A Regular Meeting of the Dundee Township Board was held Tuesday September 23, 2025. Supervisor Lewis called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. All present recited The Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Present were Trustees: Alana Horkey, Ken Jaworski, Tim Miles, Gary Lazette, Supervisor Lewis, and Treasurer Ost. Clerk Ziesmer was excused. Supervisor Lewis did roll call.

 

• Treasurer Ost motioned to Revise the agenda, Removing the August 2025 Treasurer Report and Removing the Master Plan from new business. Trustee Horkey seconded. Motion carried.
• Treasurer Ost motioned to approve the minutes from the meeting held on August 26, 2025 and waive the reading. Trustee Miles seconded. Motion carried.
• Supervisor Lewis shared that a Town Hall has been scheduled at the Dundee Middle School Cafeteria from 6-9pm where Cloverleaf can address comments and concerns from the residents.

CORRESPONDENCE: Supervisor Lewis motioned to waive the reading of the one item correspondence and place on file. Trustee Miles seconded. Motion carried. Item of correspondence: Planning Commission Meeting Minutes from June 18, 2025

 

Supervisor Lewis announced that Cloverleaf, the acquisition group, will be coming to town on October 9^th and he has reserved the Middle School Cafeteria for a Townhall meeting at 6 pm. Cloverleaf will host a presentation for the citizens followed by time for question and answers.

                                   

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Rick Rod expressed light pollution and noise concerns regarding the data center and expressed concern that the data center would negatively affect the quality of life for those living in that area
Elizabeth Rubel shared her concerns that the privacy and sense of safety that comes from living in Dundee will go away if the data center comes in, and it ruins generational livelihood for residents.

Dawn Litka inquired about how emergency services will be impacted by the data center needing a lot of diesel & batteries on the property

Martha Smith spoke about the possible long term health effects from ground water contamination from the data center.

Marilyn Larson thanked the board for studying the proposal in order to prevent a potential lawsuit

Makayla Bogi provided a long list of questions that addressed tax revenue and possible exemptions, the cooling system and possible contaminants, effects on energy costs, home values, water prices and availability of long term and short-term job opportunities for Dundee residents

Emily Thebolt cited the Township Master Plan and explained how the proposed data center does not align. expressed the lack of benefit the data center would provide for the township and residents, and shared concerns about natural resources and contained growth.

Tara McKenzie referred the board to multiple video sources that reference other municipalities and how they have been negatively affected by data centers. Shared concerns about the amount of energy that will be required and how that will affect the rates of residents. Shared concerns about water contamination from the closed loop cooling system that’s proposed and urged the board for transparency, suggesting the board live stream meetings or post on youtube to make it accessible for those who physically cannot attend.

Carol Reaume spoke about effects that depreciation and ever-changing technology needs will have on the huge tax revenues that the data center is promoting and what would happen to the facility at the data centers end of life. Urged board to work together and to do their research versus relying on information from acquisition company.

Barb Ramsey addressed the only benefit of the data center would be for the acquisition company, and expressed concerns about the township continuing to give big corporations the place to build without anything in return.

Sierra Post shared her family’s 65-year, multi-generational history with her current home right where the proposed data center is and begged the township to think about the all the families that are in danger of losing their home if this data center is built.

David Carr shared he and his family reside right in the middle of the proposed data center location and expressed concerns for how the data center, and talk of a future power plant, will affect his livestock and livelihood.

A gentleman who wished to remain anonymous shared facts about data centers, mining facilities and the lack of guidelines for these types of facilities. Expressed concern how the proposed data center, which is in close proximity to the Macon Creek, will affect the brook trout.

Laurie Grey shared concern and distaste for the lack of transparency with the acquisition company and board regarding the proposed data center and how the local residents are being taken advantage of.

Elliott Whitcombe shared that data centers are not farmer friendly and as a local grower this will negatively affect their livelihood and shared the negative effects it will have on monarch butterflies in the area. Expressed concern that the data center will strain the natural resources, home values, increase energy bills and ruin farmland.

Linda Gram stated she is a lifelong resident urged the board to find verification of facts from sources outside of the acquisition company and has concern that the information being promoted does not match the effects other data centers have had on rural communities. Urged everyone to work together and do their own research.

Richard Cigle addressed the job opportunities being promoted by the proposed data center and expressed concern that, other than short term construction, job opportunities will not get passed to Township residents and will be outsourced. Expressed that the data center is not a necessity for the Township and urged board to listen to their electors and not to make poorly informed decisions. Hopes township can bring a business that benefits the community and the residents.

Dave Hoffman, Monroe County Commissioner reminded the board to represent the people.

