Goodland Twp. to select new supervisor

Special meeting called for Aug. 27

GOODLAND TWP. — The Goodland Township supervisor position has been vacant since former Supervisor Mike Eckardt stepped away from his elected position in late July.

On Tuesday, Aug. 11, the remaining four board members approved scheduling a special meeting for 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, to make a decision on who will help oversee township activities.

Clerk Amy Nolin, who ran last week’s meeting told the board and audience, “as of right now, it looks like we have six or seven names on a list of people to speak with.” 

She went on to say: “Personally, I have not had a chance to speak with these people and I would like time to ask them questions I have.”

The rest of the board agreed to take the next two weeks to have informal discussion with those interested, prior to making a final decision. Those who have expressed interest in the supervisor position include: Dour Moors, Jeff Genter, Michelle Young, Keith Bosse, Sam Fredendall and Patrick Patterson.

Other business

• Board members approved a request from the fire department for new equipment. “We learned what we need for equipment, as a result of the big fire in July,” Fire Chief Brian Zinzer said. “It’s not equipment that was damaged in the fire. Just key things we need, like adapters, fittings, pike poles, those kinds of things.” The list totaled $6,835 which was approved by the board.
• Trustee Michael Puzzoli brought up a special land-use permit for Pallets-N-More on Shaw Road. “I have a concern with what is happening there, since the big fire,” he said. “We need to make sure we don’t allow things to escalate there to where the fire risk is high again.” Puzzoli said according to the current SLU, “it is for industrial use with inventory being stored inside. I’m sorry for their major loss in the fire, but what they are doing now is not covered by the SLU they were issued.” Twenty-seven fire departments responded to the location on Shaw Road in July to battle a massive blaze at the business. Since the fire, more pallets have been brought in and are being stored on the property. There are no buildings available on the property for proper storage, as required by the special land-use permit.
• The board later decided to seek additional bids for having asphalt repairs done to the township parking lot. It received one bid for $7,500 and intends on getting at least two more bids.
• Planning Commission Chair Todd Townley said his body had met to discuss language for an ordinance related to Data Centers. “At this time, we are not using a planner to help us with this,” Townley explained. “I want to remind the board you did approve looking into contracting with one at an earlier meeting. The commission would appreciate the board’s consideration of getting a Planner on board at the start, rather than having to bring that person up to speed.” Puzzoli said there is money in the budget to have a contract with a planner. “I think we should allow Todd to move forward with hiring the planner,” Puzzoli told board members, who all agreed. The township has not been contacted by anyone wanting data center information.