By Bruce Rolfe
Climax Township voters will have a closer location to participate in early voting for state and federal elections after the Climax Township Board unanimously approved a resolution to enter an early voting municipal joint agreement with Pavilion Township at its regular meeting June 10.
Brady Township has already entered into the same agreement with Pavilion Township for early voting at the Pavilion Township Hall.
The Early Voting Municipal Agreement Committment with Pavilion Township is for 2026-2027.
The move allows the Climax Township to leave the Kalamazoo County-wide early voting agreement and realize an approximate savings of $970 per election while providing a closer early voting location for Climax Township residents.
Seeking a closer early voting location for Climax Township voters, Climax Township Clerk Sarah DeBoer began researching the cost for Climax Township to leave the Kalamazoo County-wide early voting agreement and operate early voting at the Climax Township Hall. However she said the cost of running nine days of early voting at the Climax Township Hall would be significantly higher then what the township is currently paying Kalamazoo County.
DeBoer said Climax Township paid Kalamazoo County $1,829.99 for the November, 2024 election to run early voting for Climax Township residents. She said Kalamazoo County has provided a rough estimate of $4,344.45 for two elections to run early voting for Climax Township for 2026-2027, or just under $2,200 per election.
By entering into the agreement with Pavilion Township, Climax Township will pay one election inspector for nine days at $16 per hour for eight hours each day ($1152), provide a ballot bag (approximately $200, however Climax Township has one available), a precinct kit (approximately $50) and a one time postcard mailing to each household in the township alerting residents about the location change for early voting (approximately $1120). After the first election, the $1120 mailing charge would no longer be required.
Township residents will still have the option of obtaining an absentee ballot or vote in person at the Climax Township Hall for state and federal elections.
DeBoer points out currently, there is no grant money available to the county or to townships to assist with the expense of early voting there was with early voting in 2024. If any state money becomes available, Climax Township would be eligible to receive funding whether or not the township remains in the countywide agreement.
Scotts Business Owner Inquires About Closing Portion of Street for Scotts Days Event
Climax Township Supervisor Trent Piper said he was approached by the owner of Scotts Lulu’s Café, Danny Reyes, with a request to close a portion of Norscot Street from 36th Street to Watson Street July 18 from 4-10 p.m. during Scotts Days to set up a food tent and area for a live band to perform.
Piper said Reyes hopes the event will provide an opportunity for more business at the Scotts Corner Café, Scooters and Scotts Country Store & Deli.
While Reyes will first have to petition the Road Commission of Kalamazoo County and Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department to close the portion of the road off from 4-10 p.m., the Climax Township Board approved a motion to allow Reyes to petition both entities for the July 18 event.
Climax Township Fire Department Report
• Climax Township Fire Chief Scott Smith said there were 40 calls for service in the month of May. The break down includes 26 medical runs, one structure fire, six calls for power lines down. three dispatches that were cancelled enroute, one off road vehicle fire, one distress call, one call that was to a wrong location and one motor vehicle accident.
The local fire chief adds seven of the calls were mutual aid provided and four calls were mutual aid received. He said as of June 10 the local fire department has responded to three calls for service.
New firefighter hired
Smith said Nate Clark has resigned effective June 10 and Jenna Audette resigned effective April 1, however the Climax Township Board unanimously approved hiring T.J. Poole as a probationary firefighter. Climax Township Fire Chief Scott Smith said Poole resides in Climax Township and is currently a member of the South County Fire Department.
The new addition will give the local fire department a roster of 15 firefighters.
• A new well and hand pump in Gilson Cemetery has been installed. Users should note that the hand pump will need to be primed first before using. Water will be near the pump for priming. The water dispersed from the pump is non-potable.
Clerk Updates Township Board About Employees Eligible for Earned Sick Time
Climax Township Clerk Sarah DeBoer updated the board about a seminar hosted by the Michigan Township Association she attended, on the new Earned Sick Time law. She told the board which township employees would qualify for compensation under the new law that went into effect February 11, 2025.
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 en- titled 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 while there are a handful of township employees that could qualify for ESTA compensation, she felt based on the number of qualifying hours worked, the fire chief, deputy clerk and deputy treasurer would most likely be the only township employees affected.
In other items covered at the June 10 meeting:
• There was general consensus by the Board to allow the Climax Township Fire Department to participate in the Wakeshma Community Church Adventure Camp Friday, August 1, from noon - 1 p.m. The fire department will provide water for a slip and slide activity as well as provide information about the fire truck. It was noted with Climax Township providing medical first responder services in Wakeshma Township next year, the event would be a good community outreach opportunity.
• The Township Board approved an application for a fireworks display July 4 in the 9400 block of South 46th Street.