Sharon Lenhart suggested the data center be placed on the ballot for residents to vote. Expressed concern for a lack of a long-term plan by the board.

Johnny Ellis spoke in opposition of Dundee becoming an industrial ghetto and the 25-mile radius effects from the data center.

A Summerfield resident, Christi Amala was a lifelong resident of Dundee until she was pushed out due to the high cost of living in Dundee. Worried about how the data center will affect the neighboring communities with their water and current affordability.

Jessica shared that she moved here for work from a town in Illinois with a population around 300,000. Discussed the lack of space for wildlife in the large area the proposed data center is going and commented on how the neighboring plant ensured they dedicated areas of the land for wild life preservation. Asked the board not to ruin the township.

Stephanie Kozar, Clerk from Milan Township, spoke to the residents and board about some of the issues, C02 Test well, Milan Township is being faced with on top of the Data Center. Expressed distaste that the board is getting taken advantage of with the proposed 425 pre-development agreement and reminded board members that an agreement is not necessary for an escrow account to be created. Informed residents of where the non-local acquisition company comes from and they are only here to buy, build, and sell and without knowing an end user for the proposed data center, all of the promises and proposals cannot be kept. Shared concerns that any company offering limitless pros and no cons for a project is a red flag. Reminded the residents that if they don’t feel represented to make a change, and urged the board to listen to the citizens and stop failing them.

 

 

OFFICIAL REPORTS

 

LIBRARY:  No report at this time

 

ASSESSING: No report at this time

 

BUILDING DEPARTMENT: No report at this time

 

FIRE DEPARTMENT: No report at this time

 

TREASURER LISA HUNT: No report at this time.

 

TRUSTEE GARY LAZETTE: Thanked the residents for sharing their thoughts and concerns, stated live streaming was never proposed before and interested in pursuing it. Stated that some of the public comments made were accurate and some inaccurate, such as electrical rates go up every year and that has nothing to do with the Data Center

 

CLERK KARLA ZIESMER: Excused

 

SUPERVISOR LEWIS: Clarified that the legal document, a 425 pre development agreement from Cloverleaf, that the board voted on 6-1, has still not been signed. Also said we will look into streaming board meetings.

 

TRUSTEE TIM MILES: No report at this time

 

TRUSTEE KEN JAWORSKI: Gave an update that cemeteries are under control this year.

 

TRUSTEE ALANA HORKEY:  Thanked everyone for their time and encouraged people to come to the meeting October 9^th, reassuring residents that the board wants to do what’s best for the community.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

Trustee Miles made a motion to approve working with Win Host for website mitigation at a rate of $5.95/ month for 3 months, renewing if needed. Supervisor Lewis seconded. Trustee Lazette asked if the developer will be from America, Trustee Miles clarified that would be with an RFQ that will be posted. Motion carried.

 

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Treasurer Ost made a motion to approve a quote from Auxillo for the library carpet cleaning for $758.80. Trustee Lazette seconded. Motion carried.

A donation was requested for the Halloween Bash. Treasurer Ost stated that in recent years the Township has moved away from spending Taxpayer funds on donations. No Motion made.

  

 

Additional board comments:

 

 Treasurer Ost reminded the board that the pre-development agreement she had received during the special meeting was not the current copy and she had asked the board not to vote. She stated that now that she has the accurate copy that was voted on, she has some questions specifically regarding the termination options in the agreement. Stated there are 7 ways for ironwood to back out without any effect and there was only 2 for the municipalities that doesn’t safeguard the township. Treasurer Ost stated that she inquired with the township lawyer and that a pre-425 agreement isn’t required to move forward with an escrow account and according to the agreement if the Township backs out, Ironwood and the other municipalities can still move forward without the Township. Stated there is a lot of things that need to be changed in the pre-agreement and the board should have discussed it, and at the special meeting there was no real discussion regarding the contract. Treasurer Ost made a motion to revote on the pre development agreement after the public meeting so the board has time to review it as a full board. Trustee Jaworski seconded. A role call vote was taken. Motion passed 6-0.

Roger Lewis stated the legal document, a 425-pre-development agreement, is not a legally binding contract.

 

Treasurer Ost made a motion to pay the 9/17/25 bills in the amount of $83,459.06. Trustee Horkey Seconded. Motion carried.

 

Trustee Miles made a motion to adjourn. Treasurer Ost seconded. Motion carried.

 

 

The next meeting will be October 9, 2025 at 6:00 pm at the Middle School Cafeteria.

 

 

Attested:                                                                       Respectfully Submitted,

Roger Lewis                                                                  Lisa Ost

Dundee Township Supervisor                                       Dundee Township Treasurer

 

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