Hayes Working Toward August Park Dedication

By DIANNE ALWARD-BIERY

Cleaver Senior Staff Writer

HARRISON – The June 23 Hayes Township General Board meeting began with approval of the agenda, followed by Community Reports. Clare County Commissioner Gabe Ambrozaitis spoke first, providing an overview of the actions taken at the previous week’s County Board meeting, noting in particular the county budget was currently 29% expended, when usually at this time it’s 37% expended. He also noted several grants received by the county as well as informing of the fly-in cancellation and the reasons for it. His last item was the resignation of Clare County Commissioner Dale Majewski, and the BOC’s seeking of applicants for that position which serves Lincoln, Greenwood and a portion of Surrey townships.

Clare County Road Commissioner Bill Simpson informed of the rapid progress on the new CCRC building, as well as Lansing still arguing about the state budget. He also pointed out the new double yellow lines on Townline Lake Road by the Hayes Municipal Complex, defining a turn lane aimed at creating a safer situation at the intersection and the entrance to Hayes. Simpson added that the tentative paving date for Temple Drive is July 7, and that AMZ spray patching on Townline was continuing.

The Board then approved the June 9 workshop meeting minutes and the June 9 General Board meeting minutes, as well as the Consent Agenda which included bills to be paid, bills paid prior and the treasurer’s report.

Supervisor Brendan Powell reported scheduling preventative maintenance for the township sign and the geothermal unit, as well as working on a quote for parking lot resealed and painted. She also noted the gym membership information regarding access during regular and extended hours had been posted, and that flyers were available as well.

Treasurer Savannah Cavanaugh noted she would be going away after the July 14 meeting and return July 23. During that time the deputy treasurer will be available to help with memberships, taxes – although the Treasurer’s Office will be closing at noon both July 20 and 21 due to a family obligation.

Cavanaugh also reported ordering six new basketballs, a basketball/equipment holder, and an 11-piece non-slip stepping stone activity for kids. She said the digital recreation survey is active, with digital codes available, and that she also would provide a paper copy for those who request one. She also noted the tax bills should be arriving around July 1 and are due by Sept. 14 to avoid interest.

A “final” walkthrough of the park with contractors and engineers had been done that day, and all went well, although there is still a wait for some equipment. She also itemized the progress of the project’s components. All things considered, Cavanaugh said she is aiming for a grand opening in mid-August, the weekend before Harrison Street Fair.

Of note was some needed repair of pickleball court cracks and wear-through areas.

The last item on Cavanaugh’s list of topics was a copy of “Township Focus,” a Michigan Townships Association publication which featured Hayes Township and referenced the Township Governance Academy. She read aloud: “Congrats to our 2026 grads. Two officials from Hayes Township, Clare County were honored this April at MTA’s Conference and Expo as the TGA Graduating Class of 2026.” [Cavanaugh explained that those two people were Deb Hoyt, treasurer, and Erin Cottrell, deputy treasurer.] “They join Treasurer Savannah Cavanaugh, who completed the program in 2024, and former Treasurer Maye Rood, who also graduated from the Academy – Making Hayes Township the township with the highest number of Academy graduates of any Michigan township according to MTA records.”

“We should be incredibly proud of our staff and ourselves,” Cavanaugh said. “It’s a great program, so I do encourage any of those who want to take it or the Red Book Ready, it’s a great refresher.”

The Clerk Report began with the library’s July newsletter that cites the many activities there for kids and adults. Hoyt also spoke of elections as being challenging, and that MTA was tracking nine House and nine Senate bills dealing with elections: adding that the Senate had approved the State Voting Rights Act package, and the House approved a 22-month retention of electronic poll book flash drives. After describing a modification to the automatic voter registration at Secretary of State offices, and the potential additional paperwork generated by a new opt-out mailing, Hoyt added: “As I always say, I don’t make the laws but we do follow them.”

Hoyt then informed that challenges have been received to election inspector appointments, and that the preliminary election equipment testing the previous day had gone well. She also noted that mailing of absentee ballots had begun.

“We’ve had three FOIA requests in the last three weeks,” Hoyt said. “And I want to thank Andrew, Brendan and Savannah for their cooperation in providing me with the information to fulfill those requests.”

She finished by saying the past three weeks had been challenging for the clerk’s office due to the passing of Deputy Clerk Pam Voelker’s husband, and that she was in everyone’s thoughts.

Trustee Bob Buckley reported that PLM had done part of Cranberry Lake and treated a couple other lakes, the report on which was not yet received. He urged that people appreciate what that organization does.

Trustee Rob McKay simply thanked Cavanaugh for seeking out information on repairing the court after he had been “cornered by the pickleballers,” whom he also described as “really nice people.”

Zoning and Code Enforcement Officer Andrew Goodman urged the public to be patient, that there are a lot of violations and notices going out. He specifically spoke of “horrible enforcements, such as a lot of campers dumping fluids all over in multiples of neighborhoods at this point. I don’t know what’s happened in the last month, but everything’s just gone crazy.” He added that he is waiting for people to respond.

“They need to get ahold of me,” he said. “I work well with people, but when they ignore me, it’s going to end really bad for them. A lot of money’s going to be involved: fines and so on.”

Under New Business, the Social Media Policy was tabled, as attorney review of changes/additions had not been completed. Also tabled was the setting of rental rates. In other actions, the Board moved to:

-Approve the purchase of a check scanner for the tax account.

-Accept the donation of a treadmill from a private citizen for use in the fitness center.

-Approve credit card acknowledgement form.

-Adopt Resolution 25-16-Trustee Salary [cost of living allowance].

-Adopt Resolution 25-17-Supervisor Salary [COLA].

-Adopt Resolution 25-18-Treasurer Salary [COLA].

The next motion drew extensive discussion, as it represented a marked increase in salary sought by the clerk, beyond the cost of living. She was requesting her salary match that of the township’s treasurer and cited her experience which included 10 years as clerk, as well as the wide range of tasks she performs, including much that is beyond her statutory duty. There was Board concern the salary would set a precedent to be met with the next incoming clerk, although the it most certainly could set the incoming wage at the time a new clerk is appointed to fill out Hoyt’s term if she leaves office early, as is expected. Struggling with the decision in particular was Treasurer Cavanaugh, who took a long pause before actually casting her vote. When the vote was taken, the Board moved to adopt Resolution 25-19-Clerk Salary to reflect the standard 3.9% cost of living increase. A lone dissenting vote was cast by Hoyt.

Also approved was the soccer contract with adjustments to reflect the actual use of June 20.

Public Comment saw some remarks about salary based on experience, and pay for a new incoming officer. It was noted that salaries can be adjusted relative to a current job market.

Also addressing the Board was Thomas Johns, an appreciative Valley View property owner. He noted seeing a lot of law officers these days, and that things are changing. He wanted the township to know they should just keep trying to keep things going in the right direction.

Information also was put forth regarding proper disposal of American Flags, i.e., the ceremonial incineration done at the VFW 1075 facility, and that other groups also collect them for disposal at a later date.

The Hayes Township Board meets next at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 14 at the Hayes Municipal Complex, 2055 E. Townline Lake Road.