Hayes Raises Concerns About State-Controlled Zoning Effort

By DIANNE ALWARD-BIERY

Cleaver Senior Staff Writer

HARRISON – At the Feb. 24 Hayes Township General Board meeting, Road Commissioner Bill Simpson began his report by thanking everyone who had attended the CCRC’s informational meeting at the CTE.

“I hope you’re as confused as I am now about the budget stuff,” he said. “I heard it again the next Tuesday at a training session down in Mount Pleasant – and I didn’t understand it any better then than I did at ours. That’s all I can say; we’ll get the money when we see the check. It’s a five-year program, and it’s going to take two years to see the first money.”

Simpson reported having attended a refresher commissioner training course, which he said was well worth attending. He also noted that the frost laws were on, and that he still wasn’t certain exactly when the state’s transportation funding would pay out, adding “We’ll see.”

Referencing again the previous week’s Transportation Information session held at the CTE building, Simpson noted the good turnout and voiced particular appreciation of Senator Roger Hauck having attended. “Kunse blew us off to go to Italy,” he said. “So I still have to get ahold of him. I can’t imagine turning down sub sandwiches to go to Italy to watch a hockey game.”

Hayes Township Clerk Deb Hoyt had attended that session and voiced her thanks to the Clare County Road Commission, saying she hoped it would continue every year, because it was beneficial, and provided networking time for officials, as well.

Commissioner Gabe Ambrozaitis was not in attendance but had submitted a report of the Clare County Board of Commissioners’ most recent meeting/actions, which Hayes Supervisor Brendan Powell read aloud. Powell also noted having provided County Administrator Lori Phelps with a letter of support for a Community Grant.

Treasurer Savannah Cavanaugh reported her office had processed nearly 300 tax payments just over Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 23-24, adding that $1,621,411.74 in 2025 taxes were still outstanding – an amount larger than it’s ever been during her time at Hayes. She said most of the outstanding amount was for winter taxes.

Cavanaugh also said her office had begun its first BS&A download, which had extracted 72 GB of data, and that files were still being transferred to the BS&A server, which she anticipated would take overnight to complete. She also noted that the Treasurer’s Report had not been put to the balance sheet in quite a few years, so since the balance sheet was just reconciled, there will be an effort to account for journal entries to the paid and prepaid  ensuring they are not confusing – or inaccurate.

Clerk Hoyt reiterated her appreciation for the information presented at the CCRC information session, saying it was very informative. She urged election inspectors to get in their applications ASAP so they can get registered for classes. Hoyt referenced a U.S. Postal Service webinar where she learned that the post office hadn’t changed the postmark, but has dropped its afternoon delivery – and that it will not stay open for election days.

“So, Pam [Voelker] and I are putting together some posters to inform our voters, especially, to use the drop box, or bring it in,” she said. “If you use the post office, it has to go from here to the service center, and then back here.”

She noted one piece of mail received at the township office was postmarked Jan. 8 but did not arrive until Feb. 8.

Hoyt also advised that her office would be closed from 12:30-3 p.m. Thursday, March 12 in order to visit Harrison City Hall to look at its BS&A Cloud, to get more familiar with it. She also touched on the township having to file a qualifying statement with the state every year, explaining it is based on delinquent taxes – resulting in being qualified or unqualified. She said the only real effect of being unqualified is that there are a few more hoops to jump in the grants process.

Trustee Bob Buckley deferred his time to trustee Rob McKay who had attended multiple meetings in the previous weeks. McKay reported he and Powell had the gym open the previous Saturday, with 10-14 people attending, and that all had a good time. He said they were unfamiliar faces, that usually he has a set group of guys who show up to play basketball, but this last time was totally different.

“I think it’s working,” McKay said.

He also noted a special Hayes Planning Commission meeting Wednesday, Feb. 21 where there had been discussion of recognizing a home owner’s association; review and discussion of the 2025 Annual Report; as well as discussing and updating the Hayes Zoning Ordinance, including looking at definitions.

“We’re just kind of going through it part by part, as quick as we can,” he said. “Sometimes it don’t go very quick – just letting everybody know. The next sections are a little smaller and we’ll get through them a little quicker.”

Planning Commission Chair John Marion said the next Hayes Planning Commission meeting will be April 1 – and, no, that wasn’t a joke.

It was noted that the Legislature is looking at Zoning Control bills which would place zoning regulations with the state rather than townships. “It’s just amazing that you have people who have never lived in some of these townships [who] are going to try to control them,” Marion said. “And they have no idea how it’s going to affect them. They’ve got to take a better, closer look at that.”

Zoning Administrator/Code Enforcement Officer Andrew Goodman urged people to look at the proposed actions, adding that they would affect people dramatically.

Powell noted having reached out to Rep. Tom Kunse on the topic, but hadn’t yet heard back.

Cavanaugh sought to offer clarity for those unfamiliar with the issue, saying that Michigan is trying to state that they don’t want local government to have a say in zoning.

“Saying ‘these are the rules and this is what we’re saying’,” she said. “They’re even going to put stuff capping minimum dwelling size, setbacks. It’s really silly. We know that Michigan is not a cookie cutter – every municipality has to handle things differently for their community. I definitely encourage you to do some research on what it is.” She also urged people to email Rep. Kunse telling him they want him to advocate for or against it, whatever the resident’s choice. “It’s a great way to let your voice be heard, because he wants to hear those things.”

In addition to approving the day’s agenda and the consent agenda, New Business saw four other motions. The first was for renewal of the MiDeal service at a cost of $180. It was noted the service had not been used in several years, and the motion failed. The Board then moved to:

• Approve changing Chapter 4 of the Financial Administration policy to strike the reference to MiDeal
• Approve the Clare County Early Voting Agreement
• Approve the purchase of a laptop for the Zoning Administrator, not to exceed $1,000

Under Discussion Items was the recent Gym Use Survey, which had received 31 responses: 12 from active members, and 19 who were not. She noted the majority of respondents were Hayes residents and taxpayers. Cavanaugh put forth a synopsis of how people’s preferences matched, and which combinations of accommodation might be considered. Overall, pickleball and the exercise room saw the most preference, which makes sense as they are the two most used amenities. The survey showed that most people are satisfied with how the gym functions on a first-come, first-served basis, and that one-third had no preferred designated start time for activities. She also inquired if the Board had interest in offering extended hours, but there was nothing decided at that meeting. The intent is to brainstorm some ideas before any possible action be brought to a future meeting.

In Public Comment, Pat Adams asked about the township’s spongy moth control millage passed years ago, and whether the $16,000-plus balance could be used for anything else. In the interim, the Clare County had reinstituted such a millage which is used various areas across the county as populations ebb and flow. Clerk Hoyt explained that, as the millage was designated for a specific purpose, it could be used for nothing else – even though the balance would cover aerial treatment of only about one-quarter acre in Hayes Township. Hoyt said she would bring it up at an upcoming conference.

The Hayes Township Board meets next at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 9 at the Hayes Municipal Complex, 2055 E. Townline Lake Road.