(Publisher’s note: Arlene Bareis will retire as of Dec. 31 and Elaine Bater will take over on Jan. 1, 2016 and he appointment continues through Nov. 20, 2016. This information has been corrected and I apologize for the mistakes.)
The Lima Township Board of Trustees met on Monday evening, Nov. 9, and opened with the business of selecting a Township Clerk to fill this elected position due to the retirement of Arlene Bareis, effective as of Dec. 31.
The Board unanimously appointed Elaine Bater, after commenting on the three-person applicant pool. Board member Greg McKenzie said that he “was impressed with all three candidates,” and added that it “was very difficult to decide.”
A written statement from Township Treasurer Nanette Havens, who was unable to attend the meeting, echoed McKenzie’s sentiments, and added that Bater was the clear choice due to her familiarity with accounting as well as the BSA software used by the township for assessing and property tax purposes.
Bates will begin her duties on Jan. 1, 2016, and until then will be trained by the outgoing Bareis. She will serve as the appointed Township Clerk through Nov. 20, 2016, when a clerk will be elected.
The Board unanimously approved a motion to impose a six-month moratorium on dog parks due to lack of any specific ordinance in township zoning. Township Supervisor Craig Maier stated that this moratorium is only necessary “Until ordinance language is developed,” and that six months would be a good time frame in which to tackle the issue.
Maier also attended the Nov. 2 Washtenaw County Transportation Summit, and walked away with a comprehensive list of road construction projects taking place in the county over the next year. This served as a reminder that the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of M-52 and Werkner Road by MDOT is still slated to begin in the spring of 2016.
In other news, Ed Greenleaf announced that he has received about 300 responses to a survey asking residents their opinion on the future of the Lima Township Hall. Greenleaf said that residents favor construction of a new town hall by a margin of 2:1 over renovating the existing structure. Greenleaf also wanted to remind residents that this survey is only to get an opinion on the matter, and that nothing is imminent. A public meeting is tentatively slated to take place on Wednesday, Dec. 2 in order to further gauge public opinion.
Chelsea District Library President Elizabeth Sensoli reminded the Board and the public about the Veterans Day service taking place at Veterans Park at 1 p.m. on Nov. 11. Sensoli and Maier also wanted to send out a plea concerning the World War I Centennial Commemoration slated for summer/fall of 2016 by the library, in partnership with the River Gallery and the Chelsea American Legion.
They are asking for help in finding residents to lend WWI artifacts, photos, letters, etc. for the proposed installation, and are asking businesses to allow the attachment of a WWI banner to their downtown business property. Contact Keegan Suleki, Head of Adult Services at the Library at [email protected] or 475-8732, extension 218, or Director of the River Gallery Patti Schwartz at [email protected] or 433-0826.
Near the end of the meeting, Bareis addressed the Board and audience, and said that “It has been a pleasure serving Lima Township,” and she wished Elaine Bater all the best. Bater then said that “I am so excited” and went on to say that she is looking forward to learning the ins and outs of the clerk position.
Maier also extended his thanks and appreciation to the Ann Arbor Moose Lodge #1253 for their clean-up of the Lima cemetery.
