How to Attend Township Public Meetings Electronically

Owing to the coronavirus and the Governor’s Executive Orders for safe assembly, all Clark Township public meetings can be attended through a telephone call-in system. You can use your telephone or cell phone to hear and respond at public meetings through the call-in equipment. All public meetings allow for public comment at a specific time on the agenda.

The call-in numbers to use are:

Call-in number: 1-515-604-9099 (this is a toll call)

Meeting ID number is: 529-143-887# (be sure to include the #)

You will be asked to identify yourself when joining the meeting. This enables the Township members at the meeting to know someone is on the telephone line. After you have identified yourself, please mute your phone to avoid background sounds from disturbing the meeting discussions. The chairperson or secretary will keep note that you are on the line and at the public comment time you will be asked if you have something to say. Please keep your comments concise and to a specific point. Comments are limited to three (3) minutes per person to ensure your comments are heard clearly by all at the meeting and others on the call-in.

If you attend the meeting because you are part of a specific listed agenda item, you will be invited to speak as needed to that specific topic on the agenda.

The Executive Order 160 limits the number of people in attendance in Region 8 to 25% of the room’s capacity.  The maximum capacity for the Township meeting room is 12.

New Sewer Rates

The Clark Township Board of Trustees in June approved increasing the quarterly REU (residential equivalency unit) sewer rates from $95 a quarter to $115 a quarter, a $20 per quarter increase or $80 per year. The increase begins with the September 2020 billing.

The Board knows this increase comes at a difficult time, but the 30-year old sewer system needs repairs and updates. Last year the rate was increased $5 a quarter, the first increase in several years, but it was not enough. That added about $22,000 overall to the budget. However, the Township is looking at more than $200,000 in additional expenses in the next two years.

1. The current grinder pump model we use was discontinued by the manufacturer and its replacement costs more. The Township has begun a plan to replace all the grinder pumps over the next several years, including an initial purchase of 30 new pumps which will be about $45,000. This will be split over two years.

2. A 600-foot section of the force main on Blind Line Road must be replaced at a cost of $125,000. This will significantly reduce the sewer fund as this project must be done soon. The Township will apply for grants or loans from the USDA and other agencies to help pay for it.

3. Five flowmeters will be purchased at about $16,000 to monitor water flow rates in the system. The Sewer Department has seen the per gallon water flow increase significantly above seasonal and normal increases which stresses the system beyond its designed capacity. The Department employees discovered some residents were using sump pumps to redirect water into the sewer system. State and Federal law, as well as the Township Sewer Ordinance, prohibit the use of the sanitary sewer for removal of "clear water." The system was not designed to handle the volume of clear water pouring into it, and this drives up the operating costs for all users.

Clear water from perimeter and roof gutter drains, sump pumps, groundwater, faulty plumbing, or any other source is not allowed. If this exists on your property, it must be corrected at once. If you cannot or will not fix the problem, the Township must take any necessary steps to correct the problem. Township public works employees may go house-to-house to inspect systems where clear water is suspected to be redirected into the sewer system.

4. One lift station pump was replaced this year at a cost of about $40,000.

5. The Township needs to purchase a jetter, a hydro-spray system used to clear obstructions such as ice, grease, and tough roots in sewer lines, which will keep the sewer lines cleared of clogs. The Township chose not to purchase the $60,000 machine this year. The Township has rented a jetter in the past.

LES CHENEAUX COVID-19 STATEMENT FOR RETURNING RESIDENTS & VISITORS
Clark Township Board, June 30, 2020

Click here for notice

Clark Township Waste Water Treatment Plant

A Treatment Plant's Settling Ponds Create an Attraction for Birds — and Bird-Watchers

A rural Michigan treatment plant near Lake Huron attracts an abundance of birds and waterfowl to its settling ponds – along with visitors carrying binoculars.

https://www.tpomag.com/editorial/2018/03/a-treatment-plants-settling-ponds-create-an-attraction-for-birds-and-bird-watchers

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Click on the link below to access Assessing, Tax, and Utility Billing information

https://accessmygov.com/?uid=1430

When you use our website for paying your bills, here is a list of charges that you will incur. 

-Credit Cards and Debit Cards will be charged 3% of your bill.

The Clark Township Board of Trustees meet on the 

3rd Wednesday of every month at 8:00 AM at the Township Offices on North Blind Line Road.

Located in Michigan's Eastern Upper Peninsula, Clark Township comprises the two waterfront settlements of Cedarville and Hessel, a 17 mile stretch of pristine shoreline and the 36-island archipelago known as the Les Cheneaux Islands.