Draft Helena Township Board Meeting October 12th, 2023
Meeting called to order at 6:59 PM. Members present were David Peterson, Bonnie Robbins, Cathy Rice, Butch Peeples and Butch Bartz. Motion by Robbins to approve the agenda with addition of line item under Planning Commission report to address the previous action of the board and Election Worker Pay under New Business. Motion supported by Peterson and approved. Motion by Robbins to approve the September’s meeting minutes and supported by Bartz and approved.
Conflict of Interest: None
Public Comment: Paul Sak presented board with handout on private water front access 5.02.01 and restrictions applicable to property abutting lakes, rivers, or streams 5.02.02. Lori Sak voiced concerns on the language to allow camping for 180 days. She is concerned about how septic use will be handled and the language could allow lots to become campgrounds. Discussion about township’s role in regulating development on shorelines.
Treasurer’s Report: beginning balance September 1st, 2023 is $492,260.56
Total receipts: $3,267.19 and total disbursements: $35,962.09
Ending balance September 30th, 2023 is $459,565.66
Motion to approve the treasurer’s report by Robbins and supported by Bartz and approved.
Presentation of Bills: September 1-30th; $24,899.97 and October 1-12; $7,325.18
Fire Chief/Sheriff Report: Paul Fabiano presented South Torch Lake Fire & Rescue report. Supervisor reviewed Sheriff’s report.
Terry VanAlstine gave county commissioner meeting report and it will be put on township web site.
Communications: None
Zoning: Reviewed Bob Logee’s zoning report.
Planning Commission: Motion by Robbins to rescind previous zoning ordinance language changes from last month’s board meeting due to an error in complete language not being presented at the public hearing. Motion was supported by Bartz and approved by the board. Motion by Robbins to table the language change for further review. Supported by Rice and carried. Robbins stated a special meeting is scheduled for October 19th at 5:30 to begin work on master plan review.
Parks & Rec: Spark’s grant turned down. Parks and Rec working on updating the 5-year plan to submit to the DNR. Survey is available online with cutoff of Oct 31st so info can be compiled and preparation can be made for the public hearing and final approval by the board.
Roads: Nothing to report. Two emails were shared with specific road questions. Rice reported a letter had been sent to the newspaper explaining why the township is asking to raise the millage.
Old Business: No updates.
New Business: Peterson requested that the board approve an hourly increase from $14/hour to $20/hour for election workers starting with the November 7th election 2023. Peterson made the motion to approve an hourly increase from $14/hour to $20/hour for election workers starting with the Nov. 7th, 2023 election with support by Rice and motion passed.
Announcements: None
Motion to pay bills: Robbins made the motion to pay the bills and supported by Bartz and approved and motion carried.
Public Comment: Jim Gurr commented.
Adjournment by call of the chair at 8:37 PM.
Prepared by Helena Township Clerk: David Peterson