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Ingersoll Township Trustee Jacob Terwillegar has resigned from the township board and planning commission, saying ongoing conflicts of interest threatened the board’s ability to maintain a quorum and conduct township business.
Terwillegar and two members who are still on the township board own property within a proposed DTE Energy solar park for which the township's planning commission voted 6-1 in April to deny DTE's request for a special use permit.
The township board accepted Terwillegar’s resignation during its July 13 regular meeting. Township Supervisor Kim Heisler said the resignation was initially presented at the board’s June 8 meeting but was tabled to give township officials more time to prepare for the vacancy.
Terwillegar’s resignation letter is dated June 15 and lists his resignation as effective that same day. In the letter, he said his continued service would have contributed to a situation in which the board could no longer maintain the quorum needed to act because of conflicts of interest.
“In the interest of preserving the Board’s ability to fulfill its governance responsibilities and make decisions in accordance with its bylaws and applicable requirements, I believe it is appropriate to step down at this time,” Terwillegar wrote.
Terwillegar declined to provide additional comment on his resignation.
The vacancy comes as Ingersoll Township remains divided over the proposed DTE Energy solar project and faces an appeal from DTE connected to the development. Recall efforts were launched against Jacob Terwillegar and current board members Heisler, Ronald Garrett and James Terwillegar.
Heisler said Terwillegar’s departure removes one of the conflicts that had prevented the board from acting on matters involving the solar project. With three members previously considered to have conflicts, the remaining members could not form a quorum to vote on related issues, Heisler said.
“Moreso than anything, he wanted the handcuffs taken off the board,” Heisler said. “He wanted to see us be able, if something comes up, to act on it.”
Heisler described Terwillegar as a thoughtful and levelheaded board member whose departure will be a loss for the township.
“He thinks things through, and that’s why he made the decision he did, and I respect that,” he said. “I hate losing him.”
Terwillegar wrote that serving on the board had been a privilege and that he remained committed to supporting a smooth transition to his successor.
The township now has 45 days from the board’s acceptance of the resignation to appoint a replacement, Heisler said. He plans to recommend a candidate, who would then require approval from the township board.
Heisler said he has contacted several potential candidates, though some have declined because of the controversy surrounding the township. He said he is seeking someone who has not publicly aligned with either side of the solar debate or the recall effort.
Heisler said his goal is to bring a candidate before the board at its Aug. 10 meeting. If the board does not make an appointment then, the township may need to schedule a special meeting before the 45-day deadline expires on Aug. 27.
The appointed trustee would serve the remainder of Terwillegar’s term, which is approximately two years.
Heisler has temporarily taken Terwillegar’s place as the township board’s representative on the planning commission. He said he intends for the newly appointed trustee to assume that role so the commission can continue addressing matters beyond the disputed solar project.
“People forget we have other things to do,” Heisler said. “This DTE project is not the only thing going on in the township.”
Max Milne covers community news as community editor at the Midland Daily News. Email him at [email protected].
