Buckeye Township

Regular Meeting

March 18, 2026

 

Supervisor Kevin VanTiem called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance at 6:33 pm. Board members present: Kevin VanTiem, Susan Walker, Steve Broka, Ed Schroeder, and Ron Brabon. The Board reviewed the Clerk’s minutes as they were presented. Susan Walker made a motion to accept the minutes as presented. Motion supported by Ron Brabon. Ayes – 5, Nays - 0, motion carried.  Ron Brabon made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report. Motion supported by Ed Schroeder.  Ayes – 5, Nays - 0, motion carried. Ed Schroeder made a motion to pay the bills as presented. Motion supported by Susan Walker. A Roll call: Kevin VanTiem - Yes, Susan Walker - Yes, Steve Broka - Yes, Ron Brabon - Yes, Ed Schroeder - Yes, Nays - none. Motion carried.   

 

Commissioner Report:  March 30th the Council of Local Government will hold at meeting at Gladwin City Hall at 7 p.m. and talk about blight ordnances. The Gladwin County Pageant is becoming a voice for our county. Nine girls are vying for the title which takes place on June 27, 2026.

 

Fire Board Report:  There were 26 runs during February, only two in our township. One was a fuel spill of approximately 10 gallons at the gas station on M-18. Another was a PI on S. M-18 at 10pm. Discussion was held on the type of incidents last year: downed power lines 52, EMS assists 46, mutual aid/structure fires 22, PI accidents 24 and structure fires 14, the remaining grass, brush and electrical fires. In old business, there was discussion on the fire chief selection process: should the position be part-time or full-time with paid benefits? What are the minimum qualifications? There are no procedures in place or on record. A committee was formed with one person each township, one from the city and one from the firefighters to find a new chief. Ed Schroeder from our township is on the committee.

 

Hall Report:  There were three rentals for this period. All fire extinguishers were replaced and are good now until 2028. Furnace filters were replaced.

 

Public Comment:   Mike Dittenber spoke about harvesting the trees on the township properties. There is approximately 60 acres that could be harvested. He gave the township 4 options: 1) Do nothing, 2) Hire a forester for plan management. Cost $3000-$5000, 3) Put out bids for the red pines, with potential for $130 a cord, 4) Replant red pines and do a thinning in 15 years.

 

Correspondence:  None

 

Budget: The General Appropriation was presented to the board for approval. Motion made by Susan Walker to accept the General Appropriation as presented, seconded by Ron Brabon. Ayes – 5, Nays - 0, motion adopted.

 

The 2026 – 2027 Budget was presented to the board for approval. Motion was made by Susan Walker to accept the 2026 – 2027 Budget as presented, seconded by Steve Broka. Roll call: Kevin VanTiem - Yes, Susan Walker - Yes, Steve Broka - Yes, Ron Brabon - Yes, Ed Schroeder - Yes, Nays - none. Motion carried.  

 

Old and New Business:   

                                       

OLD:  None

 

NEW:  The Board meeting dates and time for the 2026 – 2027 were set for the fiscal year. Motion was made by Ron Brabon to leave board meeting on the third Wednesday of the month, seconded by Ed Schroeder. Ayes – 5, Nays – 0; motion carried. The clerk will post the meeting on the billboard in front of the hall.

The clerk requested for Consumers Energy bill be paid via ACH. The township received a shut off notice for the hall as the bill had not been paid. The check was sent out February 19th, Consumers Energy received our payment March 11th. They refunded the late fees. Motion was made by Susan Walker to pay Consumers Energy via ACH, seconded by Steve Broka. Ayes – 5, Nays – 0; motion carried.

Treasurer announced the Depositor for fiscal year 2026 – 2027: Huntington Bank.

The treasurer made the board aware of an elderly resident paid his taxes, but made the payee wrong. We got a NSF fee. The treasurer is requesting the board absorb the fee. The treasurer was informing the board of this issue.

A motion was made to adjourn the meeting motion made by Susan Walker, seconded by Ron Brabon. Roll call: Kevin VanTiem - Yes, Susan Walker - Yes, Steve Broka - Yes, Ron Brabon - Yes, Ed Schroeder - Yes, Nays - none. Motion carried.  Meeting was adjourned at 7:28 pm.

 

Respectfully,

 

 

 

Susan J. Walker, Clerk