Dorr Township Parks Board is experiencing turnover

The Dorr Township Parks Board is experiencing some turnover lately, and the Township Board Thursday night appointed one new member.

William Mallow was approved on a 6-0 vote, with Trustee Terri Rios absent, but Trustee John Tuinstra had misgivings about appointing someone he’s never heard of. He said he didn’t even see Mallow’s resume until Thursday night at the meeting.

But colleagues insisted an appointment is necessary because because Rick DeMann is moving out of the township and had to resign. Now comes news from Supervisor Jeff Miling that Vicki Fifelski, who also serves as office manager for the township, will step down from the board next month.

Treasurer Jim Martin said, “They will be in a situation where there won’t be a quorum (if an appointment isn’t approved soon). They (Parks Board members) have been searching since before November.”

It was pointed out that Mallow has been interviewed by Parks Board members and they are satisfied that he has the interest and ability.

The other three current Parks Board members are Chris Gesink, Denice Lawrence and Mark Muscarella.

Earlier in the evening, the Township Board approved the reappointments of Carolyn Sandel, Connie Holbrook and Eugene VanPutten to the Board of Review and Broan Boot and Joshua Harris as alternates. Tuinstra, who has been a proponent of term limits, questioned how long Holbrook has served.

In other business at the meeting Thursday evening, the board:

• Was told by Miling that the most recent semi-annual revenue sharing check from the Gun Lake Casino totaled $18,762, the largest six-month sum since the casino opened in 2011.

• Learned from Fire Chief Gary Fordham that the department has handled 159 incidents in 11 months this year, as compared to 157 over the same period a year ago. Fordham added that department representatives plan to go to Wisconsin next month to inspect the new fire truck and prospects are good for the vehicle to come to Dorr later in January.

• Noted the final bill for the 22nd Street project came in $20,000 higher than expected, but still it was below the original estimated cost.

• Put on hold an offer by the Allegan County Road Commission to pay half the cost of the graveling 20th Street and 144th Avenue because the total project should include work on 136th Avenue and 16th Street.

• Was told by Penny Post, Dorr’s representative on the ambulance board for Wayland Area Emergency Services, that 4,002 calls have been handled in 2018 and a budget request for next year may have to include a 5% increase in support.