Helena Township Board Meeting
July 9, 2026
8751 Helena Road, Alden, Michigan
Meeting Time: 7:00 PM
Meeting Minutes
Call to Order
Supervisor C. Peeples called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Roll Call
Present: C. Peeples, O. Leffew, C. Rice, B. Bartz, and J. Schilling.
Absent: None.
Approval of Agenda
Motion by J. Schilling, seconded by C. Rice, to approve the agenda as presented. All in favor. Motion carried.
Conflicts of Interest
None declared.
Public Comment
J. Houserman, Antrim County Equalization Director, addressed the Board regarding the BS&A cloud assessing and tax platform. Ms. Houserman stated that the platform remains under active development, that Township staff would benefit from additional training, and recommended that the Board consider reversing or delaying the transition. Board members noted the Township’s continued commitment to the BS&A cloud platform, ongoing coordination with BS&A on implementation, and the training and support already in place for the Township Treasurer and Township Assessor. The Board thanked Ms. Houserman for her input. No Board action was taken.
D. Dewey of Paige Road reported multiple safety and maintenance concerns at the Paige Road Torch Lake access, including loose railings and screws, splintered and missing boards, the last step into the lake having washed out again, gravel washed down from the road, and the absence of a pet-waste bag dispenser. Ms. Dewey requested repairs and a dispenser similar to those at other access points.
B. Wiedemeyer of Lakeside Drive requested Board action on short-term rental regulations for properties listed through services such as VRBO and Airbnb, citing a loss of quiet enjoyment on adjacent property. Mr. Wiedemeyer also requested information regarding documents allegedly destroyed by a prior Township official. Supervisor Peeples offered to follow up personally.
Additional public comment concerned pet waste, wayfinding at other public accesses, and community events.
Approval of Minutes
A correction was noted to Item 15.f, Library Lease Renewal, in the June 11, 2026 minutes. The library rent had been recorded with the decimal in the wrong location. The lease is not based on a per-square-foot amount; the correct monthly rent for the 2026–2027 lease year is $1,464.71.
Motion by J. Schilling, seconded by C. Rice, to approve the June 11, 2026 minutes as corrected. All in favor. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer C. Rice presented the June 2026 report:
- Beginning balance as of June 1, 2026: $1,347,203.53
- Total receipts: $32,162.39
- Total disbursements: $57,764.41
- General Fund disbursements: $45,841.41
- Cemetery Fund disbursements: $1,659.80
- Building Fund disbursements: $10,263.20
- Ending balance as of June 30, 2026: $1,321,601.51
Motion by J. Schilling, seconded by C. Rice, to accept the Treasurer’s Report. All in favor. Motion carried.
Presentation of Bills
June 2026 disbursements totaled $57,764.41.
South Torch Lake Fire & Rescue Report
New Fire Chief Jesse Lane presented the report. South Torch Lake Fire & Rescue responded to 28 calls in June, bringing the year-to-date total to 134 calls compared with 123 calls in 2025. The department completed 12 hours of training and had responded to 24 calls since July 1.
The retaining wall project was scheduled to begin the following week. The department procured an enclosed trailer to serve as a special-operations trailer for water rescue, ballistic vests, traffic control, trauma supplies, and search-and-rescue equipment. VPro deployment was scheduled for July 22. The Board welcomed Chief Lane.
Sheriff’s Office Report
Sheriff K. Hoch was not in attendance. Undersheriff Douglas presented the report. The Sheriff’s Office recorded 71 incidents in Helena Township during June, including four animal-control complaints, one breaking and entering, three cardiac incidents, five weather-related hazardous conditions, five marine stops, eight medical assists, two noise complaints, three lost or found property incidents, six traffic stops, three water rescues, and three wellness checks.
Four deputies were currently in field training. Torch Fest weekend was very busy, and the cooperation among the Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police, Department of Natural Resources, Fire, and EMS was commended.
Undersheriff Douglas reported a case involving a Muskegon-area suspect who misrepresented his age and identity online to a teenage victim. Detectives identified the vehicle within minutes using license-plate recognition cameras, and the suspect was arrested within hours.
The Board thanked the Sheriff’s Office for the additional patrol coverage at Safe Harbor during Torch Fest and the July 4 weekend, noting that the increased presence made a noticeable difference.
County Commissioner Report
County Commissioner T. VanAlstine reported that the County Public Safety Center had entered the design-development phase. Value engineering had removed unnecessary space and added data-drop capacity. The project remained within budget.
