Comstock Township - Township Board - July 6, 2026 Meeting

Updated about 7 hours ago

Gavel to gavel coverage of the July 6, 2026 meeting of the Board of Trustees for the Charter Township of Comstock. Stay engaged with your elected officials as they make decisions affecting your hometown.

Chapters

Welcome and Call to Order (00:01:56)
The Township of Comstock board meeting is called to order.

The meeting starts with a welcome to the attendees as the Township of Comstock board meeting is called to order on Monday.
Pledge of Allegiance (00:02:06)
The Pledge of Allegiance is recited by attendees.

Attendees are asked to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance, affirming their loyalty to the flag and the nation.
Approval of Agenda (00:02:35)
The agenda is amended and approved by the board.

The board discusses moving the ordinance report after the closed session. A motion is made by Clerk Beauchamp and supported by Treasurer Bloomfield to approve the agenda as amended. The motion passes.
Public Comments on Agenda Items (00:03:00)
Citizens express concerns about homelessness and public safety issues.

Citizens are invited to comment on agenda items. Tammy Healer speaks about homelessness issues on Celery Street, including public safety concerns. She advocates for ordinances to address these problems. Another citizen, McCurley, discusses limitations on public comments to agenda items only.
Reports and Announcements (00:06:34)
County Commissioner Gisler provides updates on voting, childcare millage, and county administration.

John Gisler, County Commissioner, reports on upcoming testing of voting apparatus, recommends voting no on a childcare millage, and discusses efforts to replace Kevin Kaplan, the county administrator, who is leaving for a new position.
Consent Agenda Approval (00:11:22)
The consent agenda is approved with amendments by the board.

The board approves the consent agenda after a correction is made to the record of a previous vote. The motion is made by Clerk Beauchamp and supported by Trustee Pratt.
Audit Presentation (00:12:52)
Matt Smith presents the audit report showing a clean opinion with no significant issues.

Matt Smith presents the audit report for the year. The report includes a governance letter and audit opinion. The audit found no significant accounting changes or issues, resulting in a clean opinion. Questions from board members are addressed.
Wesley Farms Step Three Approval (00:18:03)
Final approval is granted for Wesley Farms condominium project, pending attorney review.

Attorney Thall outlines the final approval for the Wesley Farms condominium project. The board approves the project pending the Township attorney's review of the master deed and bylaws. The motion passes with one opposing vote.
The Wall That Heals Presentation (00:23:02)
Presentation on bringing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial replica to Battle Creek.

Representatives discuss the event to bring a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to Battle Creek, including an education center and various ceremonies. The board and attendees are invited to support the event and honor veterans.
Receipt of Additional Information from County (00:35:42)
Mary Gustus presents additional information received from Kalamazoo County regarding senior services.

Mary Gustus, from the Comstock Community Center, presents additional information received from Kalamazoo County, requested by Bonnie Pershing. This information includes a breakdown by jurisdiction and zip codes, covering multiple jurisdictions, including Cooper Township and Comstock Charter Township.
Discussion on County Senior Millage Funding (00:37:00)
Mary Gustus discusses concerns about the distribution of county senior millage funds and the services they support.

Mary expresses dissatisfaction with the allocation of senior millage funds, noting discrepancies in service provision across townships. She emphasizes the need for detailed breakdowns of services, which have been challenging to obtain due to privacy regulations like HIPAA.
Treasurer's Office Staffing Discussion (00:42:50)
Discussion on the need to hire a full-time deputy treasurer to handle increased workload during tax season, including the duties involved and potential candidates.

The board discusses the need for a full-time deputy treasurer position due to increased workload as tax season approaches. Treasurer Bloomfield emphasizes the necessity of filling the position to ensure efficient operations. Several trustees express support for Bloomfield's judgment in selecting a deputy but also discuss the need for proper hiring procedures, including interviews and checks. Concerns are raised about whether the current candidate, William Knight, has the necessary qualifications and skills.
Discussion on Treasurer Position and Background Checks (01:07:57)
Discussion on appointing Deputy Treasurer Knight, contingent on passing background, drug, and credit checks.

