Millington Township approves $242,529 in bills, funds MTA training and tightens SLUP change process

The Millington Township Board met on April 21, 2025 at Millington Township Hall and approved payment of bills totaling $242,529.16 and several governance actions, including funding training for township and zoning officials and directing the Planning Commission to require written requests for changes to Special Land Use Permits (SLUPs).

Supervisor R. Loomis called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and the board immediately approved the agenda (motion by Loomis, support by G. Cook) and accepted the March 17, 2025 regular meeting minutes and March 31, 2025 Budget Hearing minutes (motion by G. Cook, support by Loomis). The board then approved payment of bills as presented. The Treasurer reported the bills and fund balances; the motion to pay bills (moved by S. Keinath, supported by L. Jaruzel) carried with all members voting aye. The bills totaled $242,529.16, broken out in the Treasurer’s report as General $123,520.57; Fire $32,023.56; Police $19,935.30; Refuse $55,646.00; Murphy Lake $5,279.33; and Fire Damage Escrow $6,124.40.

During an early public comment period resident Emory Clouse pointed out errors in the Budget Hearing minutes, saying the names "Green and Sabgash" were listed as having accepted the 2025–2026 budget when the correct names should have been Cook and Cameron. The board paused for a technical issue for about 20 minutes before resuming business.

Under new business, the board heard an announcement about an upcoming MTA training session. The board later approved a motion (moved by Loomis, supported by Jaruzel) directing the township to pay registration for any township board member, Planning Commission member, Zoning Board of Appeals member, or the Zoning Administrator who wishes to attend the "Introduction to Planning and Zoning" training. The recorded vote on that motion was Ayes: Jaruzel, Keinath, Loomis, Cameron, Cook; Nays: none; motion passed.

The meeting included discussion of a proposed review of Short-Term Rental (STR) SLUPs. Mr. Zavitz, who was scheduled to speak on the STR SLUP review, did not attend. Board members L. Jaruzel and S. Keinath expressed concern about the Planning Commission making changes to ordinances without clear requests. The board subsequently passed a motion (moved by Jaruzel, supported by Keinath) directing the Planning Commission to require a written request with proof of need and justification for any SLUP change, per the township lawyer’s recommendation. The motion passed with Ayes from Cameron, Cook, Jaruzel, and Keinath and an abstention by Loomis.

The Zoning Administrator presented three complaints (2024-033, 2024-035, 2025-003). The board agreed that property owners in complaints 2024-033 and 2024-035 had made sufficient progress and voted to close those two cases; complaint 2025-003 requires further investigation and Loomis said he would follow up.

On an old-business item, S. Keinath asked about changing zoning for a parcel in the Cooper subdivision; Ms. Daenzer said she would bring the parcel to the Zoning Board of Appeals to request a variance, and L. Jaruzel recommended adding the parcel to the Master Plan so it could be addressed during the plan update.

Supervisor Loomis requested a policy to protect township Board of Review members and provided a written outline. The meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m. following a motion by S. Keinath supported by R. Loomis.

Votes at a glance: agenda approved (unanimous); minutes approved (unanimous); payment of bills $242,529.16 (unanimous); township to pay for MTA training for eligible officials (unanimous); Planning Commission required to accept only written SLUP-change requests with proof/justification (Ayes 4, Abstain 1).