Sherwood Township board backs $3,000 boost for contractor, allows deposition in hall and enters closed session

Sherwood Township supervisors voted unanimously March 4 to increase the town’s maintenance contract with Diamond Service LLC by $3,000, authorizing a new annual rate of $29,900, and approved limited use of the township hall for a private deposition provided the township’s liability insurance covers the event and a board member is present.

The action on the Diamond Service contract came during new business. Supervisor Toren Stanton moved the increase, citing contract renegotiation in year five; Trustee Courliss said the contractor “does a really good job at keeping our lawn cut and keeping the snow removal up.” The motion passed 5-0.

The board also addressed a request from Greg Cook of Wolverine Mutual Insurance to use the conference room for a deposition involving five Sherwood residents. Treasurer Brubaker noted the township has not historically charged for building use. Supervisor Stanton moved to allow the deposition so long as it did not interfere with other activities and a board member was present; Clerk Hannah Smith seconded. Trustee Courliss moved to amend the motion to require that the township’s liability insurance cover the use; the amended motion carried 5-0.

Citing the need to protect the township’s legal position, Supervisor Stanton moved that the board enter a closed session pursuant to MCL 15.268(1)(e) to discuss the pending litigation Burns v Sherwood Township, Case No. 2024-1005-10-AA. The board took a roll-call vote and each member—Treasurer Brubaker, Clerk Hannah Smith, Trustee Brott, Trustee Courliss and Supervisor Stanton—voted yes. The closed session lasted from 7:55 p.m. to 8:08 p.m.

Treasurer Brubaker gave the financial report: a cash balance of $93,165.43 as of Feb. 28, 2025; $30,965 was posted to the revenue-sharing account; and the treasurer and clerk opened two seven-month certificates of deposit totaling $65,000 at 4%. Brubaker said tax collections for 2024 are expected to exceed $70,000, an increase from 2023. The board approved all February bills by a 5-0 vote and adjourned at 8:11 p.m.

Votes at a glance: the board approved the February minutes (motion by Clerk Hannah Smith, second Supervisor Toren Stanton; outcome 5-0); increased the Diamond Service LLC contract by $3,000 to $29,900 (moved by Supervisor Stanton; outcome 5-0); authorized use of the township hall for a deposition conditioned on liability coverage and a board member’s presence (initial motion by Supervisor Stanton; amended by Trustee Courliss to add an insurance requirement; outcome 5-0); entered and exited a closed session to discuss Burns v Sherwood Township under MCL 15.268(1)(e) (roll-call all yes); approved February bills (moved by Supervisor Stanton; outcome 5-0).

The board heard complaints about last year’s dust-control contractor—Marjorie Whitcomb and Trustee Brott said the contractor arrived late, performed poorly and did not treat Stanton Road—and Supervisor Stanton said he will solicit new quotes for 2025. Clerk Hannah Smith reported hiring her daughter, Payton Smith, to perform a few clerical tasks part time, including scanning historic meeting minutes and organizing records.

The board did not take further substantive action on the fire department report, which noted a slow month, one lift assist and training on solar panel fires. The sheriff’s office offered to provide quarterly reports and mentioned upcoming hiring for marine deputies and the start of 24-hour road patrol service in mid-April.

The meeting record shows motions and roll-call votes; no dissenting votes were recorded. The board’s next planned administrative steps include seeking dust-control quotes and confirming insurance coverage before permitting outside use of the township hall.