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During a regular Clearwater Township Board of Trustees meeting held Feb. 20, Kalkaska Memorial Health Center officials Sheila Atwood and Marianne Ewald gave a brief presentation about a proposed millage renewal that would enable the center to make a number of improvements and additions to enhance health care for the county.

Atwood is an assistant administrator at the center, and Ewald works in cardiac and pulmonary rehab unit.

Fire chief Jeff West asked the women if they had heard if anyone was interested in filling Clearwater Township's hospital representative position, which was previously held by Vanessa Guy. After a few questions were asked by Ewald, she informed the board that she would like to take on the position. Ewald was appointed to the position in less than five minutes.

Atwood reported that the center is proposing a 1.6 mill renewal to be voted on in May 8. The previous, 10-year millage was 1.7 mills and a 1987 millage was for 1.9 mills. The new, lower millage would provide for additional services like a mobile MRI dock, dialysis and outpatient services for colonoscopy and eye surgery to the center, Atwood said.

According to a community survey conducted by the health center, more than 80 percent of the community wants the added MRI dock, and space for Munson specialists and colonoscopy procedures. More than 70 percent wanted an assisted living facility and eye surgery services.

Atwood said there is a need for dialysis services in the community, and 30 Kalkaska county residents are currently on dialysis. These people have to drive to Traverse City to get dialysis services, she said.

She also reported that the health center purchased some adjoining property zoned as R-1 for single family residences for its expansion. The land has been re-zoned in the medical category by Kalkaska village.

In other action at the meeting, the board accepted Tom Caughlin's $3,900 bid to build a closet to store township voting equipment in the gymnasium at the township hall. Another bid from Caughlin was also accepted in the amount of $9,000 to cover the costs of block work and dug-out work at Heritage Recreational Park.

Parks and recreation member Pat Gray asked the board to look into Caughlin's insurance to be sure it is covering all its bases.