LOCKE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING MINUTES DRAFT 1.14.2026
January 14, 2026
The Locke Township Board met on January 14, 2026, in the Locke Township Hall, 3805 Bell Oak Road, Williamston. Present: Lott, Shinkle, Shepler, Hull, Coe. Also present: Glenda Turner, Bruce Miller, Linda Bostrom, Paul Bostrom, Andrew Movalson, Lisa Movalson, Duane Pinckney, Jordan Smith, Brig Halpin, Christine McGoron, Kelly Treibes, Kelly & Dave Bullock, Mark & Sue Adams, Ben Howard, Darrell Ezmerlian, Roger Smith
Call to Order at 7:00 PM by Supervisor Lott followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Action on December 10, 2025 meeting minutes. Motion Hull; Second Shepler to approve the minutes of December 10, 2025 Board of Trustees Meeting. PASSED {5-0}
Approval of Agenda with Amendments to add smoker detector disposal under New Business. Motion Hull; Second Lott to approve the January 14, 2026 meeting agenda as amended. PASSED {5-0}
Action on Accts Payable Independent Bank checks #6958 – #6990 totaling $153,916.90
Motion Hull; Second Shepler to approve Accts Pay Checks #6958 – #6990 totaling $153,916.90. PASSED
{5-0}
Presentation / Public Comment:
- Ben Tirrell, Regional Manager gave a presentation on the proposed ITC transmission project. Several residents were in attendance and were given the opportunity to ask questions about the project. Residents were encouraged to attend the Listening Sessions to learn more and voice the concerns directly to ITC as it pertains to their specific property. MIFutureGrid.com
- The majority opinion of the residents in attendance was to use the existing line routes already in the township or use the highway or railroads right of ways for this project.
Unfinished Business
- Supervisor Lott has decided to forgo purchasing a laptop due to the
- Supervisor Lott and Clerk Shinkle participated in a Zoom meeting with the new website developer on December 23, 2025 and discussed the design options of the new Projected launch will be April 2026.
New Business
- Resolution Poverty Guidelines and Income/Asset Test 2026-01: Supervisor Lott updated the information given to him by Locke Townships assessor. Motion Shepler, Second Coe.
Roll call vote: Hull yes, Coe yes, Shepler yes, Lott yes, Shinkle yes. PASSED {5-0}
- Resolution Township Officers Salary 2026-02: Supervisor Lott updated the Township Officers Salary by following the recommended (2.8%) as shown on the Resolution #2026-02. Motion Shinkle, Second Hull.
Roll call vote: Hull yes, Coe yes, Shepler yes, Lott yes, Shinkle yes. PASSED {5-0}
- Wages Review: 2026-27 Locke Township Wages, Supervisor Lott asked the Board members to please review the proposed wages information and be prepared to discuss at the February
- Draft General Budget Worksheet: Supervisor Lott prepared the 2026-2027 General Budget Worksheet. He asked the Board members and Township staff to review and present him with any
- Lawn Maintenance for the Township Hall and Cemeteries has been confirmed with Strong’s Lawn Service for 2026.
- Planning Commission: Dorothy Hart has resigned from her role as Planning Commission Secretary as of December 31, She will be resigning her position on the NIESA Board in June 2026. Supervisor Lott praised Dorothy for her many years of service to Locke Township.
Supervisor Lott is open to whoever may want to take over the NIESA Board seat starting in July 2026.
- Planning Commission Vacancy: Supervisor Lott would like to appoint Steve Hunt to the Township Planning Commission vacant position for a 4-year term, expiring 12/31/2029. Motion Hull, Second Lott. PASSED {5-0}
- Locke Township Planning Commission Annual Report 2025: Supervisor Lott provided the Board members with the 2025 PC Annual report.
- Cemetery Ordinance: Sexton Fuller requested a review of the ordinance regarding artificial flowers for the spring and summer in Township Such as, the flowers being placed in erns or hangers so they cannot be hit by weed whips or mowers and that the flowers be of decent quality so they cannot blow out of the holders. Anything out of holders will be discarded. The Township staff will review the ordinance and make a recommendation to the Board.
- Inflation Rate Multiplier: Assessor Scott Cunningham has provided Supervisor Lott with the updated information regarding tax rates for 2026 which are decided by the Michigan State Tax
- Smoke Detector Disposal: Supervisor Lott installed new smoke detectors in the Township Hall. Motion to dispose of the old smoke detectors which have no Motion Shepler; Second Coe. PASSED {5-0}
Reports:
Clerk: December 31, 2025 rev/exp report provided in the packets.
Treasurer: December 31, 2025 treasurer report provided in the packets. Treasurer Shepler reported that 38.4% of Winter Taxes have been collected so far.
Trustee Coe: nothing to report Trustee Hull: nothing to report
Supervisor Lott: he has been in contact with Ben Tirrell from ITC Holdings Corp. Also, he has multiple conversations with County Commissioner Monica Schafer about options and with many township members about their concerns.
Zoning Administrator: December report summary w/building permits update received. NIESA: December Report received.
Public Comment [3 minute limitation]:
- Commissioner Monica Schafer provided a few updates:
- New Interim Road Director
- Materials Management Plan has a Township position vacant
- Data Center Ordinance – she encouraged to the Board to reach out to other local communities regarding data centers.
Communications, seminars, etc.
- Sgt Stack, ICSD report
Any Other Business / Board member comments: none
Adjournment. Motion Shepler, Second Lott to adjourn at 8:20 PM. PASSED {5-0} Meeting Adjourned. Next Township Board Meeting – Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Shinkle, Clerk Locke Township
