Trustee Michael Schostak will become the next Bloomfield Township treasurer at 5:31 p.m. Aug. 31, following the resignation of Brian Kepes.

Trustee Michael Schostak will become the next Bloomfield Township treasurer at 5:31 p.m. Aug. 31, following the resignation of Brian Kepes.

Photo provided by Bloomfield Township


Bloomfield Township seeks applications to fill vacancy

Shostak to replace Kepes as treasurer following resignation

By: Mary Beth Almond | Birmingham-Bloomfield Eagle | Published August 23, 2023

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BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — Brian Kepes, the treasurer for the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees, has stepped down from his position.

Kepes announced his resignation in a letter, which was given to Clerk Martin Brook during the July 24 Board of Trustees meeting and unanimously accepted by the board Aug. 14.

“Effective 5:30 p.m. Aug. 31, 2023, I hereby resign from my position of Bloomfield Township Treasurer. I am grateful to have been entrusted by our community to serve in various appointed and elected positions. For 30 years, I have treasured all of them,” Kepes said in the letter.

Supervisor Dani Walsh said Kepes has shown love for Bloomfield Township for many decades.

“Whether it’s serving on the ZBA, the Planning Commission, as a trustee or treasurer, you have put your whole heart into it,” she said to Kepes during the meeting. “Your impact is seen, not only in your leadership and the changes you made to investments that help put us in a better position — even during a global pandemic — but also the many hours you spent with residents, employees and board members, reaching out to you for advice. You not only made a positive impact on the community, but you are also doing what many athletes and musicians dream of, but simply don’t do — you’re going out on top.”

Trustee Michael Schostak, who was first elected to the Board of Trustees in November 2016, was slated to become the next Bloomfield Township treasurer at 5:31 p.m. Aug. 31. The motion passed with a 5-0 vote, with Schostak and Kepes abstaining.

“He has the financial background, the knowledge of how different markets work and investment knowledge, but, as important as the technical skills that he does have, it’s the type of person that he is that he brings to that position … He’s a gentleman, he’s respectful, and he enjoys working with different people,” said Trustee Neal Barnett.

On Aug. 31, there will be a trustee vacancy on the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees, for a term of office expiring in November 2024.

“The township board has 45 days from the vacancy to make an appointment for the new trustee,” said Derk Beckerleg, township attorney.”In this case (that) would be Oct. 15, which would give Oct. 9, 2023, as the last regular board meeting to make that appointment.”

Interested candidates must have resided in Bloomfield Township for 30 days or more, be at least 18 years old and be registered to vote in the township. To be considered, candidates must meet the minimum qualifications and submit a letter of interest, a current resume and written responses to a series of questions compiled by board members, which can be found on the township website. All application items must be received by the township Clerk’s Office, 4200 Telegraph Road, no later than 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20. The application package may be delivered  in person, by U.S. mail, or by email to clerk@bloomfieldtwp.org.

All applicants are invited to attend the regularly scheduled board meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 26, to address trustees for up to three minutes concerning their application, although a verbal statement at the meeting is not required.

The board will then review and consider information from all applicants and select a person to appoint.

“I’m looking forward to residents learning about this and, hopefully, applying,” said Trustee Stephanie Fakih.

For more information, contact Township Clerk Martin Brook at (248) 433-7702 or clerk@bloomfieldtwp.org.

 

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