By Phyllis Rose
Retiring Schoolcraft Township Clerk Virginia Mongrieg was honored at the township board meeting on November 12. Mongrieg served as township clerk for 20 years but has been employed by the Township for 23 years.
“She has done a whale of a job,” said Township Supervisor Don Ulsh. “We hate to see her go and wish her well.”
The Board presented her with a plaque in honor of her service to the Township.
“It will be hard,” said Mongrieg, dabbing at tears. “I’ve kind of taken ownership of the Township. I like our wide-open spaces. I love it here.”
She then proceeded with her official duty of swearing in the newly elected clerk, Eska Brown, who has been with the Township for 15 years.
Other members of the Board, all incumbents, were also sworn in, including Jennifer Sportel, who had been filling the seat left vacant by the resignation of Steve Fryling in January. Sportel was elected to the seat in the November 5 election.
In business items, the Board discussed enacting a policy that would waive fees for rezoning split zone parcels. About 78 parcels that would be affected, reported Treasurer Teresa Scott.
The issue is that some homeowners’ parcels are in two different zones which prohibits them at times from making changes or adding something to their property, she explained. For example, part of the property might be zoned rural residential and the other part commercial.
“Some people want to rezone their property so they can do what they want,” she said. “It’s not their fault they have these problems.” She cited the example of one homeowner who wants to have horses on his property but it is not zoned for it.
Scott recommended that the $2,500 cost of rezoning the property be absorbed by the Township.
Following the discussion, the Board voted to have their attorney come up with the wording for a proposal for them to vote on at a later date.
The Board also voted to approve the definition of a fence, an amendment to the zoning ordinance. “The Planning Commission has spent a lot of time on this,” said Trustee Tamra Stafford, the Board’s representative on the commission.
The amendment to Article 2 of the Zoning Ordinance defines a fence as “a barrier, railing, or other upright assembly enclosing an area that serves as an enclosure or screening, or to mark a boundary, control access, or prevent escape.”
Article 22.1 of the ordinance was amended to read, “Any fence constructed within the required setback shall be constructed from traditional materials made for fencing and typically sold through retail outlets.”
Reporting from the South Kalamazoo County Fire Authority, Ulsh said that Tracy Locey, president of the authority’s board, has retired. The board will likely be choosing new officers. He also noted increasing discontent with actions of the authority.
During member time, Mongrieg reported on some issues in the park, noting that some people were going into the restrooms, plugging up the toilets, locking stall doors and then crawling out under the doors. Also, empty alcoholic-beverage containers have been found in the park.
Trustee Stafford reported on the Senior Center located at the Vicksburg United Methodist Church, 217 S. Main St. Activities available for area seniors include yoga, cardio-drumming, arts and crafts.
“It’s developing and will evolve over time,” she said.
More information about the Senior Center can be found at the website for South County Community Services at southcountycs.com, she said.
Reporting on the recent election, Mongrieg said that 72.4 percent of voters participated, just short of the results in 2020.
“Those election problems you’re reading about did not happen here,” she said. “The polls were very busy but there were no challenges.”
Newly sworn-in clerk, Eska Brown noted that some voters came to vote having gotten a reminder on textmygov.com. This program, approved by the Board in April, allows residents to receive text alerts, respond to a text, ask a question, or report an issue.
Treasurer Scott updated the board on efforts to serve two homeowners with notices of violations. One homeowner has been served and the 90-day period to rectify the problems will soon be expiring.
Attempts to serve the second homeowner have not been successful. Scott said she’ll be looking into the legalities of what can be done in the situation.
Following adjournment, Board members and attendees enjoyed a cake in honor of Mongrieg’s retirement.
In a follow-up comment, Mongrieg said, “I have always known ‘old’ Schoolcraft constituents, but over the years I have met and made friends with many kind-hearted fine folks in Vicksburg and the surrounding township. I wish them all well and thank them for their support over the years.”
