MARSHALL COUNTY — The Marshall County Commissioners will be hearing a presentation on Right Stuff Software – a time clock system for a possible update for how county employees clock in and clock out for the day. Commissioner Stan Klotz referred to some “issues” with payroll; “I just wonder if we could do better.”
Pilot News Group / Jamie Fleury
Councilman Jesse Bohannon and Tim Harman present Cender Dalton Financial Consultant Annual Service Agreement
MARSHALL COUNTY — President of the Marshall County Council Jesse Bohannon and Vice President Tim Harman informed the Marshall County Commissioners of the Council’s agreement with Cender Dalton Financial Consultant and provided them with a copy of the annual service agreement during the Commissioner meeting Monday morning.
Marshall County Council (L to R) Jim Masterson, Nicole Cox, Jesse Bohannon, Deborah Johnson, Will Patterson, Tim Harman, Adam Faulstich
MARSHALL COUNTY — Due to the difficulty in obtaining vehicles; the Marshall County Council held a Special Meeting on Thursday morning for the purpose of approving Marshall County Sheriff Matthew Hassel’s much needed vehicle purchase to replace two vehicles that have been totaled.
Pilot News Group Photo / Jamie Fleury Dennis Manuwal Jr. (left) and Keith Hammonds
Keith Hammonds is retiring from his service as Plymouth Building Commissioner. His last day will be Friday, March 31 when he will pass the reigns to Dennis Manuwal Jr. who has been in training.
Pilot News Group Photo / Jamie Fleury City of Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter
PLYMOUTH — City of Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter gave his 15th and final State of the City address during the Plymouth Common Council meeting on Monday evening.
Pilot News Group Photo / Jamie Fleury City of Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter shown in photo with representatives of the Blueberry Festival Committee during the Plymouth Common Council meeting Monday.
Representatives of the Blueberry Festival Committee presented City of Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter with a bouquet during Monday night’s Plymouth City Council announcing him as the 2023 Grand Marshal for this year’s 57th annual Marshall County Blueberry Festival.
PLYMOUTH — The Plymouth Common Council will consider the reestablishment of a Cumulative Capital Development Fund Monday evening (March 27) during their regular meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET.
PLYMOUTH — The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety (PBPWS) approved the request made by Jo Whitesell Fisher of the Benjamin JW Fisher Memorial Foundation to promote Work Zone Awareness Safety during the month of April. April 17 to 21 is National Work Zone Awareness Week. Jo lost her son Ben to a tragic accident while he was working in a Work Zone.
Fisher will be placing awareness signage and / or ribbons on poles and trees.
A banner will be prominently displayed across SR 17 and Michigan St. with bold letters: “Lives are lost when you don’t move over!” and an image of Ben with other notable information.
A flag will be flown in downtown Plymouth and in the park. The bottom of the flag pole bears the foundation logo and family motto, which is trademarked: #IAMMYBROTHERSKEEPER.
Street Department Superintendent Jimmy Marquardt confirmed that he has been in discussion with Fisher about the logistics.
The Plymouth Common Council also approved Fisher’s application for exemption for the licensing requirements of Ordinance No. 1309 to distribute Work Zone Awareness wristbands at the intersection of Jefferson St. and Michigan St. Friday, April 14 and Saturday, April 15. In the event of inclement weather, the Benjamin JW Fisher Memorial Foundation will promote awareness on Friday, April 21 and Saturday, April 22. Cones will be set up and volunteers will be wearing Class III Safety Vests or identifiable shirts.
Fisher said, “A lot of people don’t realize when a vehicle is pulled over – regardless of what it is – it becomes a Work Zone. That’s what we’re trying to do is bring the awareness out – anybody pulled over on the road – it’s a Work Zone.” She said that if someone’s lights are blinking, or someone is pulled over on the side of the road – no matter who it is – that area is a Work Zone; safety precautions need taken.
Donations will be accepted but her main goal is to spread awareness.
Fisher is also working with Senator Braun on introducing an all-inclusive law that will include all 50 states on Road Safety and Work Zone Awareness. In a follow-up interview Fisher said, “I feel we drive more than just our state so the laws should be the exact same so we don’t have to worry about them changing from state to state.” She noted that the law would increase accountability. For the past three years she has been conducting nationwide research and interviewing people to gather data.
Fisher’s ultimate goal is to make April National Work Zone Awareness Month. She hopes to achieve that goal for 2024.
BOURBON — The Bourbon Town Council held a Public Hearing during their regular March meeting regarding a Personal Property Tax Abatement request on the estimated capital investment of $5.8M on behalf of Shells Inc. Director of Marshall County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) Greg Hildebrand was present to explain the investment and to answer questions. The company is installing a 3D printer to print sand cores at a faster rate to satisfy consumer demand. The council approved the abatement; the total tax savings after seven years will total $133,586.
MARSHALL COUNTY — The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety approved a request made by Director Viki Brown for the fourth annual Dustin’s Place Join the Journey 5K and Family Fun Run.
The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety approved the request from City of Plymouth Coordinator Laura Mann, presented by Clerk-Treasurer Lynn Gorski, to pay the bands who perform for the Mayor’s Month of Music on the day that they have the performance as opposed to waiting for the dockets to be completed.
Pilot News Group Photo / Jamie Fleury
Marshall County Health Department Public Health Nurse Sandy Dunfee, Director of Marshall County Community Foundation and United Way Linda Yoder, and Tobacco Education Coordinator for Marshall County Annette Haining.
MARSHALL COUNTY — The Plymouth Common Council unanimously approved a letter of support to commit the unrestricted and the abated funds from the 2022 and 2023 Opioid Settlement in the anticipated two-year total amount of $85,840.33 to Marshall County’s Project HOPE.
The Bourbon Town Council recently approved 2-1 the Plan Commission / Zoning Contract with Chuck DeWitt for a period of six months. Vice President Les McFarland and Councilman Terry Clemens approved; President Ward Byers voted against. McFarland said that he thought the communication has improved, but he wanted to evaluate again in six months. Clemens echoed the improvement in communication and agreed with the six month reevaluation.
BOURBON — Greg Hildebrand, Interim Director of Marshall County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC), approached the Bourbon Town Council regarding a Personal Property Tax Abatement request on the estimated capital investment of $5.8M on behalf of Shells Inc. The total tax savings after seven years, if approved, would total $133,586.
PLYMOUTH — The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety received one fuel bid from Ceres Solutions for the Fixed Pricing Rate for the City of Plymouth.