The board discusses the process for appointing William Knight as Deputy Treasurer, emphasizing the need for background checks, drug tests, and credit checks. They consider making an offer of employment subject to these checks. The board also addresses the salary and benefits for the position, deciding that Knight would not receive a stipend but would have a full-time salary with benefits. The discussion ends with a motion to offer the position to Knight, contingent on passing the required checks.
Township Property Update (01:15:03)
Update on Township Hall roof inspection, transfer station improvements, and compost licensing.

Supervisor provides an update on recent property inspections and maintenance. The Township Hall roof has been inspected, revealing 8-10 years of life left, and future planning for replacement is discussed. At the transfer station, improvements have been made, including acquiring the proper compost licensing and addressing previous inspection issues. Bailey's Excavation donated equipment to assist with clearing brush and maintaining the transfer station, and upcoming changes for resident use are outlined.
Homeless Committee Update and Possible Action (01:18:31)
Discussion on homeless ordinance drafting and committee meeting with Attorney Thall.

The board discusses the complexities of drafting a homeless ordinance, with input from Attorney Thall. The need for direct communication with the attorney to expedite ordinance drafting is highlighted. It is proposed that Attorney Thall attend a Homeless Committee meeting to address questions directly, which could help finalize the ordinance. A motion is made and passed to authorize his attendance.
EPS Security Update (01:25:03)
Discussion on security system upgrades for Township Hall, focusing on panic buttons and door locks.

The board reviews the current security system at Township Hall, discussing the potential upgrades for panic buttons and door locks. Concerns about the effectiveness of the current system, particularly the delay in remote panic buttons, are raised. A proposal for hardwired systems to improve response time in emergencies is considered. The board debates the necessity of wired systems versus the existing remote setup and explores the feasibility of both approaches. They discuss safety for staff and procedures in case of emergency situations.
Discussion on Building Safety and Evacuation Plans (01:37:04)
Trustee Amos raised concerns about the lack of a clear evacuation plan for the building in case of emergency, such as a fire.

Trustee Amos, being a safety manager, asked if there was a written evacuation plan for the building, specifically in case of an emergency like a fire. It was unclear if such a plan was readily available or where it might be stored. There was also discussion about whether there was a plan to account for everyone in the building during an evacuation. It was suggested that a proposal could be developed to address these concerns.
Motion to Enter Closed Session (01:40:12)
The board moved to enter a closed session under the Open Meetings Act to discuss a personnel evaluation requested by Dakota Chapsky.

The board sought a motion to enter a closed session under section 8, 1(a) of the Open Meetings Act to discuss a personnel evaluation requested by Dakota Chapsky. The motion was made by Clerk Beauchamp and supported by Trustee Amos. A roll call vote was conducted, and the motion passed unanimously.
Exit Closed Session and Motion for Pay Increase (03:05:46)
Board exited closed session and approved a motion to increase Dakota's pay following the closed session discussion.

After exiting the closed session, a motion was made by Clerk Beauchamp to approve an increase in Dakota's pay. The motion was supported by Trustee Amos and passed unanimously by the board.
Public Relations Report (03:06:38)
Summary of public relations activities, including court visits and citations issued, with a focus on maintaining transparency and good community relations.

The public relations report summarized activities for the month, which included attending court three times and issuing two citations. The report emphasized the ongoing efforts to maintain transparency and positive relations with the community.
Public Comments and Concerns (03:08:04)
Citizens raised concerns about transparency, fair treatment of employees, and accountability of the board members.

During the public comment period, citizens expressed concerns about the transparency of board activities and decisions, particularly around FOIA requests and drug testing policies. There were calls for fairness in employee treatment and accountability among board members, with specific criticism directed at some members' voting behaviors and actions.
Discussion on Homeless Committee Updates (03:11:03)
Citizens expressed the need for more updates and information from the Homeless Committee due to community interest and concern.

A citizen commented on the lack of recent updates from the Homeless Committee, noting that the last update was several months ago. The issue of homelessness is a recurring topic of concern for residents, and they are seeking more information and progress reports from the committee.
Compost at Transfer Station (03:23:44)
Discussion about the potential use and sale of compost at the transfer station, considering operational and equipment limitations.

The board discussed the options for handling compost at the transfer station. There is potential to use compost for community benefit or as a revenue source, but current limitations in staff and equipment mean no immediate plans are in place. The topic remains open for future consideration.