The Dorr Township Board Thursday night came within one vote of not renewing its membership in the Michigan Townships Association.
The board was deadlocked 3-3 on paying this year’s bill of $4,990.48 from the MTA, with Trustee John Tuinstra absent.
Supervisor Jeff Miling, who moved to drop out, noted Dorr Township already pays a little more than $5,000 a year for services of its township attorney and the MTA often suggests he call that attorney when he seeks legal advice.
Clerk Debbie Sewers noted that neighboring Leighton Township has withdrawn its MTA membership for the past two years, “and they don’t miss it.”
She added, however, that “I’m very torn… The question is, do we want to continue this? It’s a lot of money.”
Miling asserted, “I’d just as soon drop it, now renew it, just like Leighton.”
But Treasurer Jim Martin maintained, “Just because we underutilize it doesn’t mean it’s not worthwhile.”
His opinion apparently carried weight with Sewers, who eventually voted against Miling’s motion, along with Martin and Trustee Terry Rios.
Voting against renewing membership were Miling and Trustees Dan Weber and Josh Otto.
“Well, then, I’ll pay the bill (to the MTA),” said Sewers, who speculated that the question will surface again next year.
In other business at Thursday’s meeting, the board:
• Approved Sewers’ appointment of Nancy Westhouse as new deputy clerk, succeeding Sarah Geers. She said Westhouse brings 15 years of office experience to the job.
• Approved the reappointments for three-year terms on the Zoning Board of Appeals of Chairman Robert Traxler and Jim Schaendorf.
Rios asked if the positions were advertised, but Miling said it’s hard enough to get people to serve in posts like these and there isn’t really a newspaper of general circulation to use for that purpose.
• Extended for five more years the Metro Act right of way permits for AT&T, with annual revenue expected at $7,000.
• Authorized the clerk to sign the fireworks agreement for the Fourth of July with Wolverine Fireworks.
• Agreed to the Maintenance Department’s request to purchase for $10,500 a 72-inch cut mower that is purported to be able top handle 7.2 acres in an hour.
Miling said, “You can fly across these bumps. I was so impressed I bought one for my yard.”
Sewers, who cast the only dissenting vote, explained that she’s concerned about having enough storage space for the new unit, saying, “I don’t agree with purchasing something we don’t have room for.”
• Authorized the clerk to sign a 30-year renewal agreement between the township and Michigan Gas Utilities.
• Approved an amendment to the township’s agreement with the Dorr/Leighton Sewer Authority.
Martin said the amendment, “recognizes the special status of Sewer No. 5 and opposed to the other four.”
• Approved the purchase of two receipt printers and two cash drawers for around $2,000.
