In Response to the Board Request
As with Mullett Township’s history and its present existence;
its future growth will depend on a conscientious stewardship of Mullett Lake
and the surrounding land. As part of the Inland Lakes, Mullett Lake is a world
class recreational resource that will be challenged by future residential
growth and growing recreational use. I thank each person in advance who takes
the time to read this manifesto.
Topinabee Area infrastructure Priorities-
1.
A sanitary sewer system to accommodate existing
and future residential and commercial growth within the Lake and Stream Zoning,
areas of Village Center adjacent to the M-27 corridor and all developed areas within
500 feet of the shores of Mullett Lake. The trend to very large cottages, use of
cottages for year round residences, and the desire expressed by Township and
County plans to encourage zero lot lines in mixed commercial/residential
neighborhoods drives this need for a sanitary waste system to preserve the future
water quality of Mullett Lake. This infrastructure improvement should encompass
at minimum, the developed areas of the west Mullett Lake shore from Grandview
Beach north to Long Point. The Mullett Township Board and local organized
non-profit community groups including MAPS and the TDA should recognize this as
the number one infrastructure priority to assure the future development of
Topinabee while preserving the water quality of Mullett Lake.
2.
A timely development of the boat launch at the Woodruff
St road end. This development should include a permanent pre-cast concrete
modular ramp, a steel and timber DNR style skid pier to minimize annual
maintenance costs, installed on south side of ramp for visibility, and
allowance for off-street parking. The Mullett Board will need to work toward an
agreement with both the DNR and MDOT to accommodate boat trailer parking in the
immediate area. All parties should be cognizant that gravel or other hard
surface parking area, designed to eliminate run-off into Mullett Lake, will be
both environmentally advantageous and eliminate or greatly reduce unsafe shoulder
parking on M27.
3.
Paving of existing gravel streets in the Village
of Topinabee to minimize silt run-off and provide an environment that
encourages local pedestrian and bike transportation. These street improvements
should encompass a practice similar to the “Scenic Roads”, encouraging narrower
right of ways, preservation of trees, and bio-swales to contain storm run-off
where it originates and eliminate downhill storm water flows at the source.
4.
Paved walkways or sidewalks extending from North
Straits highway 1 to 2 blocks up the hill on one side of Numbers Rd, Topinabee
Mail Route, Portage St and St, and Beeson St. These walkways will further
encourage pedestrian traffic from existing and future residential growth areas on
the hill to the M27 Village center. These walkways would join a sidewalk
adjacent to the west side of M27 serving the Village center commercial area
from the Topinabee Mail Route north to Beeson St. The east side of M27, with
limited commercial services, can be accessed by pedestrians via the Trail and less
extensive walkways.
5.
Staged development of Block 5 at the south
entrance to Topinabee as a “Gateway Park” adjacent to the Trail. This park area
can accommodate green areas, benches and picnic tables and possibly seasonal
restrooms. It is contiguous to the Trail and can encourage use of the
Sutherland Rd end for public access to Mullett Lake. A limited number of
vehicle/RV parking spaces will help disperse vehicle parking away from the
Village Center and will encourage walking through the community.
6.
Block “C”, north of Topinabee, with no apparent
room for parking may not be developable for the public’s recreational access to
Mullett Lake. It presently serves only
as a neighbor’s over-flow parking lot. Perhaps it could be swapped for another
lake shore parcel better suited for public use. The parcel directly north of
the Sutherland Rd end, owned by the Mattus family, would be a potential trade.
They would gain a larger more private lot; Mullett Township would gain a parcel
adjacent to Block 5 unencumbered by possible road end litigation suitable for a
mini-park.
7.
M27 is a state highway and Mullett Township Board
should minimize spending local tax dollars on cosmetic “Streetscape”
improvements to the M27 corridor that ignore the real needs of the community. Recently
completed local “Streetscapes” in Cheboygan, Pellston, and Onaway have proven
that they neither drive development nor attract visitors. Additional parking
lots in the Topinabee village center to accommodate more vehicles will not make
a more walkable community nor will it preserve the unique historical character
and charm of Topinabee.
