Brevort Township Eyes Savings on Fireworks

The Brevort Township board wrestled Tuesday, December 2, with how to save $400 on fireworks for February's Ice Jamboree on Brevort Lake and Fourth of July fireworks display, but ultimately left the matter to a business group.

The board did weigh shifting the cost to next year's budget, which starts April 1, with a good possibility that the savings could be realized.

Jimmie Miller of the Brevort Township Community Foundation, a private organization of business people that coordinates the fireworks and the jamboree, said Freedom Fireworks of Mount Pleasant will charge $3,650 in 2009, the same as this year, but on the condition that the fireworks be bought by December 15 before a fireworks price increase becomes effective. Otherwise, the cost for both events would be $4,050.

"I'm coming to the board to see how you can help us on this," Mr. Miller said. "If we can get some help, it certainly would be appreciated."

"How many dollars you looking for?" Supervisor Edward Serwach asked.

"Whatever we can get," replied Mr. Miller.

"What did we give last year?" asked Mr. Serwach.

"$1,000," said Mr. Miller.

There is no money in the recreation fund to give to the events, Mr. Serwach said, and "we can't commit because we don't know what money we'll be receiving from the state until February."

Mr. Miller said he was reasonably certain that the suppliers of the fireworks would accept payment after December 15, just so long as they had a commitment from the township by that date.

In other matters, the board agreed to advertise for candidates to serve on the township's three-member board of review, which is now down two members. The board reviews the township tax roll and hears appeals about property tax assessments.

David Craig, a newly elected member of the board, objected to the way Susan Stelzer, the town clerk, paid bills without formal board approval.

"I want to see a listing of the bills and when they're paid," he said.

Mrs. Stelzer said she had long followed the procedure of her predecessor, which was to pay routine bills on the first of the month when they are due to avoid late fees, but to request board approval for unusual expenses.

Treasurer Dan Litzner said he would provide Mr. Craig with a spreadsheet listing all bills.

Mr. Litzner also announced that the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians has donated $10,000 to the township's new fire hall, the plans for which now are in Lansing awaiting routine approval and issuance of a building permit by the Bureau of Construction Codes and Enforcement, a part of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth.

Mr. Litzner also said he would look into transferring at least some of the township's $261,000 fire savings fund and $213,000 road fund into the Straits Area Credit Union, which pays 3.02% interest. That, he said, is more than what the township is receiving from First National Bank of St. Ignace.

Members of the Brevort Township Board of Trustees are Supervisor Edward Serwach, Clerk Susan Stelzer, Treasurer Daniel Litzner, and trustees David Craig and Vern Erskine.