Fremont Twp OKs insurance change, addresses cemetery concerns

FREMONT TWP. — The Fremont Township board approved new insurance coverage and an agreement for routine legal services at their Sept. 24 meeting, while also accepting an audit report and discussing how to improve cemetery upkeep and access to burial records.

The board approved an insurance proposal presented by John N. Johnson from Nickel and Saph Inc. Insurance Agency, including an additional $126 annually for terrorism coverage. Johnson said the proposal would match the township’s existing coverage and provide separate $3 million limits for several liability categories.

Board members discussed rising insurance costs before approving the change. Johnson also described assistance available with training, property appraisals and insurance requirements in township contracts.

The board approved an agreement with a second attorney, Scott Radloff, at $175 an hour, with no retainer fee. Supervisor Mark Kenward and Clerk Sonya Francis said the attorney would assist with routine matters, including ballot proposals and publication requirements, while the township’s existing attorney would continue handling energy-related matters.

Kenward said officials remained confident in their existing attorney but hoped to reduce expenses by using a local attorney for some work.

“So, it’s worth it to us to try to save some dollars that way, rather than paying our other attorney, even though we have full confidence in him,” Kenward said.

The board also accepted the township’s audit report. Kenward reported that the township’s figures balanced, while auditors noted concerns about the division of financial duties among a small number of staff members.

“Essentially they found no issues with our numbers,” he said. 

Officials discussed the challenges small townships face when too few people must handle several financial responsibilities. The cost of the audit services was reported as $6,425.

Cemetery improvements and recordkeeping received considerable attention during the meeting. Volunteers recently repainted the cemetery sign dark green and added wire cages filled with stone around the posts to protect them from mowing equipment.

Residents and officials also discussed discarded planting containers, damaged headstones and the need for a map showing burial plots and who is buried in each location. During public comment, resident Tracy Katulski described a family’s search for a missing headstone and suggested organizing volunteers to help clean up and document the cemetery.

Kenward said the township did not have a complete set of plot records available at the hall and would contact the sexton about obtaining copies. No cemetery restoration project was formally approved.

At the community building, Kenward plans to seek an updated estimate for roof work and repairs to two canopies. Officials also discussed drainage damage to the parking lot and work needed to straighten the basketball hoops before winter.

The township’s indoor trick-or-treat event is planned for Oct. 10 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Township Hall. Those interested in handing out candy may reserve a spot inside. Doughnuts, cider and hot dogs are also planned.

Other business

• The board voted again to approve its blight ordinance after officials reported that the newspaper publication deadline had been missed following the previous vote. The board also approved the Croswell EMS service contract and renewed a certificate of deposit at Tri-County Bank for three months at 3.5 percent.
• 7th District Sanilac County Commissioner John Moody provided an update on county business, including storm cleanup at Forester Park and a legal services agreement with Foster Swift for matters related to alternative energy development. Moody said the county’s goal is to preserve local decision-making. “It’s to try and keep the local decision, the townships making the decisions, and not Lansing,” he said. Moody also reported that the county medical care facility is expected to repay a $1.68 million county loan in five and a half years, rather than the original 11-year schedule due to the facility faring better than expected. 
• Clerk Sonya Francis reported receiving a new application for a proposed wind energy facility involving Fremont, Speaker and Elk townships under Public Act 233 of 2023. Officials also announced a Nov. 4 solar project display at the Township Hall, where residents would be able to view site plans and project information. A time was not provided during the discussion. 
• During board comments, Treasurer Jessica Onufrak addressed the continuing dispute over payments made to a former treasurer from the allowance provided for collecting the state education tax. No comment from Trustee Karen Kovach or former Supervisor Jim Wilson was able to be obtained. 
• Francis said she had contacted state and county election officials about election worker compensation and was advised that workers should be paid for their election-related hours even when an error occurs.

The next regular board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 22.