No action was taken on a proposal to establish public restrooms in Glen Arbor this week, but it was clearly on the minds of township board members and residents Tuesday night.

Three letters  —  two against and one in favor  — have been received in the month that has passed since the Glen Arbor Township Board voted  5-0 to hire Lapham & Associates to provide an architectural design and  mechanical plans for a lavatory to be built on the site of the former fire hall on Lake Street.

The board was divided, however, on the issue of how to pay for construction of the facility. Township Clerk Bonnie Quick and trustee Kent Kelly favored creation of a special assessment district to pay for the toilets. The assessment district would include all properties zone for commercial use.

Supervisor John Soderholm has stated his support for construction of the structure using money from the general fund. He continued that position Tuesday night.

“(A public toilet) contributes to the image of the community overall. It’s a benefit to the entire community,” he said.

Soderholm said that Glen Arbor is one of few waterfront communities on the peninsula without public toilet facilities. Treasurer Terry Gretzema explained that during the development of the township master plan, a lack of public toilet facilities was the second most frequently mentioned “detriment” to the community.

“Our master plan includes references to public restrooms, which should be designed in keeping with the architecture of the community,” Gretzema said.

“It was what would you like to see — a wish list — with no cost attached to it,” said Kelly of the master plan restroom discussion.

The cost of the architectural and design work, needed to determine an overall anticipated pricetag, is $13,744.

Even those in the audience were split in their positions.

“The business people in the community benefit. But we also benefit by having the businesses in the community,” resident Bill Batterson said.

Janine Dean, who regularly attends monthly board meetings had a different opinion.

“If the businesses open their restrooms up (to the public) they may have to have (holding/septic tanks) pumped once more throughout the summer,” Dean said. “This seems a whole lot cheaper than doing a whole public restroom.”

Initial plans have placed the toilet facilities at the former fire hall and — lacking suitable soils — pumping the waste to a drainfield to be located at the township park on Ray Street. The Glen Arbor/Sleeping Bear Chamber of Commerce has agreed to maintain the public lavatory for the six months it will be open.

Board members are hopeful that design plans and cost estimates will be available for discussion at the township Annual Meeting, traditionally held in late March.