The Hopkins Township Board played some musical chairs Monday night to fill a vacancy.

In the wake of the resignation of Sandra Morris as treasurer, Clerk Eric Alberta filled that post and switched jobs with newcomer Stacy Timmer, now clerk.

Alberta, who has been township clerk since 2016, told board colleagues that Timmer indicated she wouldn’t be comfortable with the treasurer’s position, but the had no problem taking the seat.

Morris has served in the past for 11 years on the Township Board. She was first elected in 2012 after a brief stint as deputy treasurer to Dawn Arndt. She also had served earlier as treasurer for Hopkins Village.

She wrote her letter of resignation that she has sold her Hopkins home and has moved to Tennessee. The Township Board’s agenda for August included her resignation, but she later denied a report by Townbroadcast that she had stepped down.

In other business at Monday night’s meeting, the board:

• Noted the Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing on a proposed solar and wind energy ordinance for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24.
• Was told by Alberta that the election Nov. 7 for Martin school bond and village tax levy rollback override will be held the new hall connecting the township hall and the library.
• Was visited by State Rep. Rachelle Smit, who characterized bills now being taken up in Lansing, “This is crazy stuff we’re dealing with,” including a reproductive health act, the state taking over solar and wind regulations from local government, the state taking over regulations for sand and gravel mining, and the date of the presidential primary next winter.

COVER PHOTO: New Clerk Stacy Timmer and new Treasurer Eric Alberda.