2018 Whitefish Township Board Annual Meeting

6/29/2018            Paradise, Michigan…

The Whitefish Township Board held their annual meeting of the citizens, 9 A.M., Friday, June 29.  In accordance to the notice posted around the community, the purpose of this meeting is letting the township’s elected officials know what the constituents would like to see happening in the township.  The meeting also offered an opportunity for citizens to set the salary for each elected position.  Whitefish Township residents were encouraged by the board to attend.   

Board members present were Darryl Ertel, Jr., Supervisor; Wanda Knox, Clerk; Frank Lada, Treasurer; and Edson Forrester, Trustee.  Dick Gratopp, Trustee, was absent.  There were some 15 public members present, give or take two or three.  Immediately following the annual meeting, the board conducted a special meeting that included a public hearing for next year’s budget.  Some items for the budget were discussed in the annual meeting and some clarified further in the public hearing.

Several citizens expressed concerns about the speed in which people are traveling through Whitefish Township.  Joanne Selbee requested a speed sign to be posted on Whitefish Point Road as traffic has really increased there.  Jody Halsey requested that the speed limit of 35 be moved south of town in the vicinity of the community center expressing concerns about the safety of families involved in community events moving about on M-123.  Trustee Forrester explained to the benefit of the audience that the township board has authority in regulating speed on the state highways.  MDOT determines speed limits and where signs are placed.  Joanne Cook, Paradise Area Chamber of Commerce President reported that while the chamber looked into this matter in the past, an MDOT survey could yield an increase  in zones, where the average speed is higher than posted, and cautioned the members about pursuing another MDOT speed survey.  Forrester suggested that a radar device that would display the speed limit and then the speed at which a motorist is traveling may work to increase awareness of speed traveled in the community.  He suggested that this could be a means by which the board could assist in the increased speed motorists seem to traveling in town.

Both Joanne Selbee and Scott Erickson requested that township parks be open, even in the winter time. 

Bridget Nordurft questioned the board’s investment strategies as their prior year’s income from investments was exceptionally low.  Treasurer, Lada stated that he was aware of this problem and was looking into the matter to safely invest the township’s funds.  Both Bridget and Scott inquired as to the public report of the budget provided to the citizens.  Supervisor Ertel, stated this year the board would be passing a department budget amount as opposed to line items, allowing department chair people some latitude to stay within their budget yet avoiding the need to have the board micro-manage line-item adjustments within a department.   The board agreed to provide more information for the public to review in a budget, as they have done in the past, by revealing the amount budgeted the previous year, the actual amount spent, and the proposed new budget.

Bridget explored the possibility that the next millage request on behalf of the Whitefish Township Fire Department (1 mil) and the Whitefish Township Emergency Services (1.5) may be rejected. Forrester explained that the millage requested for emergency services was based on a six year projection of those department needs including updating and maintaining buildings and equipment. What would happen in Whitefish Township if the millage is rejected by the citizens?  Trustee Forrester explained that the board would have to meet and re-evaluate what would be best for the township.  The state mandates the township provide Fire Protection.  Several possibilities were discussed, such as subcontracting from Luce County for EMS services.  The township would still be billed for this service, monthly.  $80,000 per year was an estimate relayed.   The contracted service may take longer for the ambulance to arrive on a call.  Clerk Knox explained that the township board has the option to just increase the tax base.  She further explained that it would be much better for the citizens to pass this special millage, which limits those funds to just emergency services. Joanne Cook, clarified that it would be better for the citizens to pass a millage request than to have the board increase their taxes.

Tim Biehl addressed the board expressing concerns about the state taking over more and more private property, reducing income to the township.  He recommended that the board members consider requesting a trade.  If the state wishes these 50 acres, then perhaps they would be willing to give up 50 acres in another area of the township back to private ownership.  Mr. Biehl encouraged the board to consider getting 100 acres for those 50 acres as is done in a number of other townships; a 2:1 ratio.  Tim also pointed out that the chlorine treatment on the county roads is insufficient.  The residents are grateful that the treatment is completed, but given the dryness of the season and the fine grade sand, the current chlorine mixture seems to dissipate even before the applicator truck finishes the road.

Joanne Selbee requested that the board establish more communication with citizens. i.e. a newsletter twice a year.  Minutes of the meeting are posted online, but Joanne was concerned about those residents that do not use computers.  Knox reminded Joanne that over the last year or two the tax bill did include a newsletter.  Minutes of meetings are also available for public review at the township office.

During the public hearing, Joanne Cook asked the board if they had budgeted for Fireworks in 2019.  Knox stated that the board had budgeted fireworks for 2018 as well.  (The budgeted amount is $5,500 in the Community Promotions line items of the Township Operations expenses.)  Trustee Edson Forrester at this point made a public statement regarding Fireworks next week.    Edson reported that he has had about 10 people come forward to assist with fireworks. Four have committed to follow through with training and earning their operator’s license (a three year commitment).  Thanks to Josh Winkler, owner of the Inn, Edson was able to line up a licensed operator for 2019.  This operator has an electronic display process that is MUCH safer.  A platform needs to be built in the water and a number of volunteers to move supplies out to the platform.  The site at Whitefish Township for public displays of fireworks has its issues.  In his efforts to work with Wolverine, Forrester tried to get them to work with licensing already in place, but that did not work out.  Edson has committed to support these young people in getting their training complete setting up the township for firework displays in the long term.

It was at this point that I had to leave the meeting.   The board did not receive a cost of living adjustment and their wages remain the same as the past year.