April 21, 2026 Board Meeting Minutes

Sheridan Township Board of Trustees Meeting

April 21, 2026

7:00 pm

I.          Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Richard Porter at 7:00 pm.

The pledge of allegiance to the Flag of the United States: Led by Richard Porter.

II.         Present: Richard Porter, Scott Frederick, Rusty Smith, Hayley England and Stephanie Craig.

Absent: None.

III.        Approval of Agenda: A motion was made by Scott, 2^nd by Stephanie to accept the agenda as presented.  All in favor, the motion passed. 

IV.        Approval of previous township board minutes: A motion was made by Scott, 2^nd by Hayley to accept the March 17^th meeting minutes as presented.  All in favor, the motion passed. 

V.         Payment of Bills: A motion was made by Scott, 2^nd by Hayley to approve the payment of bills.  Roll call vote; all in favor.  The motion passed.

VI.        Treasurers Report: A copy of the Treasurers report is provided for the board.  The $97,000 that we received from Enbridge needed to be returned; it was a clerical error on Enbridge's part.  The CD for the Fire Department is maturing on April 22^nd.  The Treasurer will check the rates and either leave it to roll over or move it to a different bank for a better rate.

VII.       Correspondence: May 7^th U of M is having a seminar on data centers.  May 12^th U of M is having a seminar on hydrogen production.

VIII.      Committee Reports:

Planning Commission/Roads - Scott Frederick.  There was a planning meeting last month.  It involved rezoning.  This item was tabled for now, as the board was not sure what effect the change would have on the residents’ taxes.  David Martin, Zoning Administrator, explains that taxes are calculated on the usage of property not on the zoning district, so it will not affect the residents’ taxes.

Fire - Chief Lance Lohrke.  Chief Lohrke goes over his report for March.  Training for March covered traffic management, severe weather operations, mental health by Front Line Strong, and live grass fire training.  Mason Griffith passed the Fire Academy and graduated.  Chief would like to bring on Chandler Barney as a part-time firefighter.  A motion was made by Scott 2^nd by Stephanie to approve Chief to hire Chandler Barney as a part-time firefighter.  All in favor; the motion passed.  Tanker 16 and Engine 16-2 are old; 31 and 28 years respectively.  Chief has requested quotes for new cabs and chassis for each truck.  The price for each is $150,000 and the cost to transfer the body, tank, and pump is an additional $70,000.  These would be titled as new trucks.  Fully new trucks would cost approximately $600,000.  A motion was made by Scott 2^nd by Richard for Chief to get a bid to redo one truck.  Roll call vote; all in favor.  The motion passed. 

Deputy - Jack Williamson.  Deputy Williamson presents his report for March.  A resident has asked why there is not a flashing light on C Drive and 28 Mile Rd intersection.  Jack has suggested the stop signs be replaced with solar powered flashing stop signs. 

David Martin - Zoning Administrator.  Dave is dealing with property on 24 Mile Rd.  He has received many complaints about this property.  It will cost the Township a significant amount of money to get that property cleaned up, and he is looking at different options. 

IV.        Public Comment: Richard McGill has been in talks with the County trying to get water run from a fire hydrant on the south side of 94 to the north side of 94.  Chief would like to see where this could go.  He and the Supervisor will work together to see how this can be accomplished.   

Janet Cuatt reminds everyone that May 4th is firefighter appreciation day.  She would like to do something for our fire department.  The board agrees.  There will be an open house on May 4^th from 5-7pm with light refreshments.  The public is welcome.  

X.         Unfinished Business: None

XI.        New Business

1.      Resolution 2026-12, approve or disapprove returning 24 Mile Road back to gravel between F Drive North and L Drive North until bridges are replaced.  The residents would not like this to be returned to gravel.  A motion was made by Richard, 2^nd by Hayley to approve Resolution 2026-12 returning 24 Mile Road back to gravel between F Drive North and L Drive North until bridges are replaced.  All opposed; the motion failed.  Rusty excused (zoom attendance).   

2.      Update on 425 meeting with the City of Albion.  The meeting with the City did not go well.  The City and the Township are not on the same page with this agreement so far.  There is another meeting scheduled for the 30^th of April.   

3.      Information on data centers prepared by U of M.  A packet of information is provided for the board.  There is a seminar on this subject on May 7^th; Richmond Offerson will be attending.

4.      Resolution 2026-13, approve or disapprove $20.00 a month contract with Verizon to allow Township Supervisor to use a tablet for township and personal business.  A motion was made by Scott, 2^nd by Stephanie to approve Resolution 2026-13 to approve a $20.00 per month contract with Verizon to allow Township Supervisor to use a tablet for township and personal business.  Roll call vote; all in favor.  The motion passed. 

5.      Resolution 2026-14, approve or disapprove cell phone for Fire Department at a cost of $36.00 and a tablet for $20.00 from Verizon.  A motion was made by Stephanie, 2^nd by Scott to approve Resolution 2026-14 to approve a cell phone for the Fire Department at a cost of $36.00 and a tablet for $20.00 from Verizon.  Roll call vote; all in favor.  The motion passed. 

6.      Review of Township Fee Schedule.  The Township Permit Fee Schedule needs to be adjusted.  Some of our fees are too low.  David Martin is looking into adding an escrow for some of these items as it has been an issue getting the full funds after things have been completed.  A motion made by Scott, 2^nd by Hayley to table this item until the June meeting so more research can be done.  All in favor, the motion passed.

7.      Discuss - approve/disapprove Ordinance 2026-02 amending Article 09 and Article 27.  These changes will remove data centers and data processing centers from the ordinance.  It will also change the number of members for Zoning Board of Appeals from four (4) to three (3) and one member may be a board member.  A motion was made by Scott, 2^nd by Hayley to approve Ordinance 2026-02 amending article 09 and article 27.  All in favor, the motion passed.  

XII.       Adjourn: A motion was made by Hayley, 2^nd by Stephanie at to adjourn at 8:10.  All in favor, the motion passed.

Stephanie Craig, Secretary