Sumpter board approves $250,000 in ARPA funds for cemetery upgrades

The Sumpter Township Board of Trustees unanimously approved obligating $250,000 of its federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to upgrade Martinsville Cemetery on Willis Court.
This was at its regular meeting on July 11. Trustee Don LaPorte was absent and excused.
Trustee Matthew Oddy said he would like to know what the real costs are going to be to upgrade the cemetery.
Township Manager Anthony Burdick said the cost is from $150,000 to $180,000 and the $250,000 figure is padding the number because of increased cost of everything. He said the board could reduce the amount obligated.
Manager Burdick said the state, which is managing the funds, is being aggressive with timelines for the use of ARPA funds.
Financial Manager Scott Holtz said if all the money allocated isn’t spent, it can be moved to another project.
Burdick said it can be used on “anything for the public good.”
Supervisor Tim Bowman asked if it could be used for a security guard and Burdick replied that once the money stops, there would be no money for a security guard. This is for one-time spending.
Supervisor Bowman asked if it could be spent on parks and Holtz said it was the board’s decision.
Burdick said the next project is parks and ARPA funds are for “quality of life” projects, not infrastructure per se.
Oddy said he was thinking of “quality of afterlife” at the cemetery for the families of those buried there. He said neighbors have chains across their driveways because they need safety.
Burdick said if a visitor to the cemetery finds the gates locked there is nowhere to turn around and they have to pull into private drives. He suggested the township could put in a cul-de -ac at the end.
He said the county thought Willis Court was a private road, but it’s not.
Holtz said the township invested $1 million in ARPA funds and if the $250,000 is spent, there is more for other projects.
The board also discussed possibly hiring another full-time DPW worker to be assigned to maintenance of parks and the cemetery. It was suggested the fairgrounds could be added to that list. More information is being gathered.
In other business at the July 11 workshop and meeting, the board:
• Heard Burdick suggest that the board might want to prohibit swimming in Sherwood Pond because of the cost of testing the water and, “We want a healthy environment.” He said non-motorized boats and kayaks could continue to use the pond. Oddy said there is a liability for the township from people who could drown there because there is no lifeguard, and then there might be something in the water. “Let’s not wait until something happens,” Oddy said. No action was taken;
• Heard Burdick report that they are looking into relocating the recycling bins closer to township hall so residents could use it 24/7 and are waiting for a report from the provider. They are looking at several options, he said;
• Approved allowing Brian Messer to display fireworks on July 22 at 41005 Judd Rd. He told the board that two years ago he did a similar event. He said they have a pond and he will be in touch with Fire Chief Brown on using that water as emergency fire-fighting source in case of a fire. He said the event is for families, friends, neighbors, and board members were invited. He said there will be food, live music, and no parking on Judd Road;
• Approved removing the remaining township-owned parcels from market listings for consideration;
• Removed before the meeting an item that was on the original board agenda: Consider approval to discuss, in open session, the grievances provided by AFSCME to Sumpter Township on behalf of employee Acheenia Hall;
• Voted unanimously to receive and file without comment monthly reports from the supervisor, attorney, police/ordinance, building, and fire departments; and
• Went into closed-door session to consider an update in negotiations of the Michigan Association of Fire Fighters local contract.