Clerk and firefighters honored by Macomb board

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — The June 28 Macomb Township Board of Trustees meeting was more celebratory than business as usual. Officials shined a light on the achievements of Clerk Kristi Pozzi and presented badges to Macomb Township firefighters.

Pozzi is the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks’ 2023 Township Clerk of the Year and had the award presented to her by Adam Wit, the immediate past president of the association and the current Harrison Township clerk.

“I would like to take a moment to say thank you to everybody from the bottom of my heart that has supported me along the way,” Pozzi said. “I couldn’t have achieved this award without all of you.

“This is a testament to the power of perseverance, dedication and hard work, and this award is for all of us. We won this together. Thank you so much,” Pozzi said.

Many meeting attendees took time to congratulate Pozzi for her accomplishment, including officials from Macomb County. Kathy Smith, Macomb County’s deputy clerk, came by on behalf of Macomb County Clerk Anthony Forlini. Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel also attended the meeting.

“(Pozzi) has certainly been an integral member of this community for many years, and she really is everything she’s cracked up to be,” Macomb Township Supervisor Frank Viviano said. “She brought a lot of stability to us and helped (Macomb Township Treasurer) Leon (Drolet), and I tremendously as we got our feet wet in municipal government. I don’t think any of us would be here today without her.”

 

Firefighter promotions
More than a dozen Macomb Township Fire Department firefighters officially received new badges. Formal badge presentation occurs after many of those being honored have already been promoted, allowing for the badges to be presented at a single time.

Future ceremonies will be required, however, as only three firefighters were present due to commitments. Kyle Yonkowski was promoted to sergeant and his father Ray Yonkowski was promoted to lieutenant. Kyle and Ray pinned each other’s badges to their uniforms. Vito Daniele was promoted to sergeant and had his wife Rachel pinned his badge on him.

The other firefighters promoted included Chris Gruener, George Leemhuis, Dave McGee and Jim Peterson, who were all promoted to sergeant, and Ryan Gierman, Dave Nowak and Chris Zepke, who were all promoted to lieutenant. Ken Bartz, Jason Dumas and Steve Staweck were promoted to captain, and Vince Pozzuoli was promoted to Fire Inspector.

Aside from promotions, the Fire Department was approved to review and revise the department’s policies, with a bid going to Lexipol Public Safety Policy and Training for about $25,160.

A supply-chain-induced work order revision for the two pumpers being built for the Macomb Township Fire Department were approved at a total cost of nearly $111,200.

 

Other business
Trustees also approved maintaining its contract with Team Roe for grant writing services for $3,000 a month.

Over the past two years, the township has worked with Team Roe in an attempt to get more funding for projects across the township. In 2021, the township researched 11 grants and submitted six applications, requesting $756,000, and it was awarded three for $331,000. In 2022 the township researched and submitted 12 grants and submitted applications requesting nearly $10 million. It received one back for just over $138,000, though six grants are waiting for a response.

Trustees also approved a 10-year 50% tax abatement for MISC Products. The abatement was requested by MISC due to a 1,600-square-foot expansion to its facilities at 16730 Enterprise Drive. The abatement proposal received no objections during a public comment period.

Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.