Helena Township Board Meeting
February 12, 2026
8751 Helena Road, Alden, Michigan
Meeting Time: 7:00 PM
Meeting Agenda
- Call to Order
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Approval of Agenda
- Conflicts of Interest
- Public Comment
- Approval of Minutes
- Treasurer’s Report
- Presentation of Bills
- Fire Chief / Sheriff / County Commissioner / TAA Reports
Speaker: Emma – Grass River Update
Communications: Yearly Junk Pickup – Saturday, June 20
Committee Reports:
- Zoning – Report
- Board of Review (starting in March)
- Parks and Recreation – Report
- Pamphlet distribution
- Pickleball policy (PB Committee)
- Tennis Park proposal
- Planning – Report
- Member resigned, new member appointed
- Roads – Report
- ACRC yearly township road repair funding
Old Business:
- Waiting on interior painting schedule
- EPS finishing installation of LPR cameras (MI PAR Plan Risk Reduction Grant)
- Loeb and Miller vs Helena Township (attorneys)
- Cemetery project in survey stage
New Business:
- Scheduling bathroom remodel – update equipment
- FOIA policy
- Renewal of contract (Preferred Maintenance)
- Request for maintaining Green / Crystal Springs access for fishing
- MTA Helena Township Principles of Governance
- Deputy Clerk Bruns – ASB check signer authorization
- .gov approval – emails changing soon
- BS&A public parcel search application
- Cyber security awareness
Announcements
- Septic Tank Replacement Loan Program
- Antrim County committee service opportunity
Public Comment
Motion to Pay Bills
Adjournment
Meeting Synopsis
The Helena Township Board met on February 12, 2026, at 7:00 PM with B. Peeples, O. Leffew, C. Rice, and J. Schilling present. B. Bartz was absent.
The Board discussed updates to Pickleball rules, a presentation on the Grass River Adaptive Management Plan, and a resolution supporting application for a risk reduction grant. The Board also reviewed a proposal for a multi-court recreation project including basketball, tennis, and pickleball courts.
New business included scheduling the Township bathroom remodel, assigning a FOIA Coordinator, cyber security awareness, and implementing a public property records search tool on the Township website.
The meeting adjourned at 9:06 PM.
Meeting Minutes
Call to Order
Chair B. Peeples called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM.
Pledge of Allegiance
All present participated.
Roll Call
Present: B. Peeples, O. Leffew, C. Rice, J. Schilling
Absent: B. Bartz
Approval of Agenda
Motion by J. Schilling, seconded by C. Rice. Motion carried.
Conflict of Interest
None declared.
Approval of Prior Minutes
Motion to approve January 8, 2026 meeting minutes carried.
Treasurer Report
Beginning Balance: $907,606.76
Receipts: $230,655.15
Disbursements: $40,687.29
Ending Balance: $1,097,574.62
Presentation of Bills
No bills presented.
Antrim County Sheriff’s Report
47 events reported in January. Highest category was medical calls at 17.
Township Ambulance Authority Report
Ambulance tires replaced.
Guest Speaker – Grass River
Presentation on Adaptive Management Plan. Materials to be provided for Township use.
Communications
Yearly junk pickup scheduled for June 20. Restrictions on materials were discussed.
Committee Reports – Zoning
1 land use permit issued, 6 public contacts, 1 violation resolved.
Committee Reports – Parks and Recreation
Torch Conservation Center educational outreach approved. Updated pickleball rules effective March 1, 2026.
Tennis Park Proposal
Proposal presented for multi-use recreation park including basketball, tennis, and pickleball courts. Board agreed to continue exploring funding and gather public input.
Planning Commission Report
Member resignations and leadership changes noted. Ongoing zoning updates and ordinance discussions.
Roads Report
Helena Township to receive $14,000 for road repairs in 2026.
Old Business
Painting schedule pending. LPR camera installation nearing completion with grant support. Legal matters ongoing. Cemetery survey in progress.
New Business
Bathroom remodel scheduling underway. FOIA policy to be revisited. Fishing access request denied. Governance pledge signed. Deputy Clerk added as authorized check signer. .gov transition upcoming. Parcel search tool approved. Cybersecurity concerns discussed.
Announcements
Septic replacement loan program available. County volunteer opportunities announced.
Public Comment
Public comments were offered.
Motion to Pay Bills
Motion carried.
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 9:06 PM.
Submitted by Oryana Leffew
Helena Township Clerk