The Leelanau Township Board at its regular meeting on Aug. 14 regretfully accepted a letter of resignation from Deb Serwin, zoning administrator for the township, effective as of Sept. 19.

In her letter, Serwin said she wanted to spend more time at home.

The board also approved the hiring of Steve Patmore as the township’s new zoning administrator. Patmore, who filled in for Serwin last year while she was on a leave of absence, is also the zoning administrator for Suttons Bay and Bingham townships, and the sewer administrator for Leland Township.

In other business:

• Eric Gustafson, of Traverse City, has been hired as a firefighter for the Leelanau Township fire department, though his employment is subject to passing a physical examination. Jim Neve, township supervisor, said Gustafson is already a trained firefi ghter and the township also had turnout gear that would fit him. Gustafson is currently a firefighter with the Grand Traverse Metro Fire Department.

“It made a really inexpensive addition to our fire department,” Neve said.

• Township trustees approved a new health insurance policy that will have them paying higher deductibles. The policy is with the same company — Priority Health, and is still a health savings account, Neve said. The township, which has 10 employees covered by health insurance, was looking at a 25 percent increase in premiums this year. The township will still pay a 6 percent increase in premiums under the new policy.

• Held a public hearing for any citizen wanting to not be included in the phragmites eradication zone. No citizens came forward to comment or to opt out, Neve said. For the past three years under various grants the Leelanau Conservation District has had a contract to spray the invasive phragmites on the shoreline. Before spraying is done property owners must be notified by mail and a public hearing must be held. There is no cost to the township or property owners for the service.

“We’ve never had anyone object to it,” Neve said.