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Oscoda annual meeting reviews board reports as residents press for better public communication; staff cite delayed demolitions
Summary
At the Charter Township of Oscoda’s Sept. 30 annual meeting of the boards, residents urged improved communication and completion of long-stalled projects; staff noted five demolition files from 2019 only recently addressed. No formal votes were recorded; the meeting lasted from 2:17 p.m. to 3:33 p.m.
Supervisor Bill Palmer called the Charter Township of Oscoda’s annual meeting of the boards to order at 2:17 p.m. on Sept. 30, 2024, at Shoreline Players, 6000 N. Skeel Ave., to review board reports and strategic goals across township panels.
The meeting listed planned reviews for the Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, the Economic Improvement Committee and the Board of Review but provided no substantive reports in the minutes beyond agenda items and board discussion. The session, attended by township board members and staff, focused on process and communication rather than on formal decisions or votes.
During the public-comment period, Tom Maxwell said, “There is a lot of conversation about the direction of the township that will be decided by the next board. The new board will be going in a different direction than we are now.” Vickie Hopcroft urged improved outreach and clearer follow-through, saying, “Imperfect communication with public may be fixed with Town Hall Meetings. I think that our progress is not being carried forward and projects are getting shelved instead of finished. Too shy about deliberating. We need to improve our ability to meet outside of meetings.”
Board members and staff responded with procedural remarks and reminders of past practices. Jaimie McGuire noted that a previous superintendent had sent letters answering questions raised at meetings. Supervisor Bill Palmer said the township previously held Friday work sessions but that getting all members to attend was difficult and he wished the incoming board well. Economic Improvement Committee member David Carmona said the township has an obligation to educate residents about board work and why certain decisions are made.
Planning and Zoning Administrator Rick Buckner flagged an operational backlog: “There were five files from 2019 that were slated for demolition that didn't happen until now.” The minutes record this as a factual point raised in the meeting; no motion or vote concerning those files is recorded in the transcript.
Joshua Sutton, recorded in the minutes as a township board member, thanked volunteers for completing required training and taking their oaths of office.
No formal motions, votes, ordinances, or resolutions are recorded in the minutes of the meeting. Supervisor Bill Palmer adjourned the meeting at 3:33 p.m.
With the incoming board expected to take office, public commenters and some board members emphasized a need for clearer public engagement and continuity on multi-year projects. The meeting served mainly as a coordination and status check among township boards rather than a venue for new policy decisions.
