Helena Township Board Meeting
February 13, 2025
8751 Helena Road, Alden, Michigan
Meeting Time: 7:00 PM
Meeting Minutes
Call to Order
Meeting called to order by Supervisor Butch Peeples at 7:00 PM.
Pledge of Allegiance
All present participated.
Roll Call
Present: Butch Peeples, Catherine Rice, Jim Schilling, Butch Bartz (via Zoom)
Absent: Tony Smedra
Conflict of Interest
No conflicts declared.
Approval of Prior Minutes
Motion by Jim Schilling, seconded by Butch Peeples, to approve January 9, 2025 minutes with corrections regarding presentation of bills and clarification that TAA—not the township—received two new ambulances. Motion carried.
Public Comment
Paul Sak identified a blight ordinance (5.01.03) related to accumulated junk in residential yards in response to a prior inquiry.
Treasurer Report
Receipts: $183,539.42
Disbursements: $34,984.26
No presentation of bills for February; no checks issued.
Approval of Treasurer’s Report
Motion by Jim Schilling, seconded by Butch Peeples. Treasurer’s report approved.
Fire Chief Report – South Torch Lake Fire & Rescue
Grant application for $10,998 was not successful; reapplication planned for June 2025.
Coordination underway with TAA to house an ambulance at the fire station for partial daily coverage.
Community dinner scheduled for February 26, 2025 from 5:00 to 6:00 PM.
Sheriff’s Report
New COA Director and HDNW Michigan Director appointed in Antrim County.
Public Safety Center planning continues; details available on the county website.
Township Ambulance Authority Report
Two new ambulances received and replacing smaller units.
New cardiac monitors delivered.
Evaluation ongoing to expand service coverage with Helena Township Fire Department.
2024 call volume across nine-township service area totaled 2,328 compared to 1,900 in 2023.
Communications
None.
Committee Reports
Discussion of Public Safety Center bond planning for potential August 2025 vote.
Zoning
January 2025 activity included five zoning reports, four field checks, and six public contacts.
Parks & Recreation
Supervisor Peeples to represent the Township Board.
Ball Park Project moving forward with $50,000 donated in January and $25,000 in February.
Discussion of ADA-accessible walkway at the Harbor.
Inventory of township amenities underway to identify repairs and replacements.
Motion approved to allow library book walk at Coy Mountain.
Planning Commission
Mike Robinson appointed as Chair; Sue Moglovkin continues as member.
Ordinance updates in progress and under attorney review.
Future outreach planned for shoreline use and short-term rental input.
Roads
No formal report; county cleared snowbanks in downtown area.
New Business
Supervisor Peeples consulting with website developers for a more user-friendly township website.
Old Business
None.
Announcements
Veterans Affairs update regarding healthcare expansion eligibility.
Discussion of having VA presence at fire department dinners.
Township cleanup day planning underway.
Suggestion to install signage directing visitors to public restrooms.
Discussion of Alden crosswalk limitations due to road width.
Future consideration of electronic speed limit signage pending state law changes.
Public Comment
Helena Township Advocacy Group (HTAG) introduced to promote transparency and collaboration.
Public expressed appreciation for township leadership.
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 8:10 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Catherine Rice & Fay M. VandenBerg
Helena Township Board Recording Secretary