https://www.iosconews.com/oscoda_press/news/article_2d67126e-c470-46ef-92f6-47eac36f44cc.html
AuSABLE Twp. – The AuSable Township Board of Trustees met on Monday, Jan. 5, during which they reviewed the draft 2026-2030 Charter Township of AuSable Recreation Plan, as well as the proposed water and sewer rate increases.
In reference to the former, Trustee Gina Cinquino motioned to open the public hearing that had been scheduled, to receive comments on the recreation plan document. Seconded by Clerk Kelly Graham, the motion passed 6-0, with Treasurer Yvette Ramsdell unable to attend the meeting.
No members of the public attended the hearing.
Trustee Kathy Lott then motioned to close the hearing and, with support from Graham, it passed 6-0.
Details of the recreation plan, include a community description, the administrative structure, recreation inventory, goals, objectives, an action plan, a planning schedule for implementation and the results of a related survey.
Some of the key survey results, included participant responses that were in favor of recreational areas within the township, specifically bike paths, hiking trails, playgrounds, ORV trails and wide paved shoulders for biking and walking.
Participants of the questionnaire also rated the township’s efforts to protect the natural environment as “Good.”
More than 60% of respondents indicated that the conditions at Shoreline Park, the Children’s Park, Harbor Street Boat Ramp, Finish Line Park, Old AuSable River Walk/Ski Path at the senior center and McCuaig Park were “Excellent.” The choices available for rating each park, were Excellent, Good or Poor.
Shoreline Park received a rating of 65% Excellent, 35% Good and 5% Poor; the children’s park received greater than 70% Excellent, 20% Good and less than 10% Poor; Harbor Street Boat Ramp received greater than 70% Excellent, 10% Good and 15% Poor; Finish Line Park was rated 75% Excellent, 20% Good and 5% Poor; the Old AuSable River Walk/Ski Path at the senior center received greater than 80% Excellent, just over 10% Good and approximately 5% Poor; and McCuaig Park was rated nearly 70% Excellent, 5% Good and 25% Poor.
Of the survey respondents, 75.83% listed walking as the recreational activity they most enjoyed; followed by concerts, at 56.67%; and hiking and wildlife viewing, both at 50%. Other highly enjoyable activities, included fishing, kayaking, swimming, bicycling, movies/movie theater, beach combing, festivals, canoeing, gardening and camping.
Additional types of recreational activities desired, included dog parks, a golf course, more trails connected to subdivisions, outdoor beach yoga, children’s day camps, a community center with showers and exercise equipment, more basketball courts, outdoor pickleball courts, a water splash pad at the children’s park, an ice rink and winter activities inside and out.
AuSable Township Superintendent Eric Strayer introduced Resolution 2026-01, which accepts the recreation plan for 2026-2030, as presented.
Trustee Diana London made a motion to adopt the resolution, which was supported by Trustee Shayne Janis, and passed in a 6-0 vote.
Draft copies of the plan are currently available at AuSable Township Hall, and the finalized version will be available in the near future.
Strayer then presented Ordinance No. 83, which had previously been discussed by the board at their Dec. 15, 2025 meeting.
The ordinance recommends raising the sewer rates in the township by 3%. If approved, the increase would go into effect on Feb. 1.
Lott’s motion to approve the rate change was supported by London, and resulted in a 5-1 vote, with Cinquino casting the lone dissenting vote.
Next on the agenda – and also discussed at the December meeting – was Ordinance No. 84, which would raise the water rates by 4%.
London made a motion to approve the increase, which received support from Janis and passed 5-1. Opposed, and again casting the sole “no” vote, was Cinquino.
A separate matter before the board, involved a conversation about three millages which are set to expire this year, and would be put in front of voters for their consideration on the August ballot.
The three millages are for fire protection in the township, mosquito control services and the Oscoda AuSable Senior Center (OASC).
The board plans to work on the wording for the millages, during their Feb. 2 meeting. The trustees also intend to coordinate the wording for the OASC millage with the Oscoda Township Board of Trustees, as both townships share ownership of the center.
