Garfield Township residents may soon have access to broadband Internet service if Steve Mason of Lighthouse.Net in Sault Ste. Marie is successful in securing a community grant from Rural Utilities Services. The money would fund the purchase of a mobile classroom, 10 computers, an Internet tower, and free Internet service for two years, at which time the township would own the equipment and pay a monthly fee to Lighthouse.Net for Internet service.

Mr. Mason, general manager for Lighthouse.Net in Sault Ste. Marie, gained support from the Garfield Township board at its regular meeting May 16.

It has not yet been determined where the tower or the mobile building will be installed.

The board held a special meeting Monday, June 6, to discuss legal issues involving the sidewalk in front of the post office building, owned by Ann Salsider. Ms. Salsider has asked the board to help pay for repairs to the sidewalk, but township trustees feel that is the responsibility of the owner. The board has asked for an opinion from its attorney, but has not heard back, said Township Supervisor Cleo Smith.

The board approved purchase of a fountain, light, and aeration set for $2,849.94, which will be funded through the Herb Smith Memorial Fund. The fountain will be placed in the Engadine Pavilion mill pond as a memorial for the late Herb Smith, who helped establish and install the mill pond for the community. He passed away four years ago. Most of his family now resides downstate. The fountain may be installed in time to be dedicated during Engadine’s Heritage Days in mid-July.

The board raised its cremation fees for the township’s cemetery from $75 to $100. Regular burial fees were also raised from $250 to $300.

Larry Wyse has accepted the position as Garfield Township harbormaster again. He will receive $1,600 per season and will have a boat slip reserved for him at the harbor. He has held the position for at least the last 10 years, said Ms. Smith.

The harbor was closed last summer for dredging and maintenance.

The board turned down an offer from Mackinac County to repair 1.22 miles of Krause Road for $97,350, saying the project is too expensive. The county is repairing other roads in the area, said Ms. Smith, and the board had inquired if the county could include Krause Road.

The Engadine Pavilion will again be the site for Engadine farmers’ market, from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays from July to September. Greg Krause had made the request.