will give the final responsibility of the light intensity and shielding to the township board.  Peterson contacted the DNR and the Antrim County Marine Patrol and received very positive reactions to the proposed lighthouse with respect to a daytime landmark identifying the Alden Safe Harbor and a light that could be seen from the water at night.  Public comments from Harvey Bartel, the owners of the Pear Tree, and Fletcher Carter spoke in favor of the replica lighthouse.  Jan Loveland delivered a petition with local residents opposed to the lighthouse and spoke about her concerns and her opposition to the lighthouse.  Jim Gurr spoke about Parks & Rec’s recommendation with a positive split vote to build the lighthouse.

Bartz made the motion to approve Park’s & Rec’s recommendation to construct a replica lighthouse at the Alden Safe harbor with support by Robbins and the motion carried with four yes votes and one no vote by Rice.

Communications: Antrim County is providing a drop-off for drugs on October 31^st, 2015 at the county building in Bellaire.

Zoning: Report given by Guy Molby.

Planning Commission: Robbins reported that the PC reviewed and minor changes to the master plan and that they would be finalized next year after a public hearing.

Ambulance: No updates at this time from representative Teague.

Parks & Rec: Ruth Smith informed the board that only one bid was received for resurfacing the tennis courts which exceeds the DNR grant.  Next spring the project will be rebid.  The Juniper Garden Club desires to place two sculpture pieces in the garden area at the Depot.  Parks & Rec Committee needs to make their recommendation to the board based on the application.  Rice informed board that there is an anonymous donor who wishes to have two new benches placed at the Alden Safe Harbor facing the West.

Roads: North Cemetery and Paige Road from SE Torch Lake Drive to Chapman are completed.

Old Business: Teague presented board with guidelines for reviewing public firework displays from township attorney.  Teague made the motion to adopt the guidelines with support by Rice and motion carried.

New Business: None.

Announcements: Peterson read resolution from insurance carrier Burnham& Flower.  Teague made the motion to adopt the resolution with support by Robbins and the motion passed.

Motion to pay bills by Rice, supported by Robbins and motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 8:44 pm.

Helena Township Clerk; David G. Peterson Jr.