Updates from Arthur Township’s June Board Meeting

By ETHAN WALLACE 

CMU Journalism Intern 

HARRISON – The Arthur Township Board meeting only had a few items on its agenda at their June 8 meeting. Clare County Commissioner Jack Kleinhardt talked about public support for recycling centers but not transfer stations. He also said the county has the chance to cover what the insurance company doesn’t for medication for courthouse staff, adding that there were concerns for tax dollars covering someone’s prescription.

Marty Kleinhardt gave updates to the board on behalf of the planning commission. He said the commission could not elect officers at its meeting because there were not enough people to constitute a quorum. Don Read, chair of the planning commission, put in his resignation and the board approved appointment of Nate Shea. They are also planning repairs on Ashard Road and Brand Avenue.

Jancie LaRose, Arthur Township treasurer, updated the board that the public accuracy test date for the upcoming Aug. 4 election will be at 10 a.m. July 18.

LaRose said that while the state requires the township to get new voting machines, they might not have to until 2029 because the state can’t force the township to purchase new equipment without paying for a large portion. The township will save the money they would’ve spent on it but will budget just in case they do have to buy it.

Dick Kleinhardt, who is running for Clare County Road Commissioner, spoke during public comments at the end of the meeting. He said that people are tearing up dirt roads by driving too fast and there’s not enough care in grading them.

He also expressed concerns for the new road commission facility and said that even though they got state funding, it is still spending a lot of tax dollars. He said this is the first township he has spoken at for his run for road commissioner.

In other news, the board did talk about budgeting for the solar field litigation with DTE Energy, which is suing over local zoning rules. That lawsuit was cited as being based on Michigan's PA 233 which grants renewable energy permitting authority to the state.

Arthur Township cannot offer any public comment on that litigation. The court hearing for the case was scheduled for 1 p.m. June 17 in Clare County 55th Circuit Court.

© Clare County Cleaver