Residents Enjoying Hayes Gym Efforts

By DIANNE ALWARD-BIERY

Cleaver Senior Staff Writer

HARRISON – In his report to the Hayes Township Board on Feb. 25, Road Commissioner Bill Simpson spoke yet again of the Michigan Legislature in Lansing not yet addressing future funding legislation. Simpson noted that bids had been opened for tree cutting and gravel bids to be open the following week. He said the next hot topic would be frost laws, which it turns out were indeed set and began at 6 a.m. Monday, March 3.

Also offering a report was County Commissioner Gabe Ambrozaitis, who provided an overview of the previous week’s BOC meeting, including the topics of Zoom meetings coverage and a resurgence of the suggestion of possibly having an evening BOC meeting. He informed of the Board’s intention to discuss the two items at the March 5 Committee of the Whole meeting, as well as making note of the Clare County Airport 80D having received two grants from the State of Michigan for its airfield lighting upgrade, as well as for runway crack sealing.

John Marion once again noted there was nothing imminent for the Hayes Township Planning Commission other than three webinar trainings and that the next quarterly meeting is slated for April 10.

Supervisor Brendan Powell noted attending Board of Review training the previous week, that his office would be closed all the following week as he would be absent.

Treasurer Savannah Cavanaugh reported having taken in some 322 tax payments over the previous two days, including walk-in and mailed-in payments. She said there were still lots of tax bills still outstanding, yet to be paid, adding that times are tough for many residents. Cavanaugh reiterated that after Feb. 28, property taxes could only be paid through the Clare County Treasurer’s office. She also advised of the elements to know about the recently disseminated assessment statements, citing one often questioned item is the “residential improved” classification. Cavanaugh clarified that it doesn’t have anything to do with improvements to the property, but rather than it simply means there is a dwelling on the property. Another important assessment component is the Board of Review information, noting what the property owner can do if they feel the valuation is inaccurate.

It also was noted that Spicer Group had been designated as the DNR Spark Grant engineer, and their work would include property survey which is required. Residents were assured that seeing survey work on the property did not mean the township is getting a new business or a roundabout.

As part of the Digital Communications portion of the agenda, Cavanaugh reported another quiet month, and that of the 7,000 text messages 3,300 were in error due to the way the TextMyGov created phone number pools. Overall, she reported the value to the township for the contract cost just wasn’t there.

Clerk Deb Hoyt reported that last minute changes to the earned sick time plan legislation had caused plenty of confusion, however she didn’t believe any of it would affect the township, and that the mandatory information posters had been hung.

Hoyt reported 312 absentee voter applications had been mailed for the May election, which she said is the last election mailing because hereafter voters applying will be placed on the permanent ballot list – something she described as “it’s one application and you’re done.” The clerk also offered four dates of note: ballots will be received by March 22; March 24 preliminary ballot testing; April 14 Election Committee meeting to appoint election inspectors at 9 a.m. with public ballot testing at 10 a.m. that day. As always, Hoyt urged public participation in the testing to learn how the ballots are tested, something she described as “quite a process.”

Reporting on the Harrison District Library, she noted that parking lot work would begin after the winter weather breaks, along with listing various programs offered at the library. She cited ongoing children’s, teen and adult reading programs, art contests: a little easel decorating, and modeling clay with kits available. Hoyt also noted another sour dough bread class was scheduled. Additionally, Ben Traverse will be presenting “What a Folk Song Is” on March 17.

Trustee Bob Buckley reported that Little Long Lake is looking good with only a little bit of milfoil and flowering rush which are being aggressively tackled. He also offered his thanks to Powell and Trustee Rob McKay for addressing gym usage, saying he wants the public to know they’re on top of it.

In his report McKay note the second open gym had seen 22-24 people having participated, and that the child equipment previously purchased had seen use. He also informed that the gym will be open next from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 8 and 22.

Zoning Administrator Ken Hoyt reported two permits were issued in January, one for a mini storage unit and an enclosure connecting a house and garage.

Hoyt noted 36 911 calls had been received, which was down six calls from the previous year. He said there was one criminal sexual conduct, as well as one suicide [same as last year], and that Intimidation and Stalking, and Suspicious Person calls all were down.

The eight fire calls noted included one vehicle with injury, three vehicle fires, one outside storage fire, one vehicle with not injury, one clean-up and one dispatched and canceled. Fortunately, there were not structure fires reported.

-Actions taken by the Board included motions to:

-Adopt Resolution 24-15 Hayes Township second quarter budget amendment.

-Approve an update to Chapter 4 Financial Administration Policy Section 4.27 Cash Handling and Receipting revision

-Approve the treasure’s attendance at the Michigan Certified Assessing technician (MCAT) training in Gaylord, with registration of $150

-Accept the Floor Care Concepts quote, contingent on proof of insurance and W-9.

-Approve the purchase of pickleball supplies in the amount of $1,600 plus shipping, to come from ARPA funds

-Authorize the treasurer to send a cancellation notice for TextMyGov.

Speaking in Public Comment was resident Jesse LaSorda who brought to the township’s attention three addresses he deemed of blight concern, one of which he said, “takes blight to a whole different level.” He also thanked the road commission via Bill Simpson for installing a long-sought street sign.