GREENWOOD TWP — It was quite an impressive binder of information that the Greenwood Ad-Hoc Kitchen Committee presented to the town board Tuesday at their regular board meeting.
Committee member Catherine Farley gave a brief review of the information gathered but started with a discussion of why the board should care about the kitchen facility at the town hall, which currently cannot be used as a commercial kitchen.
She noted that, at a minimum, the board needs to decide to make the kitchen safe for use by township staff. At the maximum, they need to expand the kitchen so it can be used for community meals and fundraisers.
“We want to update the kitchen to one that is functional,” she said, “with a stovetop, refrigerator, freezer, safe drinking water, and the ability to serve hot and cold food and beverages.”
The township had a tradition of hosting fundraisers for the fire department, such as barbecues and spaghetti dinners. There has also been talk about hosting pancake breakfasts, Farley said.
“The needs of the community motivated us,” she said.
The information collected includes details of what is required to operate a commercial-style kitchen — health and sanitation requirements, training requirements, and what upgrades to appliances and cabinetry would be required.
“I am not here to propose any type of dollar figure or a plan,” she said. “The board can decide what they want to do with the kitchen.”
Initial estimates have shown the cost would be around $100,000.
Farley noted that the board is entrusted to manage township facilities for the good of the community.
The committee also visited similar facilities at the Lamppa Civic Center, Embarrass Timber Hall, and Ely Senior Center, and interviewed those who oversee those kitchens to gather more information and ideas.
Farley said they would also like the township to consider making the kitchen as accessible as possible.
“Let’s make this a safe space for all of us,” she said.
“This is like a thesis,” said Chair Lois Roskoski of the information presented to the board members. “They’ve done all the homework for us.”
Supervisor John Bassing thanked committee members for all the work they did. Other committee members included David Farley, Kathy Lovgren, Linda Smith, Elaine McGillivray, and Colleen Lepper. Roskoski also attended some of their meetings.
Supervisor Steve Bradach said upgrading the kitchen is going to be a costly project.
“We should see what the public thinks at the annual meeting,” he said.
“Food is a way to get to know people,” Bradach added.
“This would be an investment in our future,” Farley said. “The kitchen is said to be the heart of a home. This could be the heart of our community.”
Farley said their committee has seen a real sense of people wanting to serve their community.
“This would be an investment in our future,” she said.
The board has discussed pursuing grant funding for this project. Additionally, they would need to levy money for the township’s contribution, as well as planning for annual maintenance costs.
Farley asked the board to form a new committee, which would include some board members, to continue research and prepare information to present to voters at the annual meeting in March. If funding was approved, it would be available in 2027.

Transparency
The otherwise civil meeting took a noisy turn when Roskoski spoke about what she felt transparency in the township meant.
“The majority on this board have made changes since we were elected,” she said. “We are posting agendas the week prior to the meeting, our board meetings are livestreamed. There is telephone access to the meetings. That is transparency.”
“Others like to cause disruptions,” she said. “The incumbents were ousted by an overwhelming margin.”
Roskoski’s comments were in response to a roadside sign posted by the town hall. The sign stated “Welcome to Loisville. Transparency died here.”
“Transparency thrives here,” she said. “It did not die here.”
Roskoski said she had taken down the sign and said she would be happy to return it to whomever it belonged to.
Her words then brought on a loud discussion between Bassing and other board members, mostly centering on fire department issues and actions of the previous board.
“This crap has to stop,” said Bradach. The conversation was gaveled to order by Roskoski.

Other business
In other business, the board:
• Tabled indefinitely any discussion on hiring a maintenance employee. The township currently contracts for lawnmowing, snowplowing, and town hall cleaning.
“No one knows who put this on the agenda,” said Roskoski.
• Tabled until the next meeting a decision on purchasing new computers for the clerk and treasurer, or alternatively upgrading the current computers to Windows 11. The board wanted more information from the clerk. Treasurer Mortaloni said the computers will need to be replaced in the near future, but wondered if they should just upgrade the old computers and try to get a grant to cover the cost of two new computers, which is expected to be between $2,000 and $2,500.
• Held a discussion about the Little Free Library boxes on the walking trail. The library boxes were taken down and need to be repaired, and there was also a question about placement of the boxes from a nearby property owner. Bradach said the township does have a 30-foot easement for the trail. There were also questions about the placement of a sign and benches along the same section of the trail. The board tabled the issue and will discuss again in October.
• Approved additional language in the town hall and pavilion rental agreements which clearly state the renting party needs to secure the key fob from the clerk during regular office hours. The board also denied a request from a party who wanted to do a long-term rental of the town hall, three days a week, to hold classes. The board said they would like to hear directly from the person requesting the access.
• Gave Treasurer Tammy Mortaloni permission to start work on two grants, one for the walking trail overlay and repairs, and one for work at the town hall, including replacing the fire department’s large water tank, and also for window replacement.
• Will call for quotes for winter snowplowing at the town hall, and for snowplowing and sanding on Birch Point Extension.
• Hired Tammy Dowden as the fire department’s EMS captain. Dowden is a current member of the department and has been filling in that role in an interim capacity.
• Heard that JoAnn Bassing is appealing the conciliation court’s ruling in favor of Greenwood Township, regarding a pay issue while she was acting as deputy treasurer.
• Tabled a discussion initiated by Bassing regarding the township’s personnel discipline policy.
• Approved the purchase of $1,803 in supplies to update the fire department’s AEDs. The board thanked the Tower Ambulance Service for loaning them some of the supplies they needed in the interim.