MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - The Township Board moved to discuss the Meridian Cares Pandemic Support fund at the Tuesday night Zoom meeting.

$180,000 was planned to be distributed into 45 grants of $4,000 each after funds were re-appropriated from the redevelopment fund to the new Meridian Township COVID-19 Small Business Grant Assistance Program. However, only 42 grants were issued, leaving the Board with $12,000 left.

Tonight, the relocation was on the Board discussion items list to put the remainder of the money into the Meridian Cares fund. Three members vocalized their support.

The redistribution of these funds would be legal due to the Emergency Management Act that allows for the Township to appropriate and expand funds in cases of emergency assistance.

Trustee Dan Opsommer is one member supporting the reallocation. Opsommer said that he would like to expand the scope that the fund covers to better support the community by granting them the assistance needed. An example of this, Oposmmer said, is being open and flexible with broadband internet now that virtual learning has become a necessity.

The increase in the flexibility with the money is also a concern for supporting Trustee Courtney Wisinski.

“A lot of folks who have healthcare don’t have mental healthcare, and it’s a really stressful situation right now for kids and for anyone,” said Wisinski.

Clerk Brett Dreyfus is another member in support.

“We are going to see some real need in this township and in this state, and having some additional fund in this Meridian Cares will be an essential lifeline for many families in this township,” said Dreyfus.

The reallocation of these funds was moved to be put on the action agenda for the next Board meeting on June 16.