MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - The Meridian Township Board has come to the decision for who will serve as the new Township Treasurer.

After receiving six applications for the Treasurer vacancy the Board selected Township Trustee Phil Deschaine as the next Township Treasurer.

On Saturday, November 17 the Meridian Township Board held a special meeting to interview and consider the finalists for the Township Treasurer vacancy after voters elected Township Treasurer Julie Brixie to the 69th District State House of Representatives.

“I am deeply humbled and honored to be appointed as the next Treasurer of Meridian Township,” said Township Trustee Phil Deschaine, “I have a passion for our community and after 30 years of private sector management experience, I am very happy to step up to this position as Treasurer of Meridian Township. I take the trust placed in me by the citizens of Meridian Township very seriously and I will work very hard, and with all due diligence, to continue the fiscally sound collection and investment practices put in place by Treasurer Julie Brixie and her staff.”

After eighteen years of service to Meridian Township on the Township Board, Treasurer Brixie announced that Friday, December 7 will be her final day. Trustee Deschaine will take office as Township Treasurer on December 10. A swearing-in date is yet to be announced.

Trustee Deschaine will begin training with Treasurer Brixie immediately. The Treasurer’s Office is required by law to receive and take charge of all funds belonging to the Township and funds which are required by law to be paid into the Township Treasury. The Treasurer is also required to pay out funds to local school districts and other governmental units, according to the district’s tax rate. The Treasurer also oversees the investment of temporary surplus funds with the emphasis on the safety of the principal as required by state law.

Township Manager Frank Walsh stated that the selection process to fill Trustee Deschaine’s seat will begin soon.