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The issue, which has been bandied about for the past several months, was not on the boardÕs Jan. 15 agenda.

"The county gave us two options and we donÕt like either one,Ó Supervisor Gerald "TutÓ Patrick said. "I understand it is just one plan now, but if we accept it (the plan), it will cost the township about $7,000 to $8,000 dollars.Ó

Patrick said those figures were just to operate the hall and the county Commission on Aging would be renting it from the township during certain hours for their activities there.

The township would be responsible, Patrick said, for the maintenance, heat, lights, snow removal and lawn care at the facility, located near the downtown business district.

"Right now we have no agreement with the township and the Commission on Aging,Ó Patrick said, adding that the street ministry, which offers food to hungry residents on Saturday nights, can continue doing so until such time as the issue is resolved.

"We have not heard back from the township,Ó county coordinator/planner Peter Garwood said. He said both the county and the COA had approved the second option, which stated the COA would lease the building for five days a week at a cost of $25 per day. The township would then have the ability to allow others to use the building on week nights and on the weekends.

Garwood said a letter would be sent out telling the township if no action was taken, the 30-day notice on the current lease would commence and the township would have to find another location.

"If we donÕt get an affirmative answer, then we will end the lease for the building in May,Ó Garwood said. His recommendation was made into a motion by District No. 5 Commissioner David Howelman and supported by District No. 7 Commissioner and Vice Chairman Laura Stanek.

Officials from the street ministry, who have alleged they have been locked out of the building at times and were told they could not use the kitchen appliances or utensils, have been operating the food program for the past several months. Volunteers provide food for free and are not affiliated with any local churches. One member said, when a restaurant went out of business, they donated their canned goods to them, but they did not have a place to store them, asking if there was storage available at the center.

Patrick replied there was not, but then said he would discuss the issue with Howelman, after he was informed they were told they could use the freezer if space was available.

Resident Ginny Moeke asked why the board didnÕt opt to take on the building as a community multi-purpose center.

"We are basically negotiating that right now,Ó Patrick said. He said the county right now hires a private contractor who comes in a plows the center for senior usage.

District No. 9 Commissioner Joseph Allen said the board has been lax in handling the deliberations regarding the matter, recalling at the countyÕs Jan. 5 organizational meeting the commissioners voted to send township officials the proposal.

"In the past there have been contracts with the COA and the township which negates the third party and when you get federal and state funds involved, it gets fussy,Ó Allen said.

He said the option proposed was that the COA would lease the hall for their use and then the township would be able to use it the other days without problems.

"Yes it will cost the township more, but if you donÕt get your ducks in a row the COA will pull out and then you will be left with everything,Ó Allen said.

Allen said he thought the issue has been ongoing for at least the past several months.

"You have got an option here and you are going to end up paying some money. But if you let it slide again past these next three days, you will have the whole ball of wax.Ó

"I will talk to (county coordinator/planner) Peter Garwood tomorrow (Tuesday) and we will go from there,Ó Patrick said.

"The ball is in your court,Ó Allen said.

In other business during the boardÕs 40-minute meeting, members agreed to write letters to local recycling agencies alerting them to the rash of copper pipe thefts from the Lakes of the North area. The copper tubing is being taken from propane tanks and then being resold on the open market by the thieves for a hefty profit. At least 10 incidents have been reported to the Antrim County Sheriff Department and the Michigan State Police, who also are working on the issue.

Members also adopted a resolution authorizing the Antrim County Road Commission to place "No Thru TrucksÓ along Pineview Drive, which is the subdivisionÕs major road. The signs were taken down during last yearÕs road projects and the ACRC wanted a resolution from the board to replace them.