Central Lake to put public safety millage on the ballot

CENTRAL LAKE — After meeting with their attorney in a closed session, during their Wednesday, June 9 monthly meeting the Central Lake Village Council opted to enter into negotiations in a lawsuit filed against the village by a local marijuana retailer, considered sharing law enforcement services with a neighboring township, and decided to have language written for a proposed public safety millage to be placed on the ballot. 

Consideration of a public safety millage to fund the village's police department came after a lengthy discussion following frustrations cited by Police Chief Scott Barrett in the aftermath of the resignation of part-time police officer Lacey McLean at the start of what is expected to be a busy summer season. 

Noting that the village police department consisted of a chief with two part-time officers in 2008 when he took on the position of police chief, Barrett said, "Now there's just me to cover approximately 400 complaints a year."

Historically, the village's part-time officers have departed for greener, and higher-paying, pastures after completing expensive police academy training provided by the village, he added. "The job doesn't pay a lot and offers no overtime or holiday pay."

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