Ironwood Township limits cash payments as COVID-19 precaution

IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP — The Ironwood Township Board of Trustees moved to restrict cash payments at the township hall Monday as part of the township’s ongoing efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

Along with closing the office to walk-in traffic, township officials expressed concern that the need to handle cash increased the risk of catching the coronavirus.

The number of cash payments had decreased at the beginning of the pandemic, according to township officials, but had been increasing in recent weeks.

“Right now, people want to pay their property taxes in cash. There’s people wanting to pay their water bills in cash. I just don’t feel comfortable taking cash,” Treasurer Maria Graser said. “There’s a lot of out-of-towners coming in wanting to pay their stuff, I don’t know where it’s coming from.”

Bills can still be paid with check and money order via the drop box at the township hall, Graser told the Daily Globe, as well as online.

Trustee Kevin Lyons questioned whether the decision to limit cash payments meant they should also suspend late fees. Several township officials expressed opposition to this idea, arguing the fees were basically the only incentive people had to pay their bills on time after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer decided to suspend utility shutoffs through the end of the year. They also said that tax and garbage payments aren’t due until September, which gave people the opportunity to find alternatives to cash.

“I think that’s more than ample time,” Supervisor Jim Simmons said.

The board’s motion ultimately amended the township’s existing preparedness plan to not accept cash payments through the end of August.

In other action:

—The board tabled the adoption of changes to the anti-noise ordinance after several board members raised questions over whether some of the provisions were too broad to be enforceable.

—Authorized two of the township volunteer fire departments truck for usage in a funeral procession for a local firefighter.