St. Ignace Twp. Ordinance Will Restrict Any New Tower Construction in Township
By Karen Gould

The St. Ignace Township board says it will establish a water tower ordinance that would restrict any new construction of a tower in the township. The decision was made during the board's Thursday, March 8, meeting in response to a plea from resident Brian Schlehuber, whose family was evacuated from its home when the water tower in the township cracked March 1 during a winter storm.

Mr. Schlehuber asked the board if there was anything it could do to support him through a township ordinance that already may be in place. He raised concerns that if the cracked tower is taken down, a new one again might be raised in a residential area.

Three days earlier, Mr. Schlehuber had attended a City Council meeting to ask the city to move the Evergreen Shores tower away from houses. The city is waiting for the results of engineering reports about the tower's stability before making a decision. The reports were initially expected this week, although the city now reports scheduling conflicts with inspectors could delay results until the end of the month.

Mr. Schlehuber also told the board he is seeking help from State Representative Gary McDowell.

The tower is owned by the city and is on city-owned land in the township.

The township board told Mr. Schlehuber it does not have a water tower ordinance and that any new regulation would not affect his current situation, although it would regulate future construction of towners.

Dale Nelson, township supervisor, said he would contact the Michigan Townships Association to see if the organization could provide the township with the regulation.

Mr. Nelson also said he would continue to attend city meetings involving the water tower.

In other business, the board agreed to give $1,000 to the North Huron Scenic Pathway project. The proposed 70 mile non-motorized trail would run through the township and is planned to link St. Ignace with DeTour.

The funds will be used for the engineering phase of the project, which is estimated to cost more than $25,000.

The board will contacttownship attorney Prentiss "Giz" Brown on the next step it should take with approximately 25 township residents who have not hooked up to the township's sewer system. The residents are in violation of a township ordinance that carries a $500 fine. The residents are paying ready-toserve sewer fees, said Mr. Nelson.

A new fee may be added to township building permits to cover the costs of additional inspector visits when a project fails an inspection, say board members, who discussed the idea during the meeting. Trustees say they are concerned that additonal unplanned inspections are putting a strain on the township's budget.

Township Building Inspector Paul Sved will be asked to attend the next township meeting to discuss the idea of a second fee, which only would apply when an additional inspection is warranted, say board members.

The township board next meets Thursday, April 12, at 6:30 p.m. at the St. Ignace Township Hall on Gorman Road.