Free Narrative Essays: The Scio Township Hall

The Scio Township Hall was nearly silent when I entered. There were only a man and a woman sitting at a table on the one side of the meeting room. I was about to ask if I was in the right place, but before I could open my mouth, the woman greeted me and introduced herself as a member of the Land Preservation Commission (LPC). One by one, other commissioners started to trickle in, smoothly joining in on the conversation about ordinances presented at the Board meeting a few days prior. I wondered if I was supposed to just catch on. After a solid twenty minutes of casual talk, Alec Jerome, the Land chair, finally called to order. Roll call was conducted and the following commissioners were present: Archer Christian (secretary), Jim Crowfoot, Alec Jerome, David Read, and Barry Lonik (consultant to Commission), and one relatively new member. Apologies were received from Leslie Desmond and Bruce Manny. I was the only member of the public in attendance. Then the agenda was adopted and the May meeting minutes were approved.
Next, township boards and commission reports were presented. From the Board of Trustees (Read), LPC was seeking additional possible members for the Commission. John Knott, an English professor at the University of Michigan had volunteered. Also, a
local farmer’s wife was going to be contacted for possible interest. From the Planning Commission (Jerome), the informal review of the Smith Application, a plan to extend property and a water line, was reported. The Blue Beacon Application was also brought up, as there is action being taken to approve the SP 5248 Blue Beacon truck wash expansion at 98 Baker Road. Finally, the Commission noted that Mr. Rinchen bought 12,000 acres of farmland from Mr. and Mrs. White.
The Commission then conducted the open session. An important issue of discussion was about adopting a proposed Scio ordinance prohibiting the use of coal-tar-based sealer products. Coal-tar sealant is often used for paving driveways and playgrounds as it is cheap and easy to apply. It can also be used quite flexibly as it is useful in both shoulder seasons around summer. However, it is a potent source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are are carcinogenic to humans and toxic to native organisms. Read and Lonik asserted that ordinance had recently been passed; yet, whether or not people would actually listen was another matter. Now the commission needs to contact asphalt companies as well as local home improvement stores like Lowe’s and Menard's.
Another topic in the open session was about proposed changes to the natural preservation projects. The Township is planning on buying land from the Vanderhaeghens- two separate purchases from two family members. The purchase was delayed as the Parks Commission established a policy to not accept new proposals until the guidelines are properly laid out, but it has finally been passed and will be closed by June 30.
The Commission proceeded to talk about member recognition opportunities.
Desmond was going to leave in July and previous members had not been recognized. Jerome suggested a 5” by 7” ($50) or 5” by 10” ($60) engraved glass plaque with the member’s name and contributions and/or positions held. One commissioner asked if these plaques would be set up in the Township Hall for the public to view. The Commission decided that they may do this later, but for now they need to take immediate action to recognized individuals with personal plaques. They consented to look into the less bulky 5” by 7” plaques and recognize Desmond in the second half of the next meeting, so people could comfortably hang around and
chat. Later, in the closed session, pending property evaluations and applications were discussed. Afterwards, no new business was reported. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Scio LPC is Thursday, July 21, 2016. All commissioners present are likely able to attend this meeting. The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 4:50 PM.