Goodland approves road work

Project funds dwindling after giving ok for $90,000

 

GOODLAND TWP. — Roads were on the minds of those attending the Goodland Twp. meeting June 11— both those who had to navigate the total closure of M-53 just south of the township hall to get to the meeting, as well as those hoping to see improvements to side roads in the township that they claim are being torn up by motorists not following posted detour signs.

Despite being cautioned about a dwindling balance for road improvement projects, a handful of audience members pushed to get something going for road repairs, prior to an upcoming road millage issue in August.

A 10-person committee created a document of projects they wanted to recommend to the township board. The wish list totaled $130,000 while the actual balance in the road fund on hand, according to Treasurer Louis Parsch, was roughly $102,000, an approximate shortfall of $28,000.

A group spokesperson told the township board, “these are projects we feel need to be addressed. We can’t continue to kick the can down the road with these. We felt if people saw work being done on some of the roads, it could help us with trying to get the road millage passed in August.”

Parsch, who has served as township treasurer for 23 years, said, “We appreciate your work. But, where is the money going to come from to pay for the things on your list? You’re asking us to spend money we don’t have.”

He went on to say, “Your list comes to around $130,000. That’s $28,000 more than we have. If we approved this list, you’d bankrupt that account, we’d go broke and leave us nothing for emergencies.”

Cischke admitted, “we should have been matching what the county gives us ($30,000) and we really haven’t done that every time. I’m talking about money aside from the millage funds.”

He added, “It doesn’t take long to spend $30,000 with mowing and dust control. It costs $40,000 for four miles of gravel, at four inches deep. We take in $75,000 a year right now with the millage and if the new one passes, it will go up to $90,000.”

Further discussion was had between township board members and the audience before a compromise was reached.

Parsch made a motion to approve three projects on the committee’s list, totaling around $90,000. Included in the work is long awaited work on Lyons Road and portions of Blacks Corners. The board approved the expenditure.

“This (motion) was a compromise,” Parsch told the audience. “We better hold our breath for the next six months that nothing happens (emergency repairs). This is all we have, and I don’t like cutting it this close.”

In other board news, audience members asked the board to contact MDOT about the detour and how traffic is impacting side roads during the complete closure of the highway.

Cischke, who has spent over 50 years as a supervisor or assessor, agreed, stating, “There’s been a lot of phone calls to the township hall. I don’t know what else can be done. The detour signs are up and still, people are finding their own detours and tearing up our roads. I agree with you.”

He said he understood the Michigan State Police were going to have a more visible presence in the area and issuing tickets.

Some residents reported big trucks, including 18-wheel semis, were using Brown City Road (not part of the detour) and Bowers Rd, causing damage to both roads.

Officials pointed out the detour is supposed to take traffic to the west and signs are posted. Work on the bridge repairs is expected to last into August, depending on the weather.

At a special meeting held June 3, the board agreed to have their attorney proceed to a Circuit Court hearing regarding a property in the 3300 block of Summers Rd. The township is seeking a judgement on the property to address on-going blight and debris as well as an order for demolition of buildings that have been deemed unsafe.

Before closing the meeting, the board passed resolutions to increase board pay, after gathering information from other local municipalities. The board took the action, due to the fact that they do not hold an annual meeting where salaries are typically set.

Resolutions were passed for each board member as follows: Trustee $4,987.20 (Matt VanDyk and Robert VanDenBerg); Treasurer Louis Parsch $27,621; Clerk Mavis Roy $29,620.92; Assessor $20,664; Supervisor $12,770.04. Cischke has dual roles with the township, serving as supervisor and assessor.

Increases of $2 per hour were given to Deputy Clerk Amy Nolin and Deputy Treasurer Michelle Noble. The township’s Website Coordinator will receive $250 per month.

The board will meet Thursday, June 20 at 7 p.m. for a budget workshop.