The Bingham Township Board has appointed another math teacher to serve as township treasurer.

Lifelong Bingham Township resident Sandra K. Grant, who holds a bachelor’s degree in education with a major in mathematics from Indiana University, will replace Nichelle “Nicki” Hursey as treasurer.

SANDRA K. GRANT will start August 1st.

Hursey had been working part-time as a math teacher at Suttons Bay Public Schools, and recently accepted a full-time position at the school beginning in the fall. Her resignation as treasurer will take effect Aug. 1 when Grant fills the position. In the meantime, Grant will serve as Hursey’s deputy during a transition period.

Grant has been working as a long-term substitute teacher at Northport Public School for the past year. She is a graduate of the St. Mary School in Lake Leelanau.

Grant will be the third treasurer serving Bingham Township since November 2004, when Dianne Kiessel was elected to the post. In 2005, Kiessel resigned, citing pressure from then-supervisor Robert W. Foster.

In addition, the township clerk elected by Bingham voters in 2004, Dorothy Petroskey, resigned in August 2006, also citing pressure from Foster. She has since been replaced by Peggy Core.

Foster was subsequently removed from office by voters in a recall election in February. He was replaced by Ross Ard in May.

Of the five members of the Bingham Township Board who were elected in November 2004, only two – trustees Steve Voisin and Mary Bush – remain on the board.

Aside from a newspaper reporter, Foster was the only “member of the public” in attendance during much of the special July 11 meeting during which Grant underwent a public interview.

Ard explained that several people had indicated an interest in applying for the treasurer’s position, but only Grant met an application deadline specified in public notices and advertisements placed by the township board. The board decided that it would not consider hiring anyone who did not meet the application deadline, Ard said.

Following the interview, the board voted 4-0 to appoint Grant as treasurer effective Aug. 1. Voisin offered the motion, seconded by Bush, with Hursey abstaining.

During the Bingham Township Annual Meeting on June 16, the treasurer’s annual salary was set at $23,048.