8.
The Topinabee Public Library location in the
former MCRR depot serves the community well. It is convenient to M27, the
Trail, and central to the commercial Village center and should remain where it
is. The long proposed Library move to the former Topinabee Public School should
be abandoned. The former depot has found its best use at this time; serving
locals and visitors in a historic setting while assuring the Depot does not
become an empty and static monument to our past. The concept of a local museum
has been proven not viable here and in other small communities. With a future
that has less volunteerism; a stand-alone museum in the Depot, with or without
a proposed ice cream stand as shown in the TDA Master Plan, is simply not
viable for a community of our size.
9.
The former Topinabee School building,
playground, tennis court and ball field is a valuable public resource and the
Board and community members should fully investigate any and all possible uses
that will serve the community now and in the future. The possible uses for this
facility are innumerable and could include a community cultural and arts center,
used for performances, shows and presentations, and a meeting hall for clubs,
community groups and non-profits. Look to other communities for examples of
community use of historic buildings.
Creating a flexible use building and grounds will better serve all
members of the community.
10.
The recent expenditures on exterior paint,
gables siding, roof repairs, flooring, Fire Hall improvements and lighting
up-grades to the exterior and scheduled up-grades to interior lighting of the
Township Hall were all justifiable capital expenditures. The Board should be
commended for spending wisely and resisting the pressure to expend funds for
themed facades designed by firms hired by private interest groups that
allegedly offer aesthetic “advantages”.
11.
The changes
to the Beach Front Park may be a good opportunity to improve safety and address
health issue at the park and adjacent grounds. There is an immediate need for
installation of “sharps” receptacles within the public restrooms. A growing
diabetic population needs a safe disposal method for used syringes. These are
otherwise disposed of in the trash presenting a biohazard to employees and
public or “flushed” in the toilet.
12.
Numerous
people have recognized the need for a “doggy rest area” in Topinabee.
Observation of dog walkers living on Lakeshore Drive, other near areas, and
even boaters with their dogs use the Trail and the Park area as a doggy
restroom. Only a very few pick up their dog’s feces. The fenced area
immediately south of the restrooms can be converted at low cost to serve this
need. Provide a sign identifying it as a “dog rest area”, with rules posted, a
gate, some gravel area, a dispenser for bags, (bags cost under $30 per 1000)
and a waste receptacle.
13.
Although
last, this is by no means a lesser priority. I advised by email the previous
Board of the imminent safety hazard presented by a “swim” dock. The present
Parks Committee has designed a new park around the position of two seasonal
docks. They have left a “swim” dock within the design. Providing a swim dock,
tacitly providing a “diving area” where there is an unknown water depth is a
potential, nay, imminent liability issue for Mullett Township. Most standards
refer to 2.5 meters or more than 8 feet as a minimum safe dive depth. The other
issue created by the swim dock is the bird droppings left there almost every
summer day. If it has not rained heavily overnight, children and other users
are exposed to bird droppings each day. In addition to the “yuck” factor
that brings negative comments and causes visitors to go to other local beaches,
the droppings are associated with known health risks including bacterial: e-coli; salmonella, listeriosis,
campylobacter, psittacosis; fungal: histoplasmosis,
cryptococcosis, candidiasis; viral: meningitis,
Newcastle disease; and parasitic: Protozoal:
toxoplasmosis, trichomoniasis. Scrubbing down or washing off the swim
dock simply flushes all of the bird feces and these problems directly into the
very water our children play in. I am a swimmer, but the swim dock is an
anachronism that has been identified as a serious risk to public safety and
health and should be removed.
West Mullett Township Infrastructure Priorities-
1.
Growth and any infrastructure improvements beyond
Topinabee should recognize that lakeshore residents and rural acreage owners
were drawn to the area by the existing character of the land and the natural
environment. They did not choose this area because of what wasn’t here.
