Moran Twp. Approves Budget, Raises Salaries
By Paul Gingras

The Moran Township Board of Trustees approved a $296,986.54 balanced budget for the fiscal year beginning April 1, $25,556.54 higher than last year. The board also approved meeting pay increases for its trustees from $85 to $150.

The largest increase in the budget reflects a projected expenditure of $15,000 for a new heating system at the township hall, which is heated with electricity. Owing to higher price forecasts by Edison Sault Electric Company, the board plans to install a forcedair, LP gas furnace system. The furnace is expected to save on heating costs, explained Trustee Mark Spencer.

The board increased its fire department budget by $5,000, from $45,000 to $50,000, reflecting a commitment by Moran Township to pay the Hendricks Township Fire Department for service. Hendricks firefighters are closer to homes in the village of Brevort and other areas of Moran Township than the St. Ignace Fire Department. The goal is to ensure equal protection throughout the township, Mr. Spencer said.

Moran Township does not have its own fire department.

Anticipating higher fuel costs, the board increased its spring clean-up budget by $1,000, from $4,000 to $5,000. The township pays a waste hauler in Manistique to provide dumpsters and haul away trash each spring.

Township administrative expenses will be $2,656.54 higher this year, up from $39,200 to $41,856.54.

No action was taken on a suggestion by Township Supervisor Jim Durm to appropriate up to $20,000 for a driveway to access township-owned, waterfront property on US-2 next to the Paul Bunyan's Pasties building.

"I feel it is the first step in doing anything with that property," he said.

Costs would include clearing trees and reviews to assess whether endangered species or wetlands would be impacted by the driveway, he explained.

The goal is to get it open to the public, Mr. Durm told The St. Ignace News.

The Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association has shown interest in using the property. In 2000, the organization paid for an assessment of endangered species, wetlands, and buildings on the parcel. A more specific assessment will be needed for the driveway's impact, Mr. Durm said. In addition to the pasty building, the property includes structures remaining from an old fishery business.

In response to public questioning, board members noted that there have been no offers on the Brevort Village Community Center, which the township has been trying to sell since mid-summer.

The board's options are to wait until the market improves or consider lowering the $55,000 price, Mr. Durm said.

After reviewing information from the Michigan Townships Association, the board increased compensation for its two trustees, from $85 to $150 per meeting. Trustees attend one regular meeting a month, and they are paid the same rate for special meetings. The township averages two special meetings a year and trustee compensation had not been increased for more than 10 years, Mr. Durm said.

He arrived at the $150 rate by averaging rates paid by 20 townships similar in population and State Equalized Values (SEV) in Michigan. He added that half of the townships in Mackinac County pay trustees more than $150 a meeting, and half pay less.

"I think it is a fair change," said Township Treasurer Susan Dionne, noting that neighboring Brevort Township has a lower SEV and has been paying its trustees more than Moran Township.

In response to public questioning, Mr. Spencer explained that he spends less than 10 hours a month outside of meetings doing work related to his role as a trustee.

Board members noted that Mr. Spencer and trustee Lonnie Heuer serve the township in other ways. Mr. Spencer is the zoning administrator, for which he receives a separate salary.

Mr. Heuer is a member of the planning commission and the zoning board of appeals, for which he receives separate compensation.

Mr. Heuer and Mr. Spencer abstained from the vote to increase their compensation.