Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By P.J. GLISSON
Marenisco TOWNSHIP — Members of the Marenisco Township Board of Trustees learned at their regular Monday evening meeting that Supervisor Bruce Mahler will post a new advertisement to invite applicants for the full-time position of Chief of Police.
“Applicants must have current Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards certification and ability to be licensed to be considered for employment,” states the announcement shared by Mahler.
It also states that the person hired as chief will work “a minimum 40-hour week with scheduled office and patrol hours and must be available to respond to calls after hours.”
Starting salary will be in the $21 to $25 per hour range, based on experience, along with a full benefits package.
“Residency within the township is preferable, but cannot be required,” the announcement reads. “However, preference will be given to Marenisco residents who meet the minimum requirements.”
Mahler, who also chaired the meeting held in the Marenisco Township Hall, said that it’s not easy to find qualified applicants.
In a reference to waning interest, which some local officials attribute in part to national politics, Interim Chief Brandon Tauer said, “It’s not the most desirable job right now, but you never know who’s out there.”
Tauer has been the interim chief since Mahler retired from the position at the end of last August.
Because Tauer also has a full-time job with the Gogebic County Sheriff’s Office, Mahler said he doesn’t want to continue burdening him with the additional responsibility of handling police paperwork and other duties for Marenisco.
Moreover, said Mahler, “A lot of people are asking when we’ll have someone.”
The township already advertised for a police chief last year, but board members were not able to agree on a suitable applicant at that time.
In other news, board members also:
—Voted to accept a Gogebic County Road Commission bid for $123,427 for various 2021 road projects. “Our share of that will be $74,000,” said Mahler.
—Voted to commit $2,200 toward the purchase of a new water softener system for the Lake Gogebic Fire Department. Mark McConley of the LGFD said that if the cost exceeds that amount, the fire department will cover the balance. A second vote approved the department’s purchase of a UTV vehicle and trailer with the help of an already issued U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development grant.
—Voted to hire Bill Aili of the Lake Gogebic area as township assessor. Aili will undergo training to replace Roman Tauer, who is retiring.
—Voted to authorize Mahler to reappoint Sally Hagen, Teresa Stanfield and Karen Wilke to the Planning Commission.
—Voted to okay an amendment to union rules, allowing the township’s public works employees to switch from five eight-hour shifts to four 10-hour shifts during the period from May 1 to Sept. 30. Workers will stagger Monday-Thursday and Tuesday-Friday shifts so that all weekdays are covered. Moreover, added Public Works Lead Dean Hand, “We’re always on 24-hour call.”
—Voted to post two full-time Public Works positions for the summer months. Hand said one is needed for grass-cutting and one for weed work.
—Voted to approve the cost of about $50 a week to hire Evelyn Gunderman to help Lori Ryskey with preparation of weekly senior lunches, which have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.
—Voted to approve a new schedule of permit fees that Mahler said includes only some minor increases that put the township “in line with other townships.”
—Voted to approve the final draft of the township’s master plan. Mahler said the plan now must undergo a 63-day review period, followed by a public hearing and a final ratification. He said few major changes were made, citing updates in the former Ojibway Correctional Facility site, the Waters of Superior operation, and census information.
A public hearing on the township’s next fiscal year budget will take place on March 31 at 6 p.m. in the town hall.
The board’s next regular meeting will be on April 20 at 6 p.m. in the town hall. The Tuesday reorganizational session will break the board’s usual pattern of meeting on the third Monday of each month.
