Newton Township is looking to lease Scots Point Park from the state to help maintain and improve the area. The township already has added six new picnic tables to the park and has hired someone to clean the area at least once a week, but township administrators would like to "take more of an initiative" to clean it up and improve it, said Township Supervisor Bob Brotherton. The township board discussed the issue briefly at its regular meeting Wednesday, July 12.

The lease idea has been "kicked around back and forth for several years," said Pat Hallfrisch, Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) unit manager for all of Mackinac County and most of Chippewa County, but the next step in leasing the park is simple.

"I just need a formal request, like a resolution, from the township, and I can begin putting it through the process," said Mr. Hallfrisch.

Some other improvements township officials are considering, Mr. Brotherton said, are upgrading the portable toilets and installing a fence near the entrance to replace boulders, which deter all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) from riding on the beachfront.

Mr. Hallfrisch said a lease agreement for Scots Point Park would be a good idea because it allows the DNR to accept help from other entities to care for state park land.

"It's not a recognized campground, but it's a very popular spot for locals," said Mr. Hallfrisch.

Also at the township meeting, the board said it will ask the Mackinac County Road Commission to apply brine on roads for the second and last time this summer. The roads are scheduled to be sprayed Tuesday, August 2, and will cost the township $1,200 for 6,300 gallons of brine, or about 19.5-cents per gallon.

Mr. Brotherton said the road commission will spray "shots" of brine in front of houses, but will not spray entire roads, which would be too expensive.

Aone-mill road funding proposal in next week's primary election would generate $32,000 over four years, which isn't much, he told residents, when compared with the $400,000 estimate to repave roads like the Pike lake grade.

"The $32,000 is not going to go that far, but it will allow us to put money toward maintenance of roads and, hopefully, give us a chance to set up an accumulative fund," he said.

One township resident complained about ATVs going too fast down Simmons Woods Road, kicking up dust in front of his home and ruining the gravel edges of the road. Mr. Brotherton said he will contact both the Mackinac County Sheriff's Department and the DNR conservation office.

Township Clerk Alice Zdebski will contact the township's insurance company to see if volunteer firefighters are required to take a physical examination before operating any emergency response vehicles or equipment. The question was raised by one local resident, who was concerned that older volunteer firefighters could be a liability if they are not in good health.

Mr. Brotherton said he believes that enforcing such a policy on a volunteer staff would deter interest in volunteering.

"We're struggling to staff a department as it is," he said. "As long as they continue to be properly certified, I don't see a problem with it or a need to go that far."

The board agreed to place a historical plaque at the township park near the road, where it will be more visible to visitors. The plaque is finished and will be installed at the park in August.