The new Baraga Township Hall on M-38 is pictured. (Houghton Daily Mining Gazette photo)

BARAGA — Baraga Township held its rescheduled monthly August board meeting Wednesday. The meeting began with a report from Dick Haagsma of the Pelkie Fire Department, who had just repaired its 3,000-gallon tanker which was out of commission since before the Baraga County Fair.

The department knew something was amiss when they smelled sulfur in the fire hall, and after investigation, it was discovered that one of the tanker’s batteries was burning and the pump switch was malfunctioning. The repair was anticipated to cost $3,000, but the problem was related to a far cheaper part to replace. Though the tanker is functional again, Haagsma suggested that the township start looking for a newer tanker.

“That’s something we should start considering since our newest truck is a 2009 model,” Haagsma said. “It’s not a quick process in the least.”

The board then carried the motion to opt out of the Baraga County Designated Assessor, effective Oct. 1. The county had requested all townships sign off on this agreement, and without the assessor at the county level, the State Tax Commission will appoint an individual to serve with an assessing district that is not in substantial compliance, according to Public Act 660.

After that motion, Supervisor Amy Isaacson resigned from the Zoning Board of Appeals. Isaacson is not running for reelection for her current position after 20 years of service, and she believes it is in the best interest of the township board to appoint new members. She will assist in the training and transition of the new board members.

The resignation was followed by a motion to appoint LeAnn LeClaire, Ariel Gougeon, Garrick Lamb and Amy Tukkanen to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Afterward, the meeting continued with the report of two proposals for the update of the Master Plan.

The two proposals came from North of 45 from Patrick Coleman and the other from Northwoods Zoning and Planning from Jason McCarthy of Marquette.

“My suggestion is to request that the Planning Commission have a special meeting to review those proposals for us to update the Master Plan,” Isaacson said.

The board agreed.