Niles Charter Township Trustees approved an amendment to the Southwestern Michigan Community Ambulance Service’s articles of incorporation that will allow Milton and Pokagon townships to retain the right to vote until their respective contracts expire.

The amendment, approved at Monday’s meeting, also allows the townships the option to “buy in” to become an owner municipality of SMCAS, although no one is certain what the buy-in price will be.

“The board and the municipalities will have to figure out what is the proper way to buy in to it,” said Jim Ringler, township treasurer.

Owner municipalities, or constituent members, of the ambulance service include Niles, Niles Township, Buchanan, Buchanan Township, Bertrand Township and Howard Township.

While Milton Township’s contract expires in about eight years, SMCAS Executive Director Tim Gray said the contract situation with Pokagon is unclear as the township has an open-ended contract.

“Pokagon’s is in the process of being reworked now,” he said. “Right now they have a non-expiring.”

Gray said the amendment allows other municipalities to buy in to SMCAS and gain voting rights as well.

Niles Township is the first owner municipality to approve the amendment. It will go before the others for approval in the coming weeks.

Also Monday, the council:

• Offered to hire Peg Hartman as a part-time zoning administrator and code enforcement officer at a yearly salary of $23,600. She has not yet accepted the offer.

• Heard a report from Supervisor Jim Stover that the rough winter has delayed efforts by Enbridge to complete restoration and cleanup work following the Line 6B pipeline replacement project. He said Enbridge plans to have the work done by the end of August.

• Extended the open burning period through June 15.