Those of us on Lily Lake in Greenwood Township in Clare County, whether full timers, weekenders, or with deeded access will soon pay more for lake treatment and have NO say!
Last summer, the township board devoted their time to building a playground and pavilion and they didn’t take time to treat the lake properly.
After no treatment for 11 weeks resulting in a weedy mess, harvesting was done just prior to Labor Day.
Naturally, people complained, so the township board responded in an email dated June 10, 2018 with “…the increased amount of time involved in having the lake maintenance program…voted to pass the handling of the lake maintenance program…passed a resolution to establish a Lake Board.” One of the additional expenses of forming a Lake Board is an expensive engineering study.
Although Dave Lawrence, Township Treasurer, had been working on his Lake Board proposal for months, he didn’t have the courtesy to inform those at the Township-Professional Lake and Land Management meeting in April or even put it on that night’s agenda.
The following is excerpted from the unapproved June 6, 2018 Township minutes under New Business:
“Prior to the board meeting, board members had a workshop to discuss/plan for the Neighborhood Watch picnic. A copy of the Resolution to Establish a Lake Board was handed out for board members to review prior to tonight’s board meeting. This was done because the last of the resolution was just printed that afternoon.” “The only discussion…was to review for the meeting as they would be added to the agenda tonight. A motion made by Jess McClaughry/Dave Lawrence to approve a Resolution to Establish a Lake Board. A roll call vote was taken. Jess McClaughry—no, Jim Korman, Barb Ferrett, Dave Lawrence and Linda Bailow—yes. The resolution was adopted. A motion by Jess McClaughry/Jim Korman to have Dave Lawrence and Linda Bailow on the lake board as representatives of the township board. M/C.”
The new special assessment district will likely be comprised of many that have not contributed in the past…properties that directly benefit from the proposed improvement…this will include all lake-front properties and back lots with deeded or dedicated lake access.
In typical Greenwood Township board form, they discuss updating the software program for the cemetery for over a year and still did not make a decision but they pass an important resolution for the Lily Lake community without any notification, communication, or discussion in less than 5 minutes. It’s all about control!
- Gail Garrity, Harrison resident