Boat Launch To Receive Makeover; Two Suits Purchased for Ice Rescue
Clark Township
By Amy Polk

Clark Township's boat launch in Cedarville will get a makeover this spring when the Les Cheneaux Beautification Committee moves a gazebo to the area.

At its February 21 meeting, the Clark Township board gave the Beautification Committee permission to move the wood gazebo from near the township hall to the launch area. The committee is working with McMaken Carpentry of Cedarville to move the gazebo and make any repairs to the structure at no cost to the township, said committee member Margie Denoyer.

The committee plans to landscape the area and provide shelter for boat owners. The structure may attract more visitors to linger in Cedarville's commercial village center.

Two other gazebos already get ample use from boaters using the public dock and park in Cedarville and the marina in Hessel.

The committee and township will pick a location for the gazebo in the spring. Trustees questioned whether putting the gazebo in the grass circle area west of the launch might encourage people to cross in front of motorists using the launch ramp. An alternative place would be on the lake side of the ramp.

The Beautification Committee will also move a boulder with a plaque commemorating donors. The gazebo at Clark Township Hall and the rock with its plaque were originally at a former fitness park developed by the committee in Cedarville, and fitness park donors were recognized on the plaque. The fitness park property was sold by Clark Township, and the gazebo and rock moved to Clark Township Hall, with plans to put both in the recreation area behind the hall. Since there is now a covered pavilion at the recreation park, Mrs. Denoyer said, the Beautification Committee now would like to move the gazebo and rock to another area needing enhancement.

Volunteers improving Hessel's public swimming beach also requested the township hall gazebo, and Supervisor Linda Hudson said the township should consider a covered structure there, too.

Assessor's Contract To Be Reviewed

Linda Hudson, Mike Lofdahl, and Cathy Nordquist will review the assessor's threeyear contract, which expires this year.

Sherry Burd, a Level III assessor, was hired by Clark Township three years ago as a contract employee for $60,000 a year, without benefits.

Cedarville resident Mike Miller, who was on the original assessor hiring committee, advised trustees to consider the assessing department's workload when determining the contract and salary. When Mrs. Burd was originally hired, Mr. Miller said at the meeting, "there was an extreme workload," with a number of unrecorded new construction, assessment updates, and pending disputes and tax tribunal cases.

Clark Township now assesses 3,623 real estate parcels, up from 3,276 parcels in 2006, and 150 personal property inventories.

In other business, trustees approved Clark Township Fire Department's request for two survival and ice rescue suits, not to exceed $1,250 for both. Fire Chief Chet Kasper told the board enough money was raised at a fall 2007 equipment fundraiser to cover the cost of the suits.

The suits are especially helpful in rescuing snowmobilers who break through ice on the bays.

Election worker wages were increased from $7 per hour to $10, and compensation for meals was eliminated. The elections chair will continue to get an additional $20 for working the day of an election.

Chris Pearson was re-appointed to a threeyear term on the Clark Township Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). He is the only member up for re-appointment. He joins Jim Eberts, Joe Eger, Mike Lofdahl, and Gary Wellnitz on the five-member board. Paul Smith and Tammy Cruickshank were appointed this year as ZBA alternates, and can serve in the event one or two of the regular members is unable to serve. The alternate policy was established to eliminate a fluke in the state bylaws that allows a quorum of three to deliberate on appeals, but requires a unanimous vote of the quorum to approve an appeal. One "no" out of three possible votes would render the decision a denial. Alternates allow a full-board hearing.

Clark Township will spend $10,000 on pavement preservation and $20,000 on road projects from its allowance from the Mackinac County match program. Participation in the program requires townships to spend $10,000 to receive $20,000 from Mackinac County and Mackinac County Road Commission for gravel and road improvements.

Trustees are not satisfied with the response from Mackinac County Road Commission about disputed work on Chard Road in Hessel, and continues to withhold 50% of payment due on the road project completed last fall.

According to the contract signed between Clark Township and the Road Commission, Chard would get drainage improvements, brushing, and gravel to the township line.

The township contends work stopped about 100 feet short of the line when the money ran out and it wants assurance from the commission that the work will be finished in accordance with the contract.

The Road Commission requested payment now, and Manager Karrie Abbitt promised a field review in the spring to see if there are any deficiencies in the work. Trustee Mike Lofdahl will attend the next Road Commission meeting to discuss the contract.