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St. James Township Board approves budget amendments, hires maintenance assistant and authorizes transfer-station repair
Summary
At its Jan. 21, 2026 rescheduled meeting, the St. James Township Board approved multiple budget amendments, authorized hiring a maintenance assistant at $30/hour, approved a $300 stipend for the campground host, and authorized up to $25,000 to repair a transfer-station loader; it also formed a Gull Harbor Natural Area committee to seek a county grant.
The St. James Township Board met on Jan. 21, 2026, at the BIHS Print Shop Gallery Room and approved a package of routine financial and personnel actions, including budget amendments across several funds and authorization to hire a maintenance assistant at $30.00 per hour.
Supervisor Welke called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. and confirmed that Cole, Gillespie, McDonough, Peirano and Welke were present. The board first approved the minutes of the Dec. 16, 2025 regular meeting on a motion by Cole, supported by Gillespie.
In financial business, the board voted to accept the Dec. 31, 2025 financial report. It then approved payments as presented and adopted budget amendments for the General Fund, Marina Fund, Sewer Fund and Campground Fund; the minutes record roll-call approval by all members on those items.
On personnel, the board voted to fill the Township Maintenance Assistant position at a rate of $30.00 per hour, “as needed by the previous incumbent, Joe Callian.” The motion to fill the position was moved by Gillespie and seconded by McDonough and passed by unanimous roll call. The board also approved a $300 stipend for the campground host on a motion by McDonough, seconded by Peirano.
In operations and capital items, the board recorded that Vicky Fingeroot has vacated the Harbor Master position effective April 1, 2026; the position will be discussed at a future meeting. The board also authorized the Transfer Station to expend up to $25,000 to repair a loader. That motion (moved by Peirano and seconded by Gillespie) passed by majority with a 3–2 roll-call vote: Cole and McDonough voted no; Gillespie, Peirano and Welke voted yes.
The board authorized the formation of a Gull Harbor Natural Area (GHNA) Committee with island representatives B. Welke, C. Peirano, D. Case and G. Stanhope and with membership from the Little Traverse Conservancy. The committee is authorized to apply to the Charlevoix County Community Foundation for a grant to fund creation of a GHNA management plan and to implement some improvements; that motion carried unanimously.
The board opened a two-minute public-comment period for general purposes (no comments are recorded in these minutes) and adjourned at 6:45 p.m. on a motion by McDonough, seconded by Peirano. Minutes were submitted by Suzanne Boyle, Deputy Clerk.
Votes at a glance: - Accept Dec. 31, 2025 financial report — Passed (unanimous) - Approve payments as presented — Passed (unanimous; roll call recorded) - Amend General Fund budget — Passed (unanimous; roll call recorded) - Amend Marina Fund budget — Passed (unanimous; roll call recorded) - Amend Sewer Fund budget — Passed (unanimous; roll call recorded) - Amend Campground Fund budget — Passed (unanimous; roll call recorded) - Fill Maintenance Assistant at $30.00/hour (as needed by previous incumbent Joe Callian) — Passed (unanimous; roll call recorded) - Campground host stipend $300 — Passed (unanimous; roll call recorded) - Authorize Transfer Station to expend up to $25,000 to repair loader — Passed (3 yes, 2 no; Cole and McDonough voted no) - Form Gull Harbor Natural Area Committee and authorize grant application — Passed (unanimous)
Next steps: the board will discuss the Harbor Master vacancy at a future meeting; the newly authorized GHNA committee may proceed with a Charlevoix County Community Foundation grant application and development of a management plan.
