Cedarville’s downtown lights will gradually get a little dimmer, while Hessel will get a bit brighter.

During its regular meeting Thursday, October 20, Clark Township Board moved to lower wattage in streetlights on two streets comprising the Cedarville retail district. In subsequent action, trustees elected to add streetlights along Cedar and Nye roads, answering a citizen petition to brighten those sections of Hessel.

Clark Township has received complaints about the brightness of the lights in downtown Cedarville for several years since they were installed about five years ago as part of the streetscape project. The 20 lights have 150-watt bulbs and were affixed to new lamp posts installed along the north portion of Meridian Street and Hodeck Street along the waterfront.

“Many people have expressed anger with the brightness of the lights,” Supervisor Linda Hudson said before proposing Clark Township replace bulbs as they burn out, or as the budget allows.

She further explained that the lights could be toned down by installing lower wattage bulbs in the lamps, but 70-watt bulbs can only be installed by first changing the ballast in the lamps. The cost of a 70-watt replacement ballast is $32.90, and the cost of a 70-watt bulb is $10.77, she said. Clark Township already has two 70-watt bulbs and will replace one across from the Nathan and Pam Harrison residence on Meridian Street, since they requested lowered wattage there.

Mr. Harrison and Mike Autore, another resident in the area, represented residents of the neighborhood, confirming local complaints that the lights were too bright.

“The problem with the streetlights is that there is no low ambiance,” Mr. Harrison said. “When those lights were turned on, everyone down there went, wow!”

The other 70-watt bulb will be reserved for later use, or for immediate replacement if a citizen complains. If all the lightbulbs and ballasts were replaced now, it would cost the township $754 for the parts. Mrs. Hudson’s proposal, however, did not include a complete replacement.

In Hessel, residents made the opposite request, producing a petition signed by 27 residents of Nye Road, Cedar Road, and highway M-134 in Hessel. The residents sought four street lights on Cedar Street and one at the intersection of M-134 and Nye Road “to make this a safer walkway for township residents.” The current street lighting stops at the Otstot residence on Cedar Road, and residents of the neighborhood want to see brighter streets for the many people who walk the road, particularly in the summer.

“Right now, with the amount of traffic from the casino and other drivers, it’s a real hazard,” said Jim Mertaugh of Hessel, representing the petition signers.

Mrs. Hudson reported that Edison Sault Electric’s engineer Don Sawruk said he “is 80 percent sure that the poles and the lights would be installed at no charge to the township.”

Clark Township will, however, pay the additional energy cost in its monthly electric bill. If the Board finds there is an additional charge for installation, the issue will return to the Board for discussion.

Assessor To Process

220 Building Permits

“I am very happy to be here,” said Clark Township’s new assessor, Sherry Burd. Mrs. Burd was loudly applauded by the large audience at the October 20 meeting before making her first report to Clark Township. She said she has found Clark Township “a very warm community” so far. She has started looking at building permits, she said, and there are 220 permits that need to be processed. Twenty five of the new construction permits are on islands, she said, and she made her first visit to island property last month.

Recreation Site Plan Approved; Township Seeking Fill Bids

Trustees approved the latest version of the recreation plan, which was presented by the Clark Township Recreation Committee during the meeting. The new version is basically the same as one presented at a public meeting last month, though it incorporates some changes suggested by people at the meeting and Recreation Committee members. This plan focuses on keeping the recreation facilities on one side of the parking lot to reduce the need for children to cross the lot to get from the ball fields to the playground, for instance.

Two softball diamonds, a tennis court, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, a 40-foot by 60-foot covered picnic pavilion, a 40-foot by 40-foot playground area, and an 84-foot by 80-foot basketball court area for three full courts or six half-courts, a 90-foot by 200-foot covered ice rink, a restroom, and parking lot are other elements that will be built as time and resources become available. Recreation Committee Darrell Hill said softball diamonds are being built and will not conflict with Les Cheneaux Community Schools’ plan to build a hardball field at the school. Cedarville High School Principal Randy Schaedig is on the Recreation Committee, Mr. Hill said, and has been working with the committee to coordinate facilities planning.

“The people involved with this plan on getting involved with this board and future boards (to build the recreation park),” Mr. Hill said, confirming the Recreation Committee’s commitment. “No one plans on getting it done and letting it hang.”

He explained that the Committee is even planning to look at maintenance issues and costs in the future.

Clark Township Board is now advertising for bids to remove rocks and stumps, excavate the site, and place fill that reportedly was donated to Clark Township for the project. Treasurer Katie VanEenenaam-Carpenter said she was told there may also be additional gravel leftover from the Mackinac County Road Commission’s Blind Line Road project. Road workers cut and graded a steep hill at the north end of Blind Line earlier this year.

Library Seeks Grant To Relieve Energy Costs

Clark Township will be the fiscal agent for Les Cheneaux Community Library’s request for $10,000 from the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. The library is seeking assistance with its energy costs this winter. Heating costs are expected to escalate this winter, following the steep rise in gas prices. The Friends of the Library only budgeted $7,400 for propane and electric this year.

