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Farwell council approves $297,902.51 in December bills, removes former clerk from bank accounts and orders generator evaluations
Summary
At its Jan. 5 meeting the Village of Farwell council approved Dec. minutes and $297,902.51 in bills, voted to remove former clerk Tonya Roe from village bank and credit accounts at Isabella Bank and Members First Credit Union, authorized evaluations for generators at DPW and office buildings and agreed to pursue a DNR Tree City application.
The Village of Farwell council met Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, and approved routine business including the Dec. 15, 2025 minutes and payment of December bills and payroll totaling $297,902.51.
The council, led by President Tracey Jackson, voted unanimously on the consent items. Trustee Marvin Frayer moved to approve the minutes; Trustee Gina Hamilton moved approval of the December bills. A roll call vote on the bills registered all yeas from the seven members present.
On personnel and banking matters, the council voted to remove former clerk Tonya Roe from the village's accounts at two financial institutions. Trustee Gina Hamilton moved to remove Roe from Isabella Bank accounts, CDs and credit cards, seconded by Trustee Victoria Williams; a roll call vote recorded all yeas. The council separately voted to remove Roe from Members First Credit Union accounts after a motion from Trustee Gina Hamilton, seconded by Trustee Marvin Frayer, with a unanimous roll call.
Council action on infrastructure included a motion by Trustee Gina Hamilton, seconded by Trustee Victoria Williams, to have the Department of Public Works and the village office evaluated for possible generator purchases; that motion carried. The council also moved to allow DPW to remove a snow pile at the corner of Superior and Main if deemed a safety hazard.
On investments and finance, the council voted to transfer matured Members First Credit Union certificates of deposit to MiClass after a motion from Trustee Gina Hamilton and seconded by Trustee Victoria Williams; the motion carried by roll call.
In unfinished business, the council agreed to pursue a Department of Natural Resources Tree City application after a motion by Trustee Amanda Pfruender. The council postponed a building bid award until the Jan. 20 meeting after a motion by Trustee Victoria Williams.
Other routine items included committee assignments for 2026 (no changes), committee meeting schedules (Parks & Rec Jan. 7; DPW Jan. 15; Personnel Jan. 21) and staff reports. Clerk/Treasurer Ross Wilson presented the December bank and fund report and discussed the Mill Pond award application, 2026 elections, special budget meetings and USDA loan payments; Zoning Officer Timothy Feig presented the zoning report.
President Jackson also briefed the council on a recent power outage and coordination with Consumers Energy, and Trustee Victoria Williams updated the council on building department matters. No public comment was received during the meeting. Trustee Amanda Pfruender moved to adjourn at 6:53 PM; Trustee Victoria Williams seconded and the motion carried.
Votes at a glance: - Approve Dec. 15, 2025 minutes: Moved Marvin Frayer; second Victoria Williams; outcome: approved. - Approve payment of bills and payroll for December ($297,902.51): Moved Gina Hamilton; second Marvin Frayer; roll call — all yeas; outcome: approved. - Approve agenda as presented: Moved Amanda Pfruender; second Gina Hamilton; outcome: approved. - Pursue DNR Tree City application: Moved Amanda Pfruender; second Shawn Burger; outcome: approved. - Postpone building bid award to Jan. 20, 2026: Moved Victoria Williams; second Gina Hamilton; outcome: approved. - Authorize evaluation for generators at DPW and office buildings: Moved Gina Hamilton; second Victoria Williams; outcome: approved. - Defer BS&A proposal to next fiscal year: Moved Gina Hamilton; second Amanda Pfruender; outcome: approved. - Transfer matured MFCU CDs to MiClass: Moved Gina Hamilton; second Victoria Williams; roll call — all yeas; outcome: approved. - Allow DPW to remove snow pile at Superior & Main if a safety hazard: Moved Gina Hamilton; second Amanda Pfruender; outcome: approved. - Remove Tonya Roe from Isabella Bank accounts and instruments: Moved Gina Hamilton; second Victoria Williams; roll call — all yeas; outcome: approved. - Remove Tonya Roe from Members First Credit Union accounts and instruments: Moved Gina Hamilton; second Marvin Frayer; roll call — all yeas; outcome: approved. - Adjourn meeting at 6:53 PM: Moved Amanda Pfruender; second Victoria Williams; outcome: approved.
The next regular council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, at 6:00 PM.
