Clark Twp. Hires Assessor, Turns Down Planning Commission Nomination
By Paul Gingras

Polly Cairns, owner and operator of Watson Assessing Services LLC, will take over as Clark Township assessor Monday, July 28, three days after the current assessor, Sherry Burd, completes her service. Mrs. Burd will complete the Tuesday, July 22, Board of Review before she moves to the Plainwell area, near where her husband works.

The Clark Township Board of Trustees unanimously approved an updated assessor's contract and selected Mrs. Cairns at its Thursday, July 17 meeting. The contract is for $58,000 for 2008, $59,000 for 2009, and $60,000 for 2010 and includes almost all assessing-related expenses.

Not included in the contract are fuel expenses, which will be paid by the township when Mrs. Cairns represents Clark Township at the Mackinac County seat in St. Ignace and before the Michigan Tax Tribunal.

She is a level-three assessor and is earning level-four status. Mrs. Cairns works for the Grand Traverse County Equalization Department, a position she will vacate before taking over as Clark Township assessor. She also serves as assessor for Glen Arbor Township, Mrs. Hudson said.

Mrs. Cairns was chosen from a pool of six potential assessors, which was narrowed to four qualified applicants. Her experience, ability to work with people, and workload were deciding factors, Mrs. Hudson said.

Mrs. Cairns and her husband, Tim, will be moving to the area soon, Mrs. Hudson added.

At its Thursday, August 21, meeting, the board will hire an employee to clean township facilities. Carolyn Hamel has been performing the duties since an employee resignation in May. Township Clerk Cathy Nordquist will make recommendations for a replacement from applications received.

A vacancy remains on the township planning commission, owing to the board's 2-3 vote not to approve Mrs. Hudson's nomination of Amy Polk of Cedarville. Mrs. Nordquist and Mrs. Hudson voted to add her to the commission, while treasurer Katie Carpenter, trustee Dana Leach, and trustee Mike Lofdahl voted against.

"My no vote had nothing to do with Amy Polk or the other two candidates," Ms. Carpenter later told The St. Ignace News. "I cast this vote solely because of procedural questions and timing of the letters of interest and timing of the appointment."

Two other residents had expressed interest in the appointment.

The board approved removing a large, healthy cedar tree at Cedar Cemetery because it is on a family plot that will be used. The board is examining how other municipalities plan cemetery landscaping in hopes of avoiding such situations in future.

The township chose to pay off a three-year lease on a large tractor lawnmower for more than $2,000, saving the municipality $260. The township's budget cycle began July 1, so the expenditure is easier to make now, Mrs. Hudson said.

The board also voted to purchase a new push mower for $180 and a heavy-duty trimmer for township grounds.

Trustees also voted to pay $11,756 for the printing of the township's 2009 calendars with photographs of the Les Cheneaux Islands area.

The calendar is sponsored by the Clark Township Recreation Committee and is being sold for $12 to help fund the Snows Heritage Park behind Clark Township Hall.

All irrigation lines for the park have been laid out, a well is complete, and the township is installing ponds. These projects have been paid for, in part, with $22,000 from the Les Cheneaux Lions Club and $10,000 from Mackinac County, said Township Supervisor Linda Hudson.

Two ball fields will be completed this summer, and now that the plumbing is ready, work will progress on the turf, bleachers, and fencing. The township also plans to add a picnic pavilion.