Officials and public discuss Arthur Cemetery

By ETHAN WALLACE 

CMU Journalism Intern 

HARRISON – At the July 13, Arthur Township meeting, it was approved for Janice LaRose to take over the Treasurer Report on behalf of Anna Sharp who was absent from the meeting. 

LaRose proceeded to give both the Treasurer and Clerk Reports.

The general fund beginning balance was $354,172.90. After deposits worth $173.23 and a monthly withdrawal of $37,482.67, the end balance is $316,852.46.

The garbage fund started out with $31,732.61. After a withdrawal of $4,063.50, $27,669.11 remained. The fire fund did not change and remained at $12,424.73

Lastly, the road fund of $123,944.79 gained $394.76 through interest and is now $124,339.55.

Ryan Fuller and Megan Knittel from Merit Network spoke about their non-profit that works with schools, rural areas and more to get internet access and internet infrastructure. The organization got a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture, which Knittel said identified areas in Arthur Township that don’t have internet access.

She said that they wanted to come to the meeting to introduce the township to Merit Network and that, if the township officials are interested, for them to reach out.

LaRose informed that Sean Smith will be appointed as the new township Sexton after his dad, Jeff Smith, offered to step down because of his health issues. 

Jeff Smith worked for Arthur for over seven years and while he wasn’t at the meeting, he was commemorated for his work by the officials.

Matthew Bednorek also addressed road projects and said the board will review what projects it can do with the township’s budget constraints. He added that Mannsiding and Asher need to be worked on, as well as Jefferson, but the township may need to wait until next year when they get the funds.

There also has been no update on the DTE Energy litigation with no expected day for the results, Bednorek said. The court hearing was held on June 17 at the Clare County 55th Circuit Court.

This litigation is DTE suing the township after they appealed their solar ordinance to stop DTE from having a solar field installed.

At the end of the meeting, Arthur Township resident Anna McClain spoke during public comments. She, and other residents who chimed in, said they had issues with the cemetery.

McClain said one of her relatives (whose name was not mentioned) was dug out of her spot and moved without the approval of the family. She continued about how she was hurt and the emotional tax from the grave being disturbed.

After McClain used more than the allotted three minutes of public comment, Bednorek said that he encouraged her to talk to the Board after the meeting to give others time during public comment. McClain continued her conversation right after the meeting was adjourned.