Although some limited commercial growth on the M27 corridor is inevitable,
Mullett Township should encourage the continued mix of agriculture, forestry
and low impact residential acreages that exist today.
East Mullett Township Infrastructure Priorities -
1.
The East side of Mullett Lake shares many of the
same attributes as the west side, but has a greater potential for recreational development
that will serve residents and visitors and encourage future growth. The continued
development of the Boy Scout Park property will serve many. It has been a
“local” secret for too long and has room to accommodate many users. The
contiguous publicly owned Cheboygan County, State of Michigan and Mullett
Township holdings have over ½ mile of frontage on Mullett Lake and total almost
140 acres. Trail development on the East
Side of Mullett Lake can originate here with nature trails throughout the combined
properties. This park would ideally remain a largely undeveloped nature reserve
where native flora and fauna survive and dark skies invite star gazers. The
combined acreage does have the potential for a community park offering limited
camping for organized groups and individuals. With three contiguous publicly owned
properties, the potential for cooperation and development grants and funding
from outside sources is very favorable. The Board should recognize this huge
potential for grants and utilize Mullett taxpayer funds for matching funds only
on any future development of the park.
2.
The East Mullett Fire Hall, apparently used
informally by private parties for functions should be made available for rental
to all Township residents at a nominal cost. An earlier recommendation to
provide outside, 24 hour Wi-Fi access at this locale is still recommended. Providing
this Wi-Fi access recognizes that East Mullett residents contribute equally to
the Topinabee Library costs, but cannot take advantage of its services without
a 40 mile round-trip. I am sure there are many seasonal and year-round East
Mullett residents without internet service who would appreciate this service.
Township Wide Practices, Initiatives,
Legislation and Policies
1.
A priority for the Mullett Board should be the
adoption of a formal procurement and competitive bid policy. As elected
officials, your fiduciary responsibility requires taxpayer funds be spent wisely
and solely based on need, qualification, and cost. Township snow-plowing,
landscape and grass-cutting, dock install/removal, building
maintenance/cleaning, and other services presently done by employees or
non-contract workers should be evaluated individually, tasks defined, and
schedules determined. After these tasks and services have been fully defined, the
Board must determine whether these and other services should be done by a
Township employee(s) or contracted out and competitive bids solicited.
2.
The Mullett Township Board is an employer, and
within your fiduciary duty must provide oversight of Township employees. There
has been little or no supervision to assure tasks and duties are performed in a
timely manner or at all. The Board also
needs to develop formal written job descriptions for all employees including
maintenance employee(s), Library employees, Constable, and the Deputy Clerk and
Deputy Treasurer. The job descriptions may be generic, but specificity is
preferred and should include the terminology, “and, other tasks as assigned” to
fully cover any undefined tasks. Each employee should acknowledge and sign off
on their job description.
3.
Mullett Township Meetings should fully comply
with not only the letter of the law, but the intention of the law. Special
meetings, with their extra incurred costs and inconvenience to the public
wishing to attend should be kept to a minimum. A published meeting agenda serves
notice to the public and allows them to determine if their attendance is
warranted. I would recommend that the Board make full use of the “Official”
Mullett Township website to publish at no cost a proposed agenda at least 7
days in advance of a Township Meeting. Every public meeting should have a
sign-in sheet for attendees. Meetings should follow some recognized format
including, Call to Order, Pledge of Allegiance, Approval of Agenda, Approval of
Previous Minutes, Open to the Public, Unfinished Business, New Business,
Consent Items (Previously discussed item needing only vote), Board Reports,
Public Comments, Approval to pay Bills and Adjournment. Motions, Resolutions, Ordinances,
Policies and other decisions before the Board should be measured and
methodical. Items should typically be introduced, discussed; and if needed,
tabled to a future meeting to allow each Board member to make an informed
independent decision. There is a reason why there are five Board members. Your
decisions are democratic decisions and obviously do not need to be unanimous
decisions.
