Pay raises often can be controversial issues for local elected officials, and perhaps it’s particularly difficult in Dorr Township.
However, the Township Board Thursday evening managed to approve 5% cost of living allowances (COLAs) for all members of the board and they approved increases for members of the local fire department.
Clerk Debbie Sewers was awarded slightly more when her colleagues approved her request to be bumped up to $44,411, which also reflected COLA.
Meanwhile, Supervisor Jeff Miling and Treasurer Laurie Perry both won increases up to $42,612 annually.
The four township trustees each won pay increases to $4,261.87.
Trustee Chandler Stanton voted “no” on all of the requests and John Tuinstra opposed the raises for Miling and Perry.
There was no debate about pay hikes for firefighters in the township.
Miling said, “We want to make sure our firefighters are up to date on their pay. I think they were behind from before.”
Miling praised the efforts and skills provided by firefighters who are willing to leave their beds in the middle of the night to provide assistance to motorists and citizens in the middle of the night.
Most of the firefighters were bumped up from $29.43 per hour to $31. Meanwhile, Fire Chief Gary Fordham was granted an increase to $18,000 per year.
The board also granted a proposed pay hike for the township’s full-time maintenance worker to $24 per hour plus COLA. Board of Review personnel now will get $26 per hour.
In other business at Thursday’s meeting, the Township Board:
- Was told of the death of former Fire Chief Harold Schumaker, who headed the department just before Fordham and served on the department for 43years. He had been living in Florida in recent years.
- Learned from Library Director Jeffrey Babbitt that the Library Board appointed former Planning Commissioner Gordon Lifers to the last remaining open seat on the Library Board.
- Adoped a resolution to approve an ordinance amendment to pave the way for rezoning a parcel across the street from the gas station at U.S.-131 from agricultural and commercial to mixed use.
- Noted the ribbon cutting for Main Street Flooring, 1846 142nd Ave., will be Saturday morning, March 1.
- Didn’t make any decision about work on the new township hall, nut noted the project at the former Cross Winds Church is progressing.
- Was given a presentation by Linda Teeter from the Allegan County Legal Assistance Center. After she told the board the agency served 134 Dorr Town ship residents in 2024, she asked if the board would like to enter into a contract for a free service that helps citizens navigate the local court system for divorce, custody and other kinds of civil cases.
- Learned from Miling that he has had two meetings with representatives from Microsoft to talk about plans for a data center at 14th Street and 144th Avenue.
