Hamilton Sets Park Opening for June 6

By DIANNE ALWARD-BIERY

Cleaver Senior Staff Writer

HARRISON – The March 4 Hamilton Township Board meeting agenda hosted a multitude of topics. After approval of that agenda and the Board’s February meeting minutes, it was time to hear from guest speakers.

First to speak was Bill Faber, county drain commissioner, who informed about the work to be done on the Dodge Lake Complex which would include changing a tube running from Haven Lake to Dodge Lake. He explained that the tube [on the corner of Courtney and Circle Drive] had failed and the road was collapsing, adding that the Clare County Road Commission had come and repaired it with a temporary patch. Faber said it is hoped the project would be started by the first of April. He also noted there would be a Special Assessment Hearing for the Dodge Lake Complex people March 31 in the Clare County Building.

“You can come and discuss, or if you have any problems with the assessment, that’s the time to do it,” he said. “The road commission will be doing the work that’s on the drain and replacing the valve.”

David Hoefling, county commissioner representing Hamilton Township, followed with an overview of what the Clare County Board of Commissioners had acted on at its Feb. 18 meeting [all of which were included in the Cleaver’s previous coverage of that meeting]. That update did not stand alone; it was in company with Hoefling’s traditional offering of a bit of humor. This month’s quip was: “Why is it bad to iron a four-leaf clover? You should never press your luck.”

Next was Clare County Road Commissioner Bill Simpson, who informed that the road commission might still see gas tax money this month, adding that in the meantime the road commission is working with a $200,000/month deficit, and that it will take a long time to make that up.

 Simpson said he had attended a road commissioner training and learned there are lots of proposals. He also thanked those who attended the CCRC Roads Information session at the CTE facility. Simpson acknowledged comments regarding the challenges to grading Hamilton’s muddy gravel roads that sit on the still-solid frozen substrate, and closed saying, “It’s spring in Michigan.”

Treasurer Denise Goodenow offered her report, which was approved. That was followed by Clerk Andrea Wallace noting bills to be paid included a change in Charter billing, which the Board approved. She also informed that the fire department had been to Hamilton four times in February, and that there would be no May election. Wallace said she had removed names from the Permanent Absent Voter list, but learned that was done in error and that she would be sending 166 letters to those removed. Also noted was Michigan’s new contest for “I Voted” stickers; those submissions are due by 5 p.m. Friday, May 1. [These original artwork submissions – not AI, not containing copyrighted or trademarked designs – must be completely non-partisan, include the words “I Voted” and be completed on the official entry form available at Michigan.gov/IVotedSticker.]

Under Assessor’s Report, Supervisor Gerald Tom Vaughn noted the upcoming second and third Board of Review dates as 3-9 p.m. March 11 and March 13.

Hamilton Planning Commissioner Kelly Bennett said the noise ordinance revision relating to the new amphitheater would be reviewed at the 6:30 p.m. April 1 Planning Commission meeting.

Zoning Administrator Melissa Townsend reported issuing one pole barn permit and a house addition. She also said a scrap tire application had been submitted, adding that the Board might want to consider the idea of a permanent trailer for tire collection. Townsend suggested adjusted fees for zoning permits, which was followed by discussion including comparisons to other townships, and the decision to table the resolution enacting those fees so Board members could mull it over for a month.

As regards blight, Vaughn said he had six complaints on his desk, but had been awaiting snowmelt in order to follow up.

Amy Wright, CMF/DNR Spark Grant project coordinator, said she had been working on a T-Mobile grant, with notification possibly by May 1. She then spoke of the additional $48,000 CMF grant funding, which is intended to cover items which were cut from the original project – including benches. As all six available benches had been spoken for, a motion was approved to open donations for maintenance. Discussion ranged from purchase of picnic tables which are handicap-accessible, what fees are appropriate for pavilion and amphitheater rentals, to …yeah…port-a-johns.

A park grand opening from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 6 will be preceded by an 11:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting. The event will include a food truck, onsite radio coverage/music, and Touch a Truck including fire department road commission, sheriff’s department and others.

Preceding the regular meeting, there had been a Community Engagement gathering, where people could fill out a form listing their priorities for implementing various elements of the swiftly developing Hamilton Park Project. Those will be used to prioritize next steps.

Other business included approving a motion to transfer five plots in the old section of the Hamilton Township Cemetery that were purchased in 1938, as well as a motion to approve the affidavit. [It was noted this was not a precedent-setting action.]

The park project has some serious acreage, and a zero-turn lawn mower purchase/use was discussed, and it was noted that if a township employee does the mowing, that changes the workers comp cost. The mower purchase was tabled so the Board can look into the workers compensation rate variable.

Other New Business items included tabling of the CMF contract; gravel upgrades to E. Townline Lake Road; approval of the 2026-2027 Early Voting Contract between the county and township; and approval to look into Noise Ordinance Revision.

During the second Public Comment, Tom Pirnstill informed of three items. The first was the Paula Pirnstill Memorial Health and Wellness Fair slated for April 18 at Farwell High School. The second was the upcoming Spring Fling April 25 at the Harrison Moose Lodge that will benefit the Big R and Smokin’ Joe’s Comfort Care House, which is a renovation of a former church on E. Cranberry Lake Road and will become the first dedicated hospice care facility in Clare County. The third thing noted was the free clothes closet offered from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays at Living Hope Lutheran Church in Farwell.

The Hamilton Township Board meets at 6:30 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at Hamilton Township Hall, 3042 N. Rodgers Road.