Township Ambulance Authority Report
M. Robinson reported that the Township Ambulance Authority was retaining long-term legal counsel and moving from quarterly to monthly financial reporting to the Board. Discussions were underway regarding the installation of cameras to secure drug-box storage.
Deputy Chief B. Slagle will assist the TAA Director with human resources duties. A second ambulance rig was staged in Alden during the July 4 weekend and worked well. The Board thanked TAA for the additional support.
Speaker
No speaker was scheduled.
Election Update
Clerk O. Leffew reported on the August 4, 2026 Primary Election. Ballots had been received from the County, and 317 absent voter ballots were mailed on June 6. Helena Township had 958 registered voters.
The Public Accuracy Test was scheduled for July 16, 2026 at 11:00 AM. Election Inspector training was scheduled for the same day from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Fourteen election inspectors were scheduled to cover early-voting shifts.
Early Voting
Early voting was scheduled for nine consecutive days from July 25 through August 2, 2026.
- July 25–26 and July 30–August 2: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- July 27–29: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Because early voting overlapped with Alden Days on the opening weekend, the Clerk planned to relocate voting operations to the interior back room to accommodate the Quilt Show. Signage would direct voters to the rear entrance.
Alden Days Run and Parade
J. Gurr offered the use of his farm for staging and parking for the Alden Days Run to reduce downtown congestion.
TAA Membership and Public Notice
Concern was raised that residents had not been informed about the TAA ballot language and the $75 annual membership program designed to avoid per-call charges.
The Clerk agreed to post sample ballot information on the Township website and, if possible, include a link to the TAA membership signup form. TAA representative M. Robinson agreed to bring residents’ questions back to the TAA Board.
Zoning Report
Zoning Administrator R. Logee reported that nine permits were issued in June, including one new residence, several pole buildings, and temporary signs. Mr. Logee introduced incoming Zoning Administrator J. Petersen and asked the Board to reconsider the BS&A cloud migration.
2026 Assessing Audit Results
The Township passed the 2026 State assessing audit. Some data-format items remained outstanding in relation to State reporting expectations, with support being provided by the County.
Parks & Recreation Committee
No Parks & Recreation Committee meeting was held in June because a quorum was not present. S. Dell resigned as Chair, and B. Apley also resigned. Two volunteer openings remained. Work at the Ball Park continued, and Tennis Court Park remained under review.
Planning Commission
D. Hunstad reported that the Planning Commission had returned to a monthly meeting schedule and moved its meetings to 7:00 PM to improve accessibility. The Commission currently had six members, with one open seat awaiting appointment.
Ongoing work included an update to ordinance definitions, a data-center ordinance section for which a public hearing had already been held, a complaint and concern form, and review of short-term rental and fire ordinances using a Bloomfield Township model provided by a resident. The current quiet-hours reference remained 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
Roads
B. Peeples presented the report for B. Bartz. Three tar-and-chip road projects previously scheduled with the Antrim County Road Commission remained on the ACRC list for completion during the current season. Three additional road bids reviewed in June were deferred to fiscal year 2027 planning.
Sidewalks and curbs were identified as the responsibility of abutting property owners rather than the Road Commission. Trees along the Alden Days Run route would be trimmed for runner safety.
Municipal Civil Infractions Ordinance
The ordinance draft had been distributed by the Township Clerk and approved by C. Bzdok two months earlier. Comments from J. Petersen identified a required amendment on page 5 assigning supervision of the Bureau of Municipal Civil Infractions to the Zoning Administrator and Supervisor.
Motion by J. Schilling, seconded by C. Rice, to table the Municipal Civil Infractions Ordinance for amendment and post the working draft on the Township website for public comment before the August 13, 2026 meeting. All in favor. Motion carried.
Speed Signage Programming Update
J. Schilling reported that programmable message icons had been reviewed and a “thumbs up” icon was selected for standard operation. Traffic-count and speed data would be posted on the Township website after enough data had been collected.
Traffic Logix, the software-as-a-service subscription vendor, proposed a multi-year renewal. The current sign renewal date was November 1, 2026, with a three-month extension available through February 1, 2027. The item was carried forward for a future decision.
Ball Park Update
Final fencing work along the north property line and south side was underway. Erosion control and boulder placement were pending delivery of the large stone. Recent rain would require additional dirt work before placement.
Ball Park project invoices were received in the Clerk’s office on July 9, 2026. Payment to those vendors would be late because of a break in the payment process that was being addressed. Supervisor Peeples offered to contact the vendors directly regarding the delay.
Historical Society Memorandum of Understanding
The Historical Society proposed additional changes to the draft memorandum of understanding. The Clerk redistributed the revised draft for Board review. The item was carried forward.
