Pierson Township board adopts solar ordinance, approves sale of sewer unit and parks budget increase

The Pierson Township Board on May 15 adopted a new solar ordinance, approved the sale of a sewer residential equivalent unit (REU), renewed its insurance policy and approved a parks fund budget amendment to cover playground installation costs.

The meeting, called to order at 7:02 p.m. at 21156 W. Cannonsville Rd., opened with routine consent business: the board approved minutes from April 17, payroll and check registers and multiple invoices including Fresh Coast for $4,149.13, Pontem Software for $370.00 and a Game Time invoice for $20,152.09. Bergman moved the consent agenda; Burkholder seconded and the motion passed on a unanimous roll call (Buyze, Bergman, Burkholder, Sower).

Why it matters: The solar ordinance changes township zoning rules recommended by the Planning Commission and took effect after the board vote; the REU sale affects sewer capacity accounting and carries a condition that purchasers obtain a zoning permit for an addition within 120 days or the sale will be rescinded. The parks budget amendment provides nearly $10,000 to complete a previously approved Game Time playground installation, advancing a multi-item parks project.

Key votes and actions: The Planning Committee recommendation to adopt Solar Ordinance 2023-02 was approved (motion by Burkholder; second by Buyze) with recorded votes of yes: Buyze, Bergman and Burkholder; Sower abstained. The board passed Resolution 2023-10 approving sale of an LWL REU to Eric and Annette Hendrickson (offered by Burkholder; second by Bergman) and separately recorded the condition that REU purchasers have 120 days to obtain a zoning permit or the sale will be rescinded (motion by Buyze; second by Burkholder; roll call yes: Buyze, Bergman, Burkholder, Sower).

Other routine approvals included discontinuing Rose Extermination after its monthly fee rose from $46 to $70; renewing a Burnham & Flower insurance policy at $7,477.00 (Buyze moved; Sower seconded; unanimous); use of credit card points for pest treatments; and approval to seek grounds maintenance (mowing, seeding and fertilizer) for the front of the township and overflow parking not to exceed $500, which includes a $65 verbal bid to topsoil and seed a sign corner.

Parks and planning updates: Parks & Recreation reported donation and construction updates, awarded a conditional pavilion cement bid to Right Edge Concrete Construction (the Almighty Concrete bid would be used if reinforcement is not provided), authorized Rowland Excavating to invoice up to $200 for a GT Wave area and approved a bench pad installation paid by sponsorship. The board approved a Parks Fund budget amendment increasing account 208-751-972.000 by $9,919 to cover Game Time installation and surfacing (motion by Burkholder; second by Bergman; roll call unanimous).

Process and next steps: The moratorium Ordinance 2023-01 was noted as expired; a public hearing on animals on larger parcels is scheduled for May 25 at 7 p.m. County Commissioner Ron Baker gave a county update; the transcript does not specify details of his remarks. The board adjourned at 8:35 p.m. after a final unanimous roll-call vote to adjourn.

Votes at a glance:
- Consent agenda (minutes, registers, invoices including Game Time $20,152.09): approved (mover: Bergman; seconder: Burkholder) — yes: Buyze, Bergman, Burkholder, Sower.
- Add Michigan Planning Enabling Act requirements to Policy Manual Section 7: approved (mover: Bergman; seconder: Burkholder) — yes: Buyze, Bergman, Burkholder, Sower.
- Headlee reset for 2024 general election: tabled until June.
- Discontinue Rose Extermination (service price increase): approved (mover: Burkholder; seconder: Bergman) — yes: Buyze, Bergman, Burkholder, Sower.
- Burnham & Flower insurance renewal, $7,477.00: approved (mover: Buyze; seconder: Sower) — yes: Buyze, Bergman, Burkholder, Sower.
- Resolution 2023-10, sale of LWL REU to Eric & Annette Hendrickson (condition: 120-day permit requirement): approved (offered by Burkholder; second by Bergman) — yes: Buyze, Bergman, Burkholder, Sower.
- Grounds maintenance & topsoil/seeding (not to exceed $500; $65 topsoil bid): approved — yes: Buyze, Bergman, Burkholder, Sower.
- Use credit card points for pest treatments: approved — yes: Buyze, Bergman, Burkholder, Sower.
- Adoption of Solar Ordinance 2023-02: approved (mover: Burkholder; seconder: Buyze) — yes: Buyze, Bergman, Burkholder; abstain: Sower.
- Parks Fund budget amendment (increase by $9,919 for Game Time installation): approved (mover: Burkholder; seconder: Bergman) — yes: Buyze, Bergman, Burkholder, Sower.
- Adjournment: approved (mover: Burkholder; seconder: Bergman) — yes: Buyze, Bergman, Burkholder, Sower.

What the record does not show: The transcript records motions, votes and several committee updates but contains few verbatim remarks or public-comment content. Where the transcript lists actions without narrative detail, this story reports the outcomes and any explicit conditions recorded (for example, the 120-day zoning-permit condition on the REU sale).