By Bruce Rolfe
The Climax Township Board will continue to review the Earned Sick Time Act before taking action on how the new law will impact Climax Township.
Climax Township Clerk Sarah DeBoer reviewed the ESTA, which took effect February 11, 2025, at the township board’s regular meeting May 13.
The ESTA is for Michigan businesses with over 10 employees.
Under the new act Michigan employees can now accrue a minimum of one hour of paid earned sick time for every 30 hours worked but shall not be entitled to more than 72 hours of paid earned sick time per year, unless the employer selects a higher limit. Earned sick time must be paid at a pay rate equal to the greater of either an employee’s normal hourly wage or base wage, or the Michigan minimum wage rate then in effect.
DeBoer said the ESTA only applies to Climax Township firefighters, election workers and possibly two deputies.
Township Supervisor Trent Piper recommended a policy be created that employees be paid on an accrual basis, with firefighters being paid at the end of the year.
The Board authorized DeBoer to attend a June 10 workshop in Jackson on the new Act and report back to the Township Board how the Act will impact the Township moving forward.
Summer Trash Pickup Scheduled for July 12
The Climax Township Board unanimously approved a contract with Best Way for a 30-yard dumpster in the amount of $675 for the summer trash drop off. The summer trash drop off is for township residents and will be held Saturday, July 12 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the parking lot at Climax-Scotts High School pending approval the high school parking lot is available. The Climax Township Hall will be a backup site if the high school parking lot cannot be used.
Climax Township Fire Department Report
Climax Township Fire Chief Scott Smith said there were 17 calls for service in April including eight medical calls, two dispatched and cancelled enroute, three structure fires, three grass fires and one personal accident with injuries. Of those calls seven calls for mutual aid provided and one was a mutual aid received call.
He said calls for service has picked up in May with the department responding to 14 calls for service as of May 13.
Smith reports Jenna Audette resigned as a firefighter effective April 1, leaving the local fire department with 15 firefighters.
Other items covered at the May 13 meeting:
• There was a general consensus to allow the Climax Rotary Club and Bill and Marcia Lewis to place flags in the township’s two cemeteries for Memorial Day.
A representative from the Wakeshma Community Church, 16732 East UV Avenue, Fulton, approached the Township Board about having a township fire truck and firefighters available to assist with the church’s Adventure Camp Friday, August 1 at noon until approximately 1 p.m.
The representative, who said 128 kids have already signed up, asked if the fire department could provide water for a slip and slide activity as well as provide information about the fire truck. It was noted this would be a good community outreach opportunity.
The representative said the church expects to have an alternative resource for water if the fire department cannot attend the event or gets called out during the event.
Fire Chief Scott Smith said he will discuss the request with firefighters for scheduling and the item will be considered under old business at the June township board meeting.
• The Township Board unanimously approved a fire department budget amendment for three items in the Fire Department budget. The board approved a budget amendment to increase the Fire Department Fire Truck Maintenance budget $3,000.00 from $7,000 to $10,000.00 due to increased truck maintenance costs; removing the money from the Fire Department Miscellaneous Budget which will decrease from $7,000 to $3,895; and increase fire department membership dues from $100 to $205.
• The Board will not participate in the Memorial Day parade this year.
The Climax Township Board will continue to review the Earned Sick Time Act before taking action on how the new law will impact Climax Township.
Climax Township Clerk Sarah DeBoer reviewed the ESTA, which took effect February 11, 2025, at the township board’s regular meeting May 13.
The ESTA is for Michigan businesses with over 10 employees.
Under the new act Michigan employees can now accrue a minimum of one hour of paid earned sick time for every 30 hours worked but shall not be entitled to more than 72 hours of paid earned sick time per year, unless the employer selects a higher limit. Earned sick time must be paid at a pay rate equal to the greater of either an employee’s normal hourly wage or base wage, or the Michigan minimum wage rate then in effect.
DeBoer said the ESTA only applies to Climax Township firefighters, election workers and possibly two deputies.
Township Supervisor Trent Piper recommended a policy be created that employees be paid on an accrual basis, with firefighters being paid at the end of the year.
The Board authorized DeBoer to attend a June 10 workshop in Jackson on the new Act and report back to the Township Board how the Act will impact the Township moving forward.
Summer Trash Pickup Scheduled for July 12
The Climax Township Board unanimously approved a contract with Best Way for a 30-yard dumpster in the amount of $675 for the summer trash drop off. The summer trash drop off is for township residents and will be held Saturday, July 12 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the parking lot at Climax-Scotts High School pending approval the high school parking lot is available. The Climax Township Hall will be a backup site if the high school parking lot cannot be used.
Climax Township Fire Department Report
Climax Township Fire Chief Scott Smith said there were 17 calls for service in April including eight medical calls, two dispatched and cancelled enroute, three structure fires, three grass fires and one personal accident with injuries. Of those calls seven calls for mutual aid provided and one was a mutual aid received call.
He said calls for service has picked up in May with the department responding to 14 calls for service as of May 13.
Smith reports Jenna Audette resigned as a firefighter effective April 1, leaving the local fire department with 15 firefighters.
Other items covered at the May 13 meeting:
• There was a general consensus to allow the Climax Rotary Club and Bill and Marcia Lewis to place flags in the township’s two cemeteries for Memorial Day.
A representative from the Wakeshma Community Church, 16732 East UV Avenue, Fulton, approached the Township Board about having a township fire truck and firefighters available to assist with the church’s Adventure Camp Friday, August 1 at noon until approximately 1 p.m.
The representative, who said 128 kids have already signed up, asked if the fire department could provide water for a slip and slide activity as well as provide information about the fire truck. It was noted this would be a good community outreach opportunity.
The representative said the church expects to have an alternative resource for water if the fire department cannot attend the event or gets called out during the event.
Fire Chief Scott Smith said he will discuss the request with firefighters for scheduling and the item will be considered under old business at the June township board meeting.
• The Township Board unanimously approved a fire department budget amendment for three items in the Fire Department budget. The board approved a budget amendment to increase the Fire Department Fire Truck Maintenance budget $3,000.00 from $7,000 to $10,000.00 due to increased truck maintenance costs; removing the money from the Fire Department Miscellaneous Budget which will decrease from $7,000 to $3,895; and increase fire department membership dues from $100 to $205.
• The Board will not participate in the Memorial Day parade this year.
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