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of Clare County

Hayes Approves $82K-Plus in Road Commission Contracts

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HARRISON – The May 15 Hayes Township General Board Meeting began with a moment of silence observed in honor of John Scherrer who had passed away May 12 at the age of 87. It was noted by Rick Jones, township supervisor, that Scherrer and his mother had worked together, and Maye Tessner-Rood shared that she and Scherrer had shared the same birthday, Flag Day, though years apart. John Scherrer had served the township in many capacities including Hayes Township Clerk 1992-1996; Hayes township Supervisor 1996-1998 and 2004-2012; as well as Deputy Clerk, the Board of Review and Zoning Board of Appeals.

Providing reports to the board were Clare County Commissioner Gabe Ambrozaitis, Road Commissioner Bill Simpson, and Clerk/Register Lori Mott. Ambrozaitis informed of BOC items/actions, including the county’s audit, the $1 million fund balance which puts the General Fund at 23%. He said that is much better than it used to be, but not at 35%, which Ambrozaitis said is where the county treasurer wants it to be. Ambrozaitis also informed that the April BOC meeting was not broadcast on Zoom due to lack of staffing to run the equipment, but that he believed the regular monthly BOC meetings Zoom coverage would likely be continued.

Simpson reported that projects were going well and everything was in progress.

In her Harrison District Library report, Deb Hoyt noted the 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 31 library renovation tour, which required no signup, and would begin at the new entrance on the north end of the building.

Mott informed that 5,000 jury questionnaires had been sent oute for the 2024 selection of jurors, which needed to be filled out and returned. She emphasized that it did not mean the recipient had been selected for jury duty, but just puts them in the jury pool for 2024.

She said the county will have an August election which will be for Marion Public Schools, as well as a November recall election in Redding Township which has been filed and definitely will take place. Taking into account the May 2 special school millage elections, she said this will make three elections in this “non-election year.” Mott also informed that cities and townships are signing onto the election consolidation agreement for nine days of early voting to take place at the Clare County Building, conducted through her office for entities wishing to consolidate. She said precincts choosing not to participate will be on their own. The 2024 elections affected by the consolidation will be nine days of early voting for the state and federal elections in February, August and November.

“Every jurisdiction will have their Election Day in their own jurisdiction, like normal,” Mott said. “It’s very confusing, but we’ll talk about it more. I’m going to schedule some townhall meetings to discuss it a little more in depth as we move along.”

Mott also informed that the statutory commission to appoint a new drain commissioner, which was necessitated by the passing of Carl Parks, had met for the final time that day and had appointed Bill Faber as County Drain Commissioner.

Trustee Robert Buckley reported the Hayes Planning Commission’s quarterly meeting will be July 12, with work to include finishing the Planned Unit Development project and some other zoning issues.

Clerk Deb Hoyt reported there are some House and Senate bills in process which could allow for with some election reimbursement if the governor calls a special election that’s not an August or November election.

Zoning Administrator Ken Hoyt reported 16 permits issued in April for: two new homes, 11 accessory buildings, one new addition, one deck, and one fence. He said that makes six new homes so far this year, as compared to only five for the entire previous year. Hoyt said 911 calls were down a bit: 351 compared to 357 in 2022. While there was one first degree criminal sexual conduct, one second degree CSC, three suicides and no Narcan had been administered, he said all other categories varied by one or two from the previous April.

Hoyt said April’s elevated 20 fire calls included: six dispatched and canceled/false alarm; two downed power lines; two unauthorized burning; three vehicle fires; a grass fire; two medical assists; two electrical fires; a gas leak, and a good intention call. He also noted a mobile home fire of the previous week, and passed around photos from that fire.

Under New Business, the board moved to:

-Approve the audit engagement letter from Yeo & Yeo at a cost of $12,150 (previous year cost was $12,050).

-Approve the Clare County Equalization contract for July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024 at a cost of $500.

-Adopt Resolution 22-11 Budget Amendment.

-Accept the resignation of Deb Hoyt from the building committee.

-Appoint Ernie Teall and Jeremy Carrier (JC Designs) to the building committee, term to run through Nov. 20, 2024.

-Approve the Intergovernmental Agreement with Clare County to provide secured voting for all residents for nine (9) consecutive days – early in-person voting for all state and federal elections as required by law (consolidation with the county was approved at the Feb. 20, 2023, meeting).

-Approve closing of the gym for the week of June 12-15 due to the refinishing of the gym floor.

-Approve closing of the office on June 12 – open only for the board workshop (this is due to the refinishing of the gym floor).

-Approve Seiter Electric quotes for Outside lights at $2,400 and gymnasium lights at $1,725 (a revised quote from $2,475).

-Accept, with regret, the resignation of Mike Haley from the Zoning Board of Appeals.

-Set Special Meeting time/date of 10 a.m. June 28 for public hearings on: Close Out of FY 22-23 Budget and the FY 23-24 New Budget.

-Waive 2023 First Right of Refusal for Hayes Township foreclosed properties.

-Approve contracts as submitted by the Clare County Road Commission for Hampton Road paving with overlayment, valley gutters and some ditching (not to exceed $42,350) and Cranberry Lake Road gravel from Judy to Coolidge (not to exceed $38,965).

Tessner-Rood then introduced Savannah Cavanaugh as her newly-appointed Deputy Treasurer, adding that she had moved Clair Wade into the position of Office Assistant.

“I’m excited to have Savannah with her knowledge and what she brings to the office,” she said. “I know she will do a great job for us. So welcome, Savannah.”

-Approve the appointment of Savanah Cavanaugh as Deputy Treasurer at a wage of $15.50 per hour with a $.50 increase after 90 days.

There was also some discussion of House Bills 4526, 4527 and 4528 which deal with gravel mining. These tie-barred bills had been introduced May 8, but remained unacted on at the time the Legislature left session for the Memorial Day holiday weekend. The Legislature was due to reconvene May 30.

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