4.
If the Topinabee Library is a community asset,
then it requires protection and must be in compliance with the law. The present
Library Board consisting of six members including the five Mullett Board
members apparently operates under a law that was repealed in 1968. There is
presently no legally elected Library Board or operating millage. I recommend
the Mullett Township Board immediately move to determine a millage needed to
maintain present services and seek voter approval for same. The Board must also
establish an elected 5 member Library Board under Michigan Law responsible for
oversight of the Topinabee Library. If you agree the Topinabee Library is truly
an important Mullett Township asset, it cannot continue to be funded and
operated solely at the whim and fancy of a Mullett Board.
5.
As with a Library, our Parks and Recreation
facilities should be protected within the law. Formation of a Mullett Township
Parks and Recreation Commission, consisting of 5 duly elected citizens with a
dedicate Parks millage. This will allow those people most interested in Parks
and Recreation to gather public input, provide guidance for future recreational
growth, and effectively manage our recreational assets within a Mullett Board approved
budget.
6.
The policy of previous Mullett Township Boards
developing and improving rural roads that serves a few, if any Mullett
residents and sometimes built despite protests of adjacent residents must stop.
Mullett Township growth will not be fueled by wasting taxpayer funds. After
spending almost $1,000,000 over the past decade, building roads to nowhere,
there does not appear to be any new homes built on Bennett Rd, South Extension,
Quail Trail, or any other road upgraded by the Township in that period. The
County does not adequately maintain the existing roads and it is doubly
wasteful adding more miles to be maintained while other northern Michigan
communities abandon roads and pavement.
7.
The Mullett Township Board should instead cooperate
with and explore all resources available with the adjacent Township Boards of Burt,
Inverness, Tuscarora, Koehler, Aloha and Grant to secure adequate maintenance
of our primary County roads. The Cheboygan County Road Commission has failed
taxpayers and if they cannot maintain the primary roads, pressure must be
applied with every resource available to the Townships. It is unfortunate, but visitors, investors and
potential future residents see neglected roads as the first sign of a failed
community.
8.
Mullett Township has authority under law to
license franchises. Four or five different garbage company trucks driving down
a street every week is the reason franchises make sense. The Mullett Board
needs to develop one or more geographical franchise areas for the East and West
side and then determine the number of householders in each area needing garbage
pick-up. Advertise for competitive sealed bids per user for an annual or longer
term. Mullett residents will receive lower cost garbage service and truck
traffic on our residential streets will be greatly reduced.
9.
The renewed Mullett Township Board should take
this opportunity to adopt a formal ethics policy. The policy adopted by
Resolution by the previous Mullett Township Board allowing Board members to
receive pay for township work, unrelated to their elected duties, is an
unethical practice and should be rescinded. No other government entity in the
State of Michigan allows this practice that is clearly a conflict of interest.
The Township exception was conceived to allow EMS or other essential services
to be supplied by an elected official and misuse of this privilege is
unethical.
10.
The Resolution, drafted by and empowering the
Topinabee Development Association, incorrectly identifies the TDA as representing
the “residents” of Mullett Township. That resolution thus falsely empowers the
TDA as an agent of the residents of Mullett Township. The TDA represents only a
vocal minority of Mullett Township residents. The principal stakeholders still remain
the O’Hare’s and a handful of friends. Their Sisyphean efforts repeatedly seeking grants for a
“M27 Streetscape” is a narrowly focused effort by a special interest group and
is a travesty of the democratic process usurping the Board’s authority.
11.
I actively
encourage and participate in volunteerism, community action, and support both
preservation and area development. I propose an encompassing Resolution that
recognizes the need for participation by all residents in community
development. For your review, a copy of the TDA Resolution is attached. A draft
of a proposed more encompassing resolution is also attached that addresses
these issues, recognizes the value of citizen input, committees, and encourages
more community involvement with open door meetings and planning sessions. As
the Mullett Board identifies “action items”, I would encourage the Board follow
the practice of appointing ad hoc citizen committees chaired by a Mullett Board
member to gather input, reach a consensus, and then move these “action items”
forward in a timely manner for approval, disapproval, or compromise by the
entire Mullett Board.
