Public notice: Freedom Township

Freedom Township Hall

Freedom Township Board

11508 Pleasant Lake Road, Manchester, MI 48158

SYNOPSIS OF MEETING MINUTES

March 10, 2026, Regular Board Meeting

Held in person at the Freedom Town Hall 

BUDGET HEARING

Supervisor Lindemann called the public hearing to order at 7:30pm 

Members present: Lindemann, Bristle, Layher, Huehl, Schaible     absent: none    2 public in attendance.

Supervisor Lindemann asked Clerk Bristle to present the proposed 2026-2027 budget. 

Adjourned at 8:01 pm  

Meeting called to order at 8:06pm 

Members present: Lindemann, Bristle, Layher, Huehl, Schaible absent-none   3 public in attendance.

The board heard public comments, communications received, and treasurer, clerk, planning commission, ordinance enforcement officer and zoning administrator’s reports. 

Items approved:

1. Minutes for February 10, 2026
2. November Treasurer’s report
3. To ask Laura Genovich with Foster, Swift and Collins Law firm to draft a gravel pit road maintenance and improvement agreement for the Stoneco Esch Road gravel pit and not spend over $2,000 to draft it. 
4. To adopt Resolution 2026-03 Data Center Moratorium Ordinance.
5. To adopt ordinance 56 Data Center Moratorium Ordinance.
6. To adopt Resolution 2026-04 Freedom Townships’ poverty exemption income application.  
7. To have Lindemann reach out to the road commission to work on the agreement to include projects for Bethel Church Road – Steinbach Rd to Schneider Rd including drainage, forestry and a 22A gravel install along with project restoration and Waters Road- Loeffler to Fletcher Rd including forestry, gradall work and a 6-inch lift of 22A.
8. To accept the supervisor’s recommendations for salary increases.
9. To adopt resolution 2026-05 to establish township officer’s salaries. Now therefore it be resolved that as of 4-1-2026 the salaries of the township board members are as follows: Supervisor $26,000.
10. To adopt resolution 2026-06 to establish township officer’s salaries. Now therefore it be resolved that as of 4-1-2026 the salaries of the township board members are as follows: Clerk $31,000.
11. To adopt resolution 2026-07 to establish township officer’s salaries. Now therefore it be resolved that as of 4-1-2026 the salaries of the township board members are as follows: Treasurer $27,000.
12. To adopt resolution 2026-08 to establish township officer’s salaries. Now therefore it be resolved that as of 4-1-2026 the salaries of the township board members are as follows: Trustees $240.00 per meeting.
13. To adopt resolution 2026-09 now therefore be it further resolved that the total revenues and un-appropriated fund be amended for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The following funds increased Dumpster to $9,000, Dues/Memberships to $9,000, Mowing/Snow Plowing to $12,000, Hall Insurance to $11,500 and Road Commission Contract to $212,000 for a total increase of $148,500.
14. To adopt resolution 2026-10 now therefore be it resolved the Freedom Township Board of Trustees adopts the 2026-2027 General Fund fiscal year budget by cost center.
15. To adopt resolution 2026-11 now therefore be it resolved the Freedom Township Board of Trustees adopts the 2026-2027 Public Improvement Fund budget by cost center.
16. To adopt resolution 2026-12 now therefore be it resolved the Freedom Township Board of Trustees adopts the 2026-2027 Road Millage budget by cost center.
17. To accept ER Lawn Service’s bid for spring cleanup, flowerbed maintenance and mowing at the townhall lawn for $60 and the Fletcher Road Cemetery for $73 per mowing. 
18. To accept Jeannie Weidmayer’s bid to mow the Freedom Emanuel Evangelical Memorial Cemetery as needed at $70 per mowing.
19. To accept the April 1, 2026-March 31, 2027, assessing contract from the Washtenaw County Equalization office for $24,000.
20. Warrants 

Second public comment

Meeting adjourned at 10:34p.m.

Prepared by Valisa Bristle, Clerk
Approved by Larry Lindemann, Supervisor

Copies of meeting minutes are available upon request from the Township Clerk or on the website at http://freedomtownshipmi.org   

by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and a founder of the Manchester Mirror.