How the Board of Trustees conduct themselves, budget deferments and progress on a “dark store” resolution were the topics of discussion at the Board of Trustees meeting Wednesday night.
Nearly half of the items on the agenda involved discussion on policy governance, which pertains to the definitions of standards for the board.
Most of the board agreed that they were following those standards. There was some concern from Trustee Norman Woerle about the aspect not having one board member speak for the rest of the board.
Another topic of conduct that was brought up was the talk of judgement of the manager or those who work under the manager, to which the board agreed that there was no problem there.
There was to be discussion about the policy involving treatment of staff, but that was tabled by Trustee Phil Mikus in order to have the board review their answers.
Discussion continued on the “Dark Store” litigation case that was brought up in the last meeting. Supervisor Ben Gunning wanted to send aid to Escanaba regarding their case. The rest of the board agreed with Gunning’s views, but not with the idea of sending them monetary aid.
“I don’t think it’s a good use of taxpayer money,” Woerle said, “I do have an alternative: we should draft a resolution saying that we support Escanaba in their legal battles.”
The board agreed with the idea, with Trustee Tim Lannen saying that it would be more valuable for the township if Woerle’s course of action was taken.
“If something similar were to happen to us, we would lose tax revenue,” Gunning said, “It would effect major parts of the township.”
During the meeting, David Coyne of Coyne Oil was elected to the vacant position on the Economic Development Authority board.
The board also approved a budget amendment from the EDA that would move money from the sewer fund in order to complete maintenance on two water pumps in the township and would move funds from the water fund to help build a water main loop on Pickard Road in order to improve water quality.
The meeting allowed for the approval of a land permit that would allow a pharmacy inside of a medical office building on Central Parkway, which was brought to them by the planning commission. The commission approved it on the condition that its hours would be 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in order to address the concerns of traffic that were expressed by those who live near the building.
A township site sidewalk plan brought by the Sidewalk/Pathway Prioritization Committee was also approved. The plan lays out guidelines for the Planning Commission and Development Community for zoning by providing a map of sidewalks.
“We want to make our town walkable and bikable,” said Mikus, who is on the Prioritization Committee.