Climax Township voters will have a closer location to participate in early voting for state and federal elections after the Climax Township Board unanimously approved a resolution to enter an early voting municipal joint agreement with Pavilion Township at its regular meeting June 10.
Brady Township has already entered into the same agreement with Pavilion Township for early voting at the Pavilion Township Hall.
The Early Voting Municipal Agreement Committment with Pavilion Township is for 2026-2027.
The move allows the Climax Township to leave the Kalamazoo County-wide early voting agreement and realize an approximate savings of $970 per election while providing a closer early voting location for Climax Township residents.
Seeking a closer early voting location for Climax Township voters, Climax Township Clerk Sarah DeBoer began researching the cost for Climax Township to leave the Kalamazoo County-wide early voting agreement and operate early voting at the Climax Township Hall. However she said the cost of running nine days of early voting at the Climax Township Hall would be significantly higher then what the township is currently paying Kalamazoo County.
DeBoer said Climax Township paid Kalamazoo County $1,829.99 for the November, 2024 election to run early voting for Climax Township residents. She said Kalamazoo County has provided a rough estimate of $4,344.45 for two elections to run early voting for Climax Township for 2026-2027, or just under $2,200 per election.
By entering into the agreement with Pavilion Township, Climax Township will pay one election inspector for nine days at $16 per hour for eight hours each day ($1152), provide a ballot bag (approximately $200, however Climax Township has one available), a precinct kit (approximately $50) and a one time postcard mailing to each household in the township alerting residents about the location change for early voting (approximately $1120). After the first election, the $1120 mailing charge would no longer be required.
Township residents will still have the option of obtaining an absentee ballot or vote in person at the Climax Township Hall for state and federal elections.
DeBoer points out currently, there is no grant money available to the county or to townships to assist with the expense of early voting there was with early voting in 2024. If any state money becomes available, Climax Township would be eligible to receive funding whether or not the township remains in the countywide agreement.
Scotts Business Owner Inquires About Closing Portion of Street for Scotts Days Event
Climax Township Supervisor Trent Piper said he was approached by the owner of Scotts Lulu’s Café, Danny Reyes, with a request to close a portion of Norscot Street from 36th Street to Watson Street July 18 from 4-10 p.m. during Scotts Days to set up a food tent and area for a live band to perform.
Piper said Reyes hopes the event will provide an opportunity for more business at the Scotts Corner Café, Scooters and Scotts Country Store & Deli.
While Reyes will first have to petition the Road Commission of Kalamazoo County and Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department to close the portion of the road off from 4-10 p.m., the Climax Township Board approved a motion to allow Reyes to petition both entities for the July 18 event.
Climax Township Fire Department Report
• Climax Township Fire Chief Scott Smith said there were 40 calls for service in the month of May. The break down includes 26 medical runs, one structure fire, six calls for power lines down. three dispatches that were cancelled enroute, one off road vehicle fire, one distress call, one call that was to a wrong location and one motor vehicle accident.
The local fire chief adds seven of the calls were mutual aid provided and four calls were mutual aid received. He said as of June 10 the local fire department has responded to three calls for service.
New firefighter hired
Smith said Nate Clark has resigned effective June 10 and Jenna Audette resigned effective April 1, however the Climax Township Board unanimously approved hiring T.J. Poole as a probationary firefighter. Climax Township Fire Chief Scott Smith said Poole resides in Climax Township and is currently a member of the South County Fire Department.
The new addition will give the local fire department a roster of 15 firefighters.
• A new well and hand pump in Gilson Cemetery has been installed. Users should note that the hand pump will need to be primed first before using. Water will be near the pump for priming. The water dispersed from the pump is non-potable.
Clerk Updates Township Board About Employees Eligible for Earned Sick Time
Climax Township Clerk Sarah DeBoer updated the board about a seminar hosted by the Michigan Township Association she attended, on the new Earned Sick Time law. She told the board which township employees would qualify for compensation under the new law that went into effect February 11, 2025.
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 en- titled 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 while there are a handful of township employees that could qualify for ESTA compensation, she felt based on the number of qualifying hours worked, the fire chief, deputy clerk and deputy treasurer would most likely be the only township employees affected.
In other items covered at the June 10 meeting:
• There was general consensus by the Board to allow the Climax Township Fire Department to participate in the Wakeshma Community Church Adventure Camp Friday, August 1, from noon - 1 p.m. The fire department will provide water for a slip and slide activity as well as provide information about the fire truck. It was noted with Climax Township providing medical first responder services in Wakeshma Township next year, the event would be a good community outreach opportunity.
• The Township Board approved an application for a fireworks display July 4 in the 9400 block of South 46th Street.
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