Longtime Climax Township Clerk Marcia Lewis, and her husband, Deputy Clerk Bill Lewis, were recognized following the November 12 Climax Township regular meeting. Pictured are (left to right) trustee Cheryl Bates, Planning Commission Vice-Chairman Joel Amos, trustee Richard Thierjung, Clerk Elect Sarah DeBoer, Marcia Lewis, Bill Lewis, Treasurer Steve Walman, and supervisor Trent Piper.
The Climax Township Board presented framed certificates of appreciation to Clerk Marcia Lewis and her husband Deputy Clerk Bill Lewis for their service to the township over the years at the November 12 regular Climax Township Board meeting.
Lewis became deputy clerk in 2004, and then clerk in 2007 and eventually named her husband deputy clerk. She decided not to run for re-election in November.
Climax Township Supervisor Trent Piper said the couple’s knowledge of the township, elections and how local government works, is something that will be missed.
“It’s been a privilege to work with you folks, and an honor. Thank you to what you’ve done for Climax Township,” said Piper.
The other three members of the township board also expressed gratitude for the years of service both Marcia and her husband have offered.
“I have worked with these folks, especially Marcia for 12 years, and they are a class act. This township has been run very well, in these last 20 years since you’ve been present. I’m sure it’s going to continue with your great training and our new employee coming on board. You will be missed dearly and I really did appreciate working with both of you,” said township board Treasurer Steve Walman.
“I’d like to thank you for the four years that I’ve been here. You’ve welcomed me into this group and I appreciate that. I’ve learned a lot from you and Bill,” adds trustee Cheryl Bates.
“It’s been a wonderful experience. You have shown that being a public servant, is what it really is. You have been there, both, you and Bill. It’s been a pleasure working with you,” adds trustee Richard Thierjung.
Sarah DeBoer won the August primary and was elected to the clerk position in the November 5 general election. November 20, at 12:01 p.m. will be the end of Lewis’ term.
Heavy Demand for Calls for Service for Fire Department in October
Climax Township Fire Chief Scott Smith said there were 35 calls for the month of October, the largest volume of calls for service the local fire department has had in one month this year. The break down was 24 EMS calls, four dispatches cancelled enroute, two structure fires, two rescue standbys, two false alarms, one no incident found, one mutual aid provided and five mutual aid received.
He said the local fire department has already responded to 232 calls for service as of November 12.
The Board approved the Kalamazoo Valley Intergovernmental Ambulance Agreement, an agreement between fire departments in the county and the ambulance service provider to help ensure efficient response times when there are emergencies. Smith said Life EMS will have response times they are expected to meet. If the response times are not met, the ambulance provider will pay a fine. The fine money goes to KVIAA and is distributed to the local fire department where the response time was not met. There is no cost to the township for signing the agreement.
The local fire department was awarded a Risk Reduction Grant for $2000. The fire department plans to use the money towards the new fire truck that was purchased recently. The new fire truck chassis has been delivered to the fire department. Smith said measurements have been taken and the box is expected to be installed some time early in 2025.
The Board unanimously approved an application for employment as a probationary firefighter for Nathan Clark. He already has Firefighter 1 and 2 training so no training costs will be required.
In other items covered at the November 12 meeting:
• Lieutenant Mike Dziedzic of the Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department and the liaison to the Township Board, was introduced. He updated the board and audience of some activity that has occurred in the area. He said with Christmas approaching, the Sheriff Department reminds the public to be aware of a safe place to have packages delivered to. He said tracking the shipping for arrival time, having the items delivered to a work place or having a friend pick the packages up are some options to consider.
Lieutenant Dziedzic also notes phone scams are picking up. He said one scam involves the caller identifying as a member of the Kalamazoo County Sheriff Deputy requesting bond money be sent to the jail. He said the Sheriff Department will never make phone calls asking for a payment to be made over the phone.
• Planning Commission member Joel Amos said the Planning Commission elected new officers for the 2025 year. Dixon Brubaker was elected chairman, Amos vice-chair, and Rene Brubaker secretary.
Amos said the Planning Commission discussed placement location for accessory buildings and a public hearing on the issue was held November 18.
