Wednesday October 14, 2026, 7:00PM
Location: 53640 Parkville Rd. Three Rivers, MI 49093

Minutes

1. Call to Order

Ed English called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

2. Roll Call

Roll call was taken and members present were:

  • Tom Springer
  • Bill Brislen
  • Ed English
  • Cindy Fenwick
  • Lari Roberts

3. Pledge of Allegiance

Ed English asked all present to stand and Pledge Allegiance to the Flag.

4. Set/amend agenda

Ed English noted to add Under 11d New Business One Time Farm Split

A motion was made by Bill Brislen with support from Lari Roberts to approve the amended agenda as noted. The motion carried.

5. Invited Representatives/Speakers

a.  Assessor, Dale Hutson

Mr. Hutson reported that he and Cindy Fenwick attended a meeting with BSA which is a tax and assessing software. The company informed them that they will be ending support of their software in 2029 or 2030.  The cost of the new software along with discounts available was presented to the Board.  It was noted that if more townships sign on the conversion costs are lower.  He commented that many people are unhappy with BSA.   He will forward a proposal to the board as soon as it is received.

A motion was made by Bill Brislen with support from Cindy Fenwick to purchase the updated BSA tax assessing software and sign the contract when presented.  The motion carried.

b.  Zoning Administrator: Matt Jorgensen

Mr. Jorgensen noted that to date there have been 37 permit applications for pole barns, new homes and sheds.

He has been working with Nottawa Township regarding their online permitting portal.  Once they have completed theirs it will be copied and pasted to other townships. Mike Hayden is in training with them regarding enforcement side.  The portal will have the ability where people can submit a report or complaint. It will also help distribute work load to appropriate personnel.

He also reported that he had a ZBA hearing and variance was issued for development on LakeShore Drive.

c.  Visitors:

Garret Milan – County Road Commission

Mr. Milan noted that the Road Commission will have an upcoming meeting. He had two items of importance that he wanted to present.

The first regarded work that was not completed due to equipment failure and that the repairs on the equipment and the unfinished portion of the road will not be completed until next year.

The second item related to the changes in the Neighborhood Roads Fund. Mr. Milan explained where the funds come from and the various areas/levels of distribution for the funding.  The funding for road work will focus on primary roads.

It was questioned how they decide on which road to work on.

Mr. Milan noted that they drive the roads, check traffic data and note the shape they are in.

6. Public Comments

Robin Burpee – Comments were made regarding one time land split.

Kathie Roberts – read various religious passages.

Reggie Chapman: noted she had postcards regarding Township meetings.

As a response to previous comments made regarding the Ballot Box Lari Roberts noted that she inspects the box daily and had found one envelope inserted into the box which was not a ballot but had tape on the back which caught some ballots and jammed it.  There were only 11 ballots in the box at that time and noted that it is only for ballots and there is a mail slot on the Township Door for envelopes

7.  Approve of minutes from the April 8, 2026 Regular meeting

A motion was made by Lari Roberts with support from Bill Brislen to approve the minutes as written. The motion carried.

8. Treasurer’s Report – Cindy Fenwick

Mrs. Fenwick reviewed the Treasurer’s Report and noted there is $1,169,768.96 in the General Accounts.  A motion was made by Bill Brislen with support from Ed English to accept the Treasurer’s report as presented. The motion carried.

9. Correspondence

a.   Review of Building Inspectors Report

The board reviewed the Building Inspector’s Report

b.  Review of Mike Haydon, Code Violation Report

The Code Violation was reviewed by the Board.

10. Unfinished Business

None

11. New Business

a. Election Committee

Lari Roberts read the following names of the Election Committee:

Cindy Newell (D), Election Chairperson, Arlene Brislen (D), Kay Anderson (D), Cathy Luttrell (R)

Mary Stevens (R), Rosalyn Miller (D), Diane Zinsmaster (R), Lari Roberts (R) Park Township Clerk,

A motion was made by Ed English with support from Bill Brislen to accept the Election Committee members. The motion carried

b. Road Commission meeting

Ed English reported that the Board will be attending the Road Commission Meeting on November 5, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. The Road Commission will be presenting information regard roadwork that will be doing.

c. Planning Commission Vacancy –

Mr. English announced a vacancy on the Planning Commission Committee and that anyone interested should send their resume to [email protected].

d. One Time farm Split – Matt Jorgensen:

Mr. Jorgenson addressed the zoning ordinances regarding one time farm land splits.  It is permitted in AR districts and is used for a one-time house and building from a farm split and once performed cannot use the process ever again. He noted that this is not a special use or rezoning issue and that no public notice is required since it is just a land division.

Mr. Jorgenson presented a land split proposal for the Estate of Joyce Kine.  This is a 160-acre parcel. Survey was performed by Mostrum and the 4.9-acre split includes a house, shed and a barn. There is 200 feet of road frontage and the house is at least 40 years old. Zoning and recording fees have been paid and there are no setback issues.

A motion was made by Ed English with support from Cindy Fenwick to approve the one-time land split for the estate of Judy Kline 51779 Lang Road. The motion carried.

12. Board Reports

a.  Governmental Relations – Cindy Fenwick

No Meeting

b.    Fire Board – Ed English

Mr. English noted an attempted theft of Fire Hydrants sitting by the fire department building. Mr. Hackenberg met them and stopped the theft. The department will be getting cameras at the fire station.

Paid the bills.

Mr Brislen complimented the 911 dispatcher and the Sheriffs Department for their response in apprehending a person who was in the process of robbing items from his pole barn.

13. Approval of bills for payment

A motion was made by Bill Brislen with support from Cindy Fenwick to approve the bills for payment. The motion carried.

14. Adjournment

A motion was made by Ed English with support from Lari Roberts to adjourn the meeting at 8:09 p.m.   The motion carried.

Arlene Brislen
Recording Secretary

PDF is provided for convenience.
View October 14, 2026 Park Township Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Minutes