Randy Girard, manager, Marquette Township

MARQUETTE–The Marquette Township Board amended its 2018 budget to reflect a $15,000 change in its fire fund.

Board members voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a $20,000 increase in revenue which was offset by $5,000 in administration intercept fees, Marquette Township Clerk Randy Ritari said, bringing the fire fund balance from $90,131 to $105,131.

Ritari said the adjustment was necessary because of an increase in ambulance revenue.

According to an incident report, of the 42 calls the fire department responded to in September, 32 required emergency medical service and two additional motor vehicle accidents with injuries were reported.

The board also approved a resolution for a small risk reduction grant through the Michigan Township Participating Plan for security fencing at the Lions Field ice rink.

Marquette Township Manager Randy Girard said higher fencing could possibly prevent damage to neighboring properties and vehicles.

“It’s not really security fencing, I am going to call it safety fencing,” Girard said. “It is designed to keep things that are supposed to be inside the ice rink and not in the neighbors’ yards or in the park. We have found over the last couple of seasons that even though we have regulations posted and we have a prohibition against slap shots, neighbors are finding large numbers of pucks in their yards.”

The board also scheduled its 2019 budget discussions with an initial focus on the public works budget including water and wastewater rates.

The board voted unanimously on Tuesday to schedule three budget work sessions. The first will replace the subject of a previously scheduled session from 1 to 3 p.m Oct. 24 to focus on public works, the second will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 26 focusing on both public works and the general fund. The third work session will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Nov. 8.