• The Township Board unanimously re-pointed Joel Amos as a Lawrence Memorial District Library Board member for a four-year term from December 31, 2024 to December 31, 2028.
• Clerk Marcia Lewis provided previous and current voter numbers. She informed the board and audience in the 2016 General Election there were 1,770 registered voters in Climax Township and 1235 voted (69 percent turnout). In 2020 there were 1876 registered voters and 1387 voted in the General Election. In the 2024 General Election there were 1985 registered voters. Of those registered voters, 824 voted in the precinct, 523 voted absentee, and 122 participated in early voting.
• The Township Board unanimously approved to register new Clerk Elect Sarah DeBoer to attend a December 12 Michigan Township Association training seminar for new clerks in Kalamazoo.
• The Township Board approved a proposal in the amount of $5,142.20 from DJL Dirtworkx to apply new gravel in the Harrison Cemetery driveway, which is currently a two-track driveway. ARPA funds will be used for the project.
• The Township Board will continue to review columbarium rates.
• The Township Board unanimously approved (4-0, Clerk Marcia Lewis did not participate in the discussion because of conflict of interest) a proposal from Lewis Tree Management in the amount of $4,000 to remove a tree in Gilson Cemetery.
• The Township Board unanimously approved (4-0, Trent Piper, the owner of the Groundskeeper, did not participate in the conversation or vote at the table) a two-year contract with the Groundskeeper for janitorial services at the township hall with an increase of $25 a month to $150 a month.
• The Township Board unanimously approved a two-year contract with the Groundskeeper (4-0, Trent Piper, the owner of the Groundskeeper, did not participate in the conversation or vote at the table) for lawn mowing services at the Township Hall for the same rate in the previous contract of $45 per mow on a weekly basis, and a rate of $50 per man hour (an increase of $10 per hour) for leaf and debris pickup.
Also included in the approved motion was a contract for lawn mowing at the fire station every two weeks at $35 per mow, an increase of $5 over the contract for 2023-2024. The approved contract also calls for gutter cleaning services at the township fire station at a cost of $250, an increase of $50 from the previous contract.
• The Township Board unanimously approved hiring outgoing Clerk Marcia Lewis to assist in a training capacity during the transition period for the new clerk and deputy clerk with the length of time to be determined by the board and new clerk as an employee at a rate of $25 per hour, commencing when the new clark is sworn into office November 20.
Lewis became deputy clerk in 2004, and then clerk in 2007 and eventually named her husband deputy clerk. She decided not to run for re-election in November.
Climax Township Supervisor Trent Piper said the couple’s knowledge of the township, elections and how local government works, is something that will be missed.
“It’s been a privilege to work with you folks, and an honor. Thank you to what you’ve done for Climax Township,” said Piper.
The other three members of the township board also expressed gratitude for the years of service both Marcia and her husband have offered.
“I have worked with these folks, especially Marcia for 12 years, and they are a class act. This township has been run very well, in these last 20 years since you’ve been present. I’m sure it’s going to continue with your great training and our new employee coming on board. You will be missed dearly and I really did appreciate working with both of you,” said township board Treasurer Steve Walman.
“I’d like to thank you for the four years that I’ve been here. You’ve welcomed me into this group and I appreciate that. I’ve learned a lot from you and Bill,” adds trustee Cheryl Bates.
“It’s been a wonderful experience. You have shown that being a public servant, is what it really is. You have been there, both, you and Bill. It’s been a pleasure working with you,” adds trustee Richard Thierjung.
Sarah DeBoer won the August primary and was elected to the clerk position in the November 5 general election. November 20, at 12:01 p.m. will be the end of Lewis’ term.
Heavy Demand for Calls for Service for Fire Department in October
Climax Township Fire Chief Scott Smith said there were 35 calls for the month of October, the largest volume of calls for service the local fire department has had in one month this year. The break down was 24 EMS calls, four dispatches cancelled enroute, two structure fires, two rescue standbys, two false alarms, one no incident found, one mutual aid provided and five mutual aid received.
He said the local fire department has already responded to 232 calls for service as of November 12.