“This year, with the upcoming changes in the cost of fuel, we’re looking for help,” said Betty Lindberg, president of the Friends of the Les Cheneaux Community Library.

The library in Cedarville is privately maintained by the Friends, and receives some public money from penal fines for staffing, supplies, and materials. The Friends cannot receive the grant if it is awarded, because the Tribe only awards “two-percent” grants to local units of government. Two-percent grants include money generated by two percent of the Tribe’s gaming revenue, and is available to local units of government. Clark Township also sponsors a trails maintenance grant to the Les Cheneaux Snowmobile club.

Informational Packet Available for Residents

Wendy Wagoner of the Les Cheneaux Watershed Council has compiled packets with information for property owners, and received approval to place them at the township hall. Anyone interested in the information can have a packet free of charge. The packets contain information about installing a well or septic system, testing one’s water, how to cover an abandoned well, how to obtain low-cost trees and shrubs, and how to manage one’s property for wildlife.

“There’s really nowhere to get this information, and there are a lot of services out there that are available to residents,” Ms. Wagoner said.

She was prompted to gather information for the packets by requests from people who are interested in saving plants on their property. There are organizations that will move certain plants from excavation sites if a property owner requests the service. People who are seeking native plants and seeds will also find resources in the Chippewa/East Mackinac Conservation District, which provides information about managing land to prevent soil erosion or to create wildlife habitat.

Lot Split To Be Appealed

Clark Township Board approved a request for the Zoning Board of Appeals to hear a non-conforming lot split request in retrospect. Supervisor Hudson said an illegal split was made and a building permit issued to residents who have already ordered the building materials for their home. The land division on a land-locked parcel was made on a 40-foot wide easement. Lots that do not have road frontage must be on at least a 66-foot easement. Mrs. Hudson said the easement provides road access to four other lots in the same subdivision, so a solution must be found as soon as possible. Trustees expect the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) to set a special meeting to hear the case.

ZBA Gets Permission To Inspect Property

Trustees adopted a policy that will clearly state that property owners give the Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, and any zoning or building officials the authority to inspect property that is the subject of a hearing. Zoning Board member and Trustee Tammy Cruickshank cited some trouble inspecting properties that are not clearly marked with an address number, or ones that have “no trespassing” signs on them.

Trustees acknowledged that Planning Commissioners and Zoning Board members should be able to find the properties they are hearing cases for, and noted that property owners should expect an inspection so those hearing the case can familiarize themselves with the property or building in question.

Clark Township land use or building permit applicants will now be apprised of the township policy when they apply for a permit.

Raise Mileage Compensation Rates

Trustees unanimously raised the township’s mileage compensation rate from 35 cents per mile to 42 cents per mile for all township employees and township representatives who travel to workshops, enrichment courses, site visits, and other sanctioned travel. Clerk Cathy Nordquist recommended the increase because it would be in line with the state’s compensation rate of 42 cents.

Airport Bid Awarded to Mathews

Mathews Excavating of Hessel had the lowest of two bids to plow the Albert J. Lindberg Airport in Hessel, and trustees unanimously adopted his proposal. Mr. Mathews charges $479 each time he plows the airport, plus an additional $60 per hour to push back snowbanks and cut them down below the height of airplane wingtips. Mr. Mathews said the price was based on $3.25 per gallon gas prices, and stipulated that he will re-negotiate the price if gas prices increase. In 2004, Mr. Mathews charged $439 per plow and $50 per hour.

The other bid, from Sherlund Excavating of Cedarville, was $510 for each plow and $85 per hour to push back and cut down snowbanks.

Sewer Fund “a Conundrum,” Supervisor Says

Trustees unanimously elected to spend up to $3,000 to pay a group of professionals to meet with Clark Township’s Board, Sewer Advisory Committee, and Wastewater Treatment Supervisor Jim Landreville to straighten out the Sewer Fund. Mrs. Hudson called the fund a “conundrum,” and said she feared that Clark Township may “trespass into doing something that is not legal” if it continues to operate the Sewer Fund as it has. She said there are many revenue issues, tax collection issues, ordinance and policy problems, and “numerous inconsistencies” within the fund that have been compounded “over years and multiple administrations.” She is calling a work session to resolve the problems with the fund.

The Board wants Clark Township’s accountants and attorney at the meeting, which is why the proposed work session will cost up to $3,000. A bonding attorney will cost approximately $2,000. Township accountants Anderson Tackman charge $95 per hour. An attorney from Plunkett and Cooney will cost $175 per hour. Mrs. Hudson recommended Plunkett and Cooney because one of the attorneys, Jim Murray, has experience in sewer liabilities, serves on a municipal sewer board, and specializes in writing ordinances.

Mrs. Hudson will coordinate a date and time for the work session.