Char Troost is retiring from her job as Leighton Township Treasurer at the end of next month.
She made the announcement in unusual fashion near the conclusion of the Township Board meeting Thursday night, asking her colleagues if they would permit her to continue to serve on the Green Lake Sewer Authority if she retires. After being questioned about when she was stepping down she replied at the end of March.
Clerk Mary Lou Nieuwenhuis then told her no official written resignation has been received, so she was asked to submit it before the next meeting.
Troost has served as treasurer since her appointment to succeed Arlene Oetman in 2001. He salary, including a 1.9 percent increase approved Thursday evening, is $27,078, the same as that of Nieuwenhuis. Supervisor Steve Deer gets $17,211 annually and Trustees John Hooker and Brian Bonnema both earn $3,030.
“I have always loved my job and enjoyed our residents,” Troost said. “And I have enjoyed working with the people I’ve worked with over the years.”
Her request to stay on the Sewer Authority was granted.
The Township Board now must appoint her successor to fill out the remaining almost two years of her term. The appointee, in order to continue as treasurer would have to run for election in the August 2020 primary.
In other business Thursday night, the Township Board:
• Agreed to negotiate with Bob’s Disposal on new rates for recycling service for a two-year contract.
Township residents now play $36 per household for curbside recycling services per year, but that expense may have to go up soon.
“We need more money than that $36 to continue as we have,” Nieuwenhuis said. “We have to be aware that $36 will no longer pay for the service.”
• Once gain noted there will be a master plan open house at the Township Hall from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26.
Hooker, who also serves on the Planning Commission, said the master plan has not been revised in 16 years, but he doesn’t expect there will be many changes proposed.
• Scheduled a public hearing on the 2019-20 fiscal year budget for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 14.
• Agreed to have a vote next month on proposed text amendments to a solar energy ordinance.
Hooker said the Planning Commission Wednesday unanimously recommended the amendments, which regulate and restrict the size and height of solar devices o0n residential and commercial properties.
• Learned from Fire Chief Matt Weston that the department has recieved, free of charge, a brush truck that will be located at Station No. 2 on Kalamazoo Avenue.
• Discussed establishing a Facebook page as another way to communicate with local residents and post notices.
