The "help wanted" sign is up in Elmwood Township, and includes openings for two positions that had just been filled.

But no applications had yet to be received by the township for the top position to be filled: that of Elmwood Township trustee.

Jim O’Rourke resigned from his trustee position effective March 31. The Township Board officially accepted his resignation Tuesday, starting a 45-day window for the board to appoint a new trustee. A failure to do so would leave the position open at least until the Primary Election in August.

Supervisor Derith Smith hopes to fill the opening quickly. “I think the intent is to fill by the May (13) meeting,” she told board members.

The township is advertising in the Leelanau Enterprise and the Record-Eagle for applications for several positions. If more than three residents apply for the township trustee position, a special meeting may be called to interview applicants and choose a replacement. Otherwise, interviews may be conducted at the May 13, and a decision reached then.

The term four-year filled by O’Rourke expires in November. A replacement would have to run win a position in the Nov. 4 General Election to continue as trustee.

O’Rourke, a recently retired Leelanau County Sheriff’s deputy, was forced to resign over concerns involving the federal Hatch Act – which limits the political activities of federal employees – after accepting a position with the Transportation Security Administration at Cherry Capital Airport. He had considered running for county commissioner, but learned that he may not be eligible to sit to the Leelanau County Board while a federal worker.

Two positions on the Elmwood Township Marina Commission remain open despite the reappointments of Dev Trepp and John Varner in March. According to Smith, the appointments were made without first advertising for applicants, as required by township policy.

Several openings are expected to be filled in the coming month by the Township Board, including two terms on the township Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission and the marina committee.

Applications may be made at the township office office off Lincoln Road. More information is available by calling 946-0921.

In other business at the 1½-hour meeting, the board:

• Allocated $5,000 to help pay for a county Road Commission project to repave and improve drainage on Meadowbrook Drive.

• Referred to the township fire chief a request by the United Boaters for Elmwood Township (UBET) organization to hold a “blessing of the fleet” event at the township marina.

• Adopted sewer and water specification updates as recommended by the Grand Traverse County Department of Public Works.