Worth Township appointed a new treasurer at their monthly meeting Wednesday night, with John Shea stepping into the role.
The appointment followed the formal acceptance of out-going treasurer Jennifer Woodruff’s resignation, which was submitted last month on Wednesday, March 25. The move follows repeated calls by the board and township citizens for her to resign alongside former township clerk Jennifer Marshall, in light of a December audit finding alleged negligence of duties and unauthorized compensation by the clerk and treasurer.
Shea was praised extensively by the board for his help as deputy clerk and then deputy treasurer in the past few months. Shea has extensive background with financial work, having worked as cash manager for several major companies such as Chrysler.
In addition to Shea’s appointment, the Worth Township Board issued a moratorium on new short-term rental permits, based on recent legal rulings affirming local bans and restrictions.
The Michigan Supreme Court’s 2025 decision on short-term rentals upheld local restrictions, affirming that private deed restrictions and zoning ordinances can prohibit such rentals, and that municipalities can ban or regulate them. Thus, the township approved yesterday that no new permits for short-term rentals will be issued after the current date; existing permits will be honored for the 2026 summer season, but incomplete applications will be rejected. The moratorium is temporary, not an outright ban, allowing the township to evaluate future regulations.
Wednesday’s meeting also saw Marlette City Manager Christine Malzahn introducing herself to the board as an applicant for the open trustee position, which has yet to be filled. Malzahn highlighted her extensive municipal management experience, transparency advocacy, and willingness to serve despite full-time employment commitments, noting that Marlette’s mayor and council are aware of her application.
Township Trustee Doug Varty expressed doubt that Malzahn’s existing schedule would align with the township’s, with Varty saying that the position in itself is currently full-time as the township attempts to become state and IRS compliant again.
A formal meeting to appoint a new trustee has not yet been announced.