12. Mullett Township citizens have expressed a need for
a blight ordinance. The word blight defies easy definition and one person’s
junk is often another person’s collectible. Cheboygan County Planning and
Zoning Ordinance #200 clearly states:
The
purpose of this Ordinance is to promote and safeguard the public health,
safety, morals and general welfare of the people of the unincorporated portions
of Cheboygan County. The provisions herein are intended to encourage the use of
lands, waters and other natural resources as they pertain to the social,
physical and economic well being of the county, to limit the improper use of
land and natural resources, to reduce hazards to life and property, to provide
for orderly development within the county, to avoid overcrowding of land and
water resources, to provide for adequate light, air and health conditions in
dwellings and buildings hereafter installed, erected or altered, to lessen congestion
on the public roads and streets, to protect and conserve natural recreational
areas, agricultural, residential and other areas suited to particular uses, to
facilitate the establishment of an adequate and economic system of
transportation, sewage disposal, safe water supply, education, recreation and
other public facilities, to conserve the expenditure of monies for public
improvements and services to conform with the most advantageous uses of land,
resources and properties, and to be one means of implementing the policies,
goals and objectives as set forth in the Cheboygan County Comprehensive Plan.
I encourage the Mullett Township Board
to initiate and work with other townships, Cheboygan County Commissioners, and Cheboygan
County Planning and Zoning to develop a plain language County wide blight
ordinance, enforceable at the County level with County employees. At the
township level, we see only a junk-filled yard or two and some cottages in the
village center in need of repair and paint.
A county wide blight ordinance can address more, possibly foreseeing
issues we do not, and still be simple and sane. Cheboygan County does not need 19
Township blight ordinances.
13.
While blight
may be easily recognized, some design aesthetics apparently are not. Within close
proximity in Topinabee, a casual observer can see three different styles of
municipally owned picnic tables in use, several styles of bicycle racks, and
several different styles of signage. Should a visitor to Topinabee interpret a
sign “Mullett Township Parking” as public parking? Or, is the area reserved for
Mullett Township municipal employees? Clearly, every municipal sign does not
have to have “Mullett Township” on it. Signage should be just that; signs.
Uniquely decorative signs will simply result in theft as Tuscarora Township has
experienced. Mullett Township should also erect “Welcome to Mullett Township” or
“Entering Mullett Township” on at least the south and north approach on M27 and
perhaps some simpler identifying signage on a limited number of primary County
roads.
Closing Comments
Obviously, you and others will
identify other items, other issues, and have different agendas. These items are
simply part of my personal bucket
list; my manifesto for Mullett Township.
Governments must change as we
change and that requires visionary leaders who can recognize and separate valid
needs from all the background noise, and respond. I have recently stated in the
Cheboygan Tribune, Straitsland Resorter and the Petoskey News Review that the
Township form of government we presently employ is outdated, inefficient,
wasteful, and no longer has a place in the State of Michigan. We no longer
hitch the buggy up or walk to a monthly or annual Township Meeting; but we still
look to our local government for basic needs and services. Mullett Township is
unable to even fill a pothole on its own. Each of the political subdivisions
within Cheboygan County serving populations of 500 to 2500 people is
increasingly redundant and thus ineffective. Mullett, Burt, Koehler and Aloha
Townships already share some resources and cooperate in times of emergency. A
consolidation of services, governance, and Boards of two or more of these
contiguous townships would be logical and fiscally responsible.
I encourage each of the Mullett Township Board
members to work first to serve all Mullett Township residents to the best of
your abilities. I also encourage each of you to start the march to
consolidation of our political subdivisions in Cheboygan County and Michigan. Each
of you can either contribute to the solution or continue as part of the
problem.