The Board approved the Kalamazoo Valley Intergovernmental Ambulance Agreement, an agreement between fire departments in the county and the ambulance service provider to help ensure efficient response times when there are emergencies. Smith said Life EMS will have response times they are expected to meet. If the response times are not met, the ambulance provider will pay a fine. The fine money goes to KVIAA and is distributed to the local fire department where the response time was not met. There is no cost to the township for signing the agreement.
The local fire department was awarded a Risk Reduction Grant for $2000. The fire department plans to use the money towards the new fire truck that was purchased recently. The new fire truck chassis has been delivered to the fire department. Smith said measurements have been taken and the box is expected to be installed some time early in 2025.
The Board unanimously approved an application for employment as a probationary firefighter for Nathan Clark. He already has Firefighter 1 and 2 training so no training costs will be required.
In other items covered at the November 12 meeting:
• Lieutenant Mike Dziedzic of the Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department and the liaison to the Township Board, was introduced. He updated the board and audience of some activity that has occurred in the area. He said with Christmas approaching, the Sheriff Department reminds the public to be aware of a safe place to have packages delivered to. He said tracking the shipping for arrival time, having the items delivered to a work place or having a friend pick the packages up are some options to consider.
Lieutenant Dziedzic also notes phone scams are picking up. He said one scam involves the caller identifying as a member of the Kalamazoo County Sheriff Deputy requesting bond money be sent to the jail. He said the Sheriff Department will never make phone calls asking for a payment to be made over the phone.
• Planning Commission member Joel Amos said the Planning Commission elected new officers for the 2025 year. Dixon Brubaker was elected chairman, Amos vice-chair, and Rene Brubaker secretary.
Amos said the Planning Commission discussed placement location for accessory buildings and a public hearing on the issue was held November 18.
• The Township Board unanimously re-pointed Joel Amos as a Lawrence Memorial District Library Board member for a four-year term from December 31, 2024 to December 31, 2028.
• Clerk Marcia Lewis provided previous and current voter numbers. She informed the board and audience in the 2016 General Election there were 1,770 registered voters in Climax Township and 1235 voted (69 percent turnout). In 2020 there were 1876 registered voters and 1387 voted in the General Election. In the 2024 General Election there were 1985 registered voters. Of those registered voters, 824 voted in the precinct, 523 voted absentee, and 122 participated in early voting.
• The Township Board unanimously approved to register new Clerk Elect Sarah DeBoer to attend a December 12 Michigan Township Association training seminar for new clerks in Kalamazoo.
• The Township Board approved a proposal in the amount of $5,142.20 from DJL Dirtworkx to apply new gravel in the Harrison Cemetery driveway, which is currently a two-track driveway. ARPA funds will be used for the project.
• The Township Board will continue to review columbarium rates.
• The Township Board unanimously approved (4-0, Clerk Marcia Lewis did not participate in the discussion because of conflict of interest) a proposal from Lewis Tree Management in the amount of $4,000 to remove a tree in Gilson Cemetery.
• The Township Board unanimously approved (4-0, Trent Piper, the owner of the Groundskeeper, did not participate in the conversation or vote at the table) a two-year contract with the Groundskeeper for janitorial services at the township hall with an increase of $25 a month to $150 a month.
• The Township Board unanimously approved a two-year contract with the Groundskeeper (4-0, Trent Piper, the owner of the Groundskeeper, did not participate in the conversation or vote at the table) for lawn mowing services at the Township Hall for the same rate in the previous contract of $45 per mow on a weekly basis, and a rate of $50 per man hour (an increase of $10 per hour) for leaf and debris pickup.
Also included in the approved motion was a contract for lawn mowing at the fire station every two weeks at $35 per mow, an increase of $5 over the contract for 2023-2024. The approved contract also calls for gutter cleaning services at the township fire station at a cost of $250, an increase of $50 from the previous contract.
• The Township Board unanimously approved hiring outgoing Clerk Marcia Lewis to assist in a training capacity during the transition period for the new clerk and deputy clerk with the length of time to be determined by the board and new clerk as an employee at a rate of $25 per hour, commencing when the new clark is sworn into office November 20.
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