Comstock Charter Township - March 10, 2026 Comstock Township Special Board meeting

Updated about 10 hours ago

The Township Board continues to see significant public comment, primarily focusing on the validity of actions taken by Superintendent Hess before taking his oath of office. Attorney Thall provides a statement addressing these concerns, explaining the actions are valid under the doctrine of de-facto officers. Additionally, the board discusses the rescheduling of a liquor license complaint hearing regarding Ben Martin/Soil Friends to a larger venue to accommodate public interest. The meeting is marked by public dissatisfaction and accusations of improper conduct by board members.

Chapters

Call to Order and Appointment of Moderator (00:01:45)
The meeting is called to order and Trustee Cherry is appointed as the moderator in the absence of the supervisor.

At 2:00 PM, the special board meeting of Charter Township of Comstock is called to order. In the absence of the supervisor, a motion is made to appoint Trustee Cherry as the moderator of the meeting. The motion is supported, voted on, and carried.
Pledge of Allegiance (00:02:19)
Attendees stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag.

Following the call to order, attendees are asked to stand and join in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
Approval of Agenda (00:02:46)
The agenda is reviewed and approved by motion and vote.

A motion is made to approve the agenda for the meeting. The motion is seconded and put to a vote. The agenda is approved with all in favor.
Public Comments (00:03:07)
Residents express concerns and opinions on various issues, including business operations and the conduct of the board.

Public comments are opened, allowing residents to state their name and address and speak for up to three minutes. Multiple residents express dissatisfaction with the board's handling of local business issues, alleged conflicts of interest, and recent decisions. Concerns are raised about the treatment of small businesses, the scheduling of meetings, and perceived divisions within the community.
Rescheduling of Liquor License Complaint Hearing (00:29:32)
The board discusses and approves the rescheduling of the liquor license complaint hearing to a new date and location.

Clerk Boham presents a motion to reschedule the liquor license complaint hearing due to the need for a larger venue and to ensure the hearing does not coincide with a regular board meeting. The proposed new date is March 15th, and the hearing will be held at the high school Colt Center. The motion is supported, voted on, and passed.
Addressing Superintendent Oath of Office Complaint (00:31:21)
The board addresses the complaint regarding the oath of office for the Township Superintendent.

Attorney Thul addresses the board on the complaint received about the Township Superintendent Hess's oath of office. He clarifies that Superintendent Hess has now taken the required oath, and all Township employees, including ordinance officers, have taken their oaths. A statement is prepared for public release to address the concerns.
Oath of Office Discussion (00:33:27)
Discussion on the oath of office required for officers, including the validity of actions by the superintendent before taking the oath.

Following the election, all officers, legislative, executive, and judicial, must take an oath or affirmation to support the U.S. and state constitutions. The discussion included the validity of actions taken by the Township superintendent prior to taking the oath of office. It was determined that such actions are still valid under the doctrine of de facto officers. The superintendent has now taken the oath, and his actions prior to it are accepted as valid.
Motion to Adopt Statement (00:37:22)
The board moved to adopt a statement regarding the superintendent's actions and make it public.

A motion was made by a board member to adopt the statement read by the attorney regarding the superintendent's actions and the validity under the de facto officer doctrine. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Public Comments (00:38:13)
Public comments were made expressing concerns about the superintendent's oath and other township issues.

During the public comment period, residents expressed concerns about the validity of the superintendent's oath of office, alleged wrongdoings, and general discontent with the board's actions. Several residents raised issues about transparency, trust, and governance within the township.
Member Comments (00:57:55)
Board members briefly commented on the meeting and thanked participants for their input.

During the members' comment section, board members expressed thanks to the public for their participation and acknowledged the difficulty of the discussions. No new significant comments or motions were introduced.
Legal Clarification (00:59:02)
Attorney clarified a legal point regarding the applicability of certain laws to townships.

The township attorney clarified that a referenced state law regarding the timing of taking the oath of office is applicable to city officers and not township officers, correcting a misunderstanding noted during public comments.
Adjournment (00:59:12)
The meeting was officially adjourned by the board chair.

The board chair officially adjourned the meeting after confirming there were no further comments or issues to address from the board members or the public.