Helena Township Board Meeting
March 12, 2026
8751 Helena Road, Alden, Michigan
Meeting Time: 7:00 PM
Meeting Agenda
Remote Participation (Zoom):
Meeting ID: 920 7839 5122
Passcode: 8751
- 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:
Paul Delange – MOU HT Historical Society + Depot Windows/Repairs
- Donations
Communications:
- Upcoming election in August
- Election inspector training and recertification dates to be held at the county
- Monday, April 6, 2026
- Friday, April 10, 2026
Committee Reports:
- Zoning – Report
- Parks and Recreation – Report
- Tennis Park proposal – Steve Dell / Elmer’s
- Community Engagement Meeting – April 22 at 7:00 PM
- Planning – Report
- Public Hearing – March 19 at 5:00 PM / Data Centers
- Roads – Report
Old Business:
- Intex painting completed – extra cost
- LPC cameras – MI Par Plan risk reduction grant submitted
- Miller vs. Helena Township update
- Cemetery project – boundary survey – $1,100 cemetery budget
- Public access surveys / alleys – research and order survey
- .gov approval – emails changing soon
- Scheduling bathroom remodel
- Retention policy applied to supply closet – books available
New Business:
- IT firm bids – cybersecurity
- Internal process reviews for audit prep and budgeting prep
- QBO COA mapping and repair – Manor Court sign approval
- Quotes for new township insurance underway / refund for pumps received
- Approve Oryana online access to Alden State Bank – vote
- GLE Co-op – vote
- “I Voted” sticker contest
Announcements
Public Comment on Above Items
Motion to Pay Bills
Adjournment
Meeting Synopsis
The Helena Township Board met on March 12, 2026, at 7:00 PM with B. Peeples, C. Rice, and J. Schilling present. O. Leffew and B. Bartz were absent.
The Board discussed the proposed Tennis Park redevelopment project and plans for a Community Engagement Meeting scheduled for April 22. The Board also reviewed the upcoming Planning Commission public hearing on data center zoning language scheduled for March 19.
Old business included updates on the Community Center painting project and cemetery boundary survey work. New business included review of cybersecurity IT firm bids and internal process reviews related to budgeting and audit preparation.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:00 PM.
Meeting Minutes
Call to Order
Chair B. Peeples called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM in the Governmental Meeting Room.
Pledge of Allegiance
All present participated.
Roll Call
Present: B. Peeples, C. Rice, J. Schilling
Absent: B. Bartz, O. Leffew
Approval of Agenda
Motion by J. Schilling, seconded by C. Rice, to approve the current agenda. All in favor. None opposed. Motion carried.
Conflict of Interest
None declared.
Approval of Prior Minutes
Motion by J. Schilling, seconded by C. Rice, to approve the February 12, 2026 Helena Township Board Regular Meeting Minutes. All in favor. None opposed. Motion carried.
Treasurer Report
Beginning Balance: $1,097,574.62
Receipts: $290,586.59
Total Disbursements: $41,981.20
Ending Bank Balance: $1,346,180.01
Presentation of Bills
Additional liabilities from March 1 through March 12 totaled $3,685.40.
South Torch Lake Fire & Rescue Report
17 EMS calls, 1 mutual aid camper fire, and 2 additional service calls. Year-to-date calls totaled 41 compared to 34 at the same time last year. Two new members joined the department. Four members completed ice rescue certification training. The next community dinner is scheduled for March 25 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.
Antrim County Sheriff’s Report
43 calls for service in February compared to 38 during the same month last year. Calls included welfare checks, fraud complaints, traffic stops, suspicious situations, accidents, and medical assists. Two deputies are attending the police academy. The department also reported recent narcotics enforcement involving fentanyl and methamphetamine seizures.
Antrim County Commissioner Report
Updates were provided on conservation district restructuring, sanitation code changes regarding failing septic systems, and public safety center planning.
Township Ambulance Authority Report
The retired ambulance rig was sold to a New Jersey department and will assist in covering two townships with approximately 2,000 calls per year.
Guest Speaker – Paddle Antrim
A report was presented on continued development of the Chain of Lakes Water Trail, which now includes more than 100 miles of paddling routes and 84 access sites. The trail has received Pure Michigan Water Trail designation. Upcoming projects include universal kayak launches, improved access sites, and accessibility improvements.
Communications
The Board discussed township communication systems and cybersecurity services, including review of IT firm proposals and internal system access needs.
Committee Reports – Zoning
Zoning Administrator Robert Logee submitted his report, including updates on permits, zoning activity, and ongoing administrative matters. Trustee Schilling raised the issue of trailer disposal, and Logee indicated he was aware.
Committee Reports – Parks and Recreation
Discussion took place regarding Elmer’s bid for the Tennis Park tennis court. Options included resurfacing the existing courts or relocating the facility as part of a broader park redesign. Board members reviewed the history of court repairs and previous grant funding through the DNR Recreation Passport program. Steve was directed to obtain an additional bid for a complete redo of the existing tennis court. The Board agreed that additional public input is needed before major decisions are made, and a Community Engagement Meeting was scheduled for April 22 at 7:00 PM.
Committee Reports – Planning Commission
Jim Gurr reported continued progress on zoning amendments addressing shoreline regulations, including boat density and anti-funneling provisions. The Board discussed scheduling a legal review with the township attorney prior to adoption. The commission also announced a public hearing regarding zoning language related to data centers.
Old Business
The Board acknowledged the overage on the Community Center painting project and discussed the reason for the increased cost. Additional updates included the LPR camera grant application, cemetery boundary survey work, public access and alley research, the upcoming .gov email domain transition, Community Center restroom remodel, archiving efforts, research into new insurance, an expected refund related to insurance coverage for wells, and an update on Miller v. Helena Township indicating the property is being sold and the fence will be moved to the proper placement.
New Business
Motion to approve Township Clerk Oryana Leffew online access to Helena Township accounts at Alden State Bank. Motion was seconded. All in favor. None opposed. Motion carried.
Announcements
Fire Department community dinner scheduled for March 25, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.
Open to the public.
Menu: chili, cornbread, salad, and beverage.
Community Engagement Meeting scheduled for April 22, 2026, at 7:00 PM.
Planning Commission Public Hearing scheduled for March 19, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
Fire Department to conduct upcoming live fire training exercises.
Public Comment
Public comments were offered.
Motion to Approve Treasurer Report and Pay Bills
Motion by J. Schilling, seconded by C. Rice. All in favor, none opposed, so carried.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM.
Submitted by Oryana Leffew
Helena Township Clerk
clerk@helenatownship.com
231-331-4643
Published on Township website: 03/21/2026
Posted on Township Bulletin Board: 03/21/2026