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Harrison Township board approves firefighter intern hire, deficit plan, golf‑cart rules and OPEB contributions
Summary
At its July 14 meeting the Harrison Township Board approved a firefighter‑intern LOA and conditional hire, adopted a Special Assessment deficit elimination plan, introduced an RV/ORV ordinance, approved culvert repairs and OPEB contributions, and passed resolutions on golf carts and bottomland conveyance support.
The Charter Township of Harrison Board of Trustees on July 14 approved a package of administrative, financial and public‑safety measures, including hiring a firefighter intern, adopting a deficit elimination plan for special assessments, authorizing limited golf cart use on township streets, and contributing to the township’s OPEB trust.
Trustee Brian Batkins moved and Trustee Dean Olgiati seconded approval of the consent agenda, which included the June 23 minutes and bills totaling $1,600,535.33; the motion carried unanimously.
Fire department: The Board approved a Letter of Agreement with IAFF 1737 to hire paramedic‑qualified candidates as Firefighter Interns who have passed the state paramedic test and the Candidate Physical Ability Test. The township will pay for their fire‑academy training at Macomb Community College (about 10 weeks) and compensate interns at $24.03 per hour during academy attendance. The Board approved hiring Nathan Lewsick as a Firefighter Intern and authorized the Fire Chief to extend an offer prior to the intern’s 90th day of employment, subject to terms of the LOA.
Finance and budget: The Board adopted a Deficit Elimination Plan for the Special Assessments Revolving Fund to comply with the State Revenue Sharing Act of 1971 (PA 140). The minutes show an unassigned deficit of $32,438 as of Dec. 31, 2024; the plan projects special assessment collections and early payoffs through 2033 and anticipates eliminating the deficit.
Ordinance action: The Clerk introduced Ordinance No. 409 to amend Chapter 86 of the township code to regulate recreational vehicle parking and to prohibit operation of off‑road vehicles (ORVs) on public streets. The ordinance text (which cites the Michigan Vehicle Code and related state acts) was introduced for publication; the Board directed the Clerk to publish a notice of introduction and make the full text available in the Clerk’s office.
Infrastructure and appointments: The Board approved culvert repairs under the Freedom Trail Bike Path at a cost not to exceed $12,000 to be funded from the General Fund, and accepted the resignation of Planning Commission member Mike Viazanko while appointing Ken Mulder to fill a term through Nov. 15, 2027.
Other resolutions: The Board adopted a resolution authorizing limited use of golf carts on streets in accordance with MCL 257.657a and Public Act 491 of 2014, and approved a resolution supporting the conveyance of Great Lakes bottomlands at 36070 Jefferson Ave. to EV & MRA, LLC for commercial recreational watercraft dockage (renewal of an existing lease area of about 1.54 acres identified in the resolution). The Board also approved contributions of $100,000 each from the General Fund, Fire Fund and Water & Sewer Fund to the township’s OPEB trust.
Public comment and adjournment: Resident C. William Bardill spoke during public comment; trustees discussed Water & Sewer Department work and Waterfront Park improvements. The Board adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
All motions and resolutions in these matters passed by recorded unanimous vote of trustees present unless noted otherwise.