Wage Resolutions
Separate resolutions were presented for each elected and appointed position for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2027. The resolutions were based on the budget adopted at the June 25, 2026 Special Budget Hearing.
Motion by J. Schilling, seconded by C. Rice, to adopt resolutions granting a 3% wage increase for the Township Clerk, Township Treasurer, Township Supervisor, Township Sexton, Township Trustees, Zoning Administrator, and Township Assessor for fiscal year 2026–2027. All in favor. Motion carried.
Motion by C. Rice, seconded by J. Schilling, to approve compensation for the Deputy Clerk at $25.00 per hour. All in favor. Motion carried.
Motion by J. Schilling, seconded by C. Rice, to approve a 3% wage increase for the Deputy Treasurer. All in favor. Motion carried.
Discussion followed regarding an additional proposed resolution providing compensation to the Treasurer for summer tax collection responsibilities performed by the Township under contract with the school district. Reimbursement would be provided partly through the school-district contract and partly from tax interest and penalty account revenue.
The Treasurer characterized the work as State-mandated. The Supervisor and other Board members disagreed, noting that summer tax collection was performed by the Township under an optional intergovernmental contract rather than a statutory mandate. The additional compensation resolution was not approved.
Bridge and Walkway Near the Marina
A privately donated pedestrian bridge and small park near the boulder-stone area at the Marina were being constructed adjacent to the existing traffic bridge.
Township expenses would include modifying the sidewalk approach to angle into the bridge, adding guardrail extensions using Township welder labor, and placing drainage rock along both sides of the sidewalk to filter stormwater before it reached the creek. ADA approach considerations, including step-up alternatives, were discussed. Piling installation was scheduled for the following week. The matter was discussed, but no motion was required.
Tennis Park Locust Tree Removal
Two approximately 80-foot leaning locust trees adjacent to the tennis park were identified as safety hazards. One had already fallen into a neighboring tree. Northern Tree of Bellaire submitted a bid of $2,500.
Motion by C. Peeples, seconded by J. Schilling, to approve removal of the leaning locust trees by Northern Tree of Bellaire at a cost of $2,500. All in favor. Motion carried.
Parks & Recreation Resignations and Openings
The resignations of Chair S. Dell and Committee member B. Apley were received. The Board agreed to advertise two open positions on the Parks & Recreation Committee.
Planning Commission Appointment
The appointment of a new Planning Commission member is made directly by the Supervisor. Supervisor Peeples had a candidate in mind and planned to make the appointment at the next regular Board meeting.
New Zoning Administrator
Jackie Petersen was hired as the new Zoning Administrator. Onboarding was complete, and her start date was July 20, 2026. Ms. Petersen would share office space with retiring Zoning Administrator R. Logee during a training and overlap period through his retirement date. A new laptop and office air-conditioning unit would be purchased.
Anavon IT and Starlink Rewiring
Anavon completed on-site rewiring on July 9, 2026. The Township was operating fully on Starlink, and the prior 186 line had been disconnected.
Two Wi-Fi accounts were provisioned: an internal account for officials and a guest network. Bandwidth management was noted as a consideration when Zoom and telephone services were being used simultaneously.
The Township’s security posture continued to improve. Voting equipment was secured, and the office had been rekeyed so that access was limited to current employees.
Draft Purchase Policy
The Clerk presented a six-page draft Purchase Policy. The draft would be sent to Township Counsel and the process-review consultant before being presented to the Board for consideration.
Discussion included the need for structured purchasing controls after previous invoices were received without documentation of authorization or sufficient documentation for proper payment or reimbursement. The item was carried forward to the August 13, 2026 regular meeting.
Announcements
A free concert was scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at the Town Center. This would be the first concert held at that location.
Public Comment on Agenda Items
TriMedia provided an update on the Cemetery Project. The drone flight, ground-penetrating radar work, and GPS location of headstones had been completed. A paper map had been digitized into a GIS system with lot numbers integrated. A QR-code grave-location lookup would be published on the Township website.
TriMedia planned to be on site during the week of July 20, 2026 and would be available to meet with residents. A small number of quality-control items still needed to be photographed. Some spreadsheet data provided by the Township also required quality-control review.
No further public comment was offered.
Motion to Pay Bills
Motion by B. Bartz, seconded by J. Schilling, to pay the bills. All in favor. Motion carried.
Adjournment
Motion by O. Leffew to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 8:55 PM.
Recorded & Submitted By
Oryana Leffew, Helena Township Clerk
8751 Helena Road, Alden, Michigan 49612
clerk@helenatownshipmichigan.gov