The Dorr Township Board likely will spend all of March and perhaps part of April trying to find a successor to Trustee Chandler Stanton, who resigned abruptly effective Feb. 19.
Board members Thursday night had differing takes on how to proceed and whether the person selected will have to run for the seat in the August primary or November general election. There still are two years left on Stanton’s term.
Treasurer Sheila Reitz said state laws insist that the appointment must be made within 45 days of the resignation. The 45 days after Feb. 19 would put it at April 5.
Both Trustee John Tuinstra and Clerk Debbie Sewers indicated they were sorry to see Stanton go.
“It was hard for me,” Sewers said. “I didn’t want to see him go. I think he’s done a good job.”
Tuinstra refused to accept Stanton’s resignation in a role call vote.
Stanton did not disclose in his letter to the board why he resigned. He also served on the Zoning Board of Appeals.
The board agreed to place advertisements with the Allegan County News & Gazette and Jon the township’s web site as soon as possible.
They said they would like to have the seat filled at the next board meeting Thursday, March 19.
In other business Thursday night, the Township Board:
- Approved a request from the Dorr Business Association to have the annual “Christmas in Dorr” party at the new township hall rather than outdoors because the weather can one rather sporting and unpredictable.
- Approved proposals for 2.8% pay raises. Proposed pay for the supervisor and treasurer will be hiked rom $42,612.42 to $43,081.20 annually. The clerk’s pay will be increased to $45,659.81, reflecting a few extra election duties, and the trustees’ stipends to be raised from $4,261.87 to $4,385.46 per year.
- Learned from Fire Chief Gary Fordham that the department continues to break records on the number of runs. He said the reason essentially is that firefighters now respond to medical calls.
- Was told the township has paid $191,700 for road improvements and paving on 24th Street, chipping in half the cost, sharing the bill with Salem Township.
- Was told by Mike Garland of the Parks Committee that North and South Parks west of the downtown have suffered about $1,500 in damages from vandalism. Garland also noted there are two seats on the Parks Committee up for election, along with the treasurer’s seat now held by Sheila Reitz.
- Agreed to have United Bank handle all of the township’s finances as a repository.
