1. The meeting was called to order at
2.
The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. Trustee DeKorne offered
prayer.
3. The minutes of the January Regular Board meeting were reviewed. MOTION Mann, DeKorne,
CARRIED to approve the minutes with the following amendments: Item #7 amend
time of Bd of Review Organizational meeting to
4. The treasurer’s report of incomes and balances was given. General Fund Balance: $317,475.49 with $120,000.00
due from the Fire Fund; Fire Fund: $161,660.22; Liquor Fund: $1,902.55; Road
Fund: $82,270.81; Grand Total: $563,309.07.
Summer Tax Collection is at 96% collected for total receipts of $902,497.36. Winter Tax Collection is at 90% collected for
total receipts of $1,336,837.73.
5. Public
Comment: There was none.
6. Insurance
Proposal: Adam Gandolfi of Municipal Underwriters
of Michigan (The Par Plan) presented a proposal for renewal of our municipal
insurance package. The savings by
increasing deductibles from $100 to $250 or $500 was substantial. Adam explained types of coverage and the values
of buildings and vehicles were discussed.
7.
The regular meeting was recessed and the Fire District Budget Public Hearing was called to order at
8.
Supervisor Mann presented his proposed
fire budget with a .88 mil levy.
Questions were answered and comments heard. Supervisor Mann thanked the Fire Dept and
Chief Groenink in particular for their great efforts
and for not requesting frivolous expenditures.
The Public Hearing was adjourned at
9.
The regular meeting was reconvened at
10.
Fire Board meeting was held
this evening. Requests for a diagnostics
kit at $350 plus S/H, Backpack water pumps for $538 plus S/H for 4 packs, a
prepaid cell phone for $140 less rebate were approved by the Fire Board. MOTION Rubingh, DeKorne, CARRIED to approve the purchase of the diagnostics
kit and water pumps as described above and NOT APPROVE the purchase of a cell
phone.
11.
Rescue licensure: Don Frosty
presented information about increasing the licensure of the Rescue squad from
First Responder level to Basic Care, non-transport. This increase would allow the responders to
use Epipens, Nitroglycerin, charcoal, aspirin
etc. The requirement for assured
coverage of 1
12.
Zoning Administrator Report:
Clerk Heeres reported for the Zoning Administrator that the owners of a
business that was established illegally within the township has filed
bankruptcy and has left the state.
13. Clean Up Day: Treasurer Postmus reported that she contacted
American Waste to confirm our date and obtain a contract for Clean Up Day and was told that we were not on the schedule. The only date that was still available for us
was Saturday, May 10. The contract was
received in the mail today and shows a cost of $40 per compacted yard and a
time of
14.
Planning Commission: Trustee Rubingh
reported that draft amendments to allow cell towers and windmills closer to
property lines are being worked on by the Planning Commission. A proposal for a map revision is also being
discussed.
15.
Fair Tax Proposal: Trustee Rubingh reported on the proposal and announced that
petitions are available for electors to sign to get the proposal on the
November 2008 ballot.
16.
Insurance: MOTION Rubingh, DeKorne, CARRIED to accept the proposal of Municipal
Underwriters of Michigan with $500 deductibles.
This will save the township approximately $6300 over last year.
17.
Internet: Cherry Capital
Connections recently worked on the internet receivers at the hall and upgraded
them at no cost to us.
18.
Salary Resolution: MOTION DeKorne,
Heeres, to keep the salaries at the same level as 2007-08. Discussion was held. Roll Call Vote: Rubingh
Yes, DeKorne Yes, Mann No, Postmus No, Heeres
No. MOTION FAILED. MOTION Mann, Postmus, Carried
to set the salaries for Supervisor at $11,500; Clerk at $19,000; Treasurer at
$16,000; Trustees at $2,000. Roll Call
Vote: Rubingh Yes, DeKorne
Yes, Mann Yes, Postmus Yes, Heeres Yes.
MOTION CARRIED.
20.
DEQ Violation notices: Clerk
received notice of violations on Beson and Donaldson
properties.
21.
Elections: Clerk Heeres
reports two nominating petitions were filed for the two open positions on the
school board. The Election is scheduled
for May 6. Nominating petitions for township office and county convention
precinct delegates must be filed by May 13.
22.
23.
A thank you note from the
Ellsworth High School Student Council was received. They were most appreciative of being allowed
to use the Hall for their Homecoming Dance on February 2.
24.
Meeting Dates: Changed the date for Budget preparation
meeting to Thursday, March 20 at
25.
Shop Local Program: Clerk Heeres reports the letters are
ready to be mailed. The list of
recipients was distributed and additions/corrections were made.
26.
M-32 Extension/Breezeway: Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March
25 at
27.
Planning Together Workshop: Attendance was down slightly this year. Ideas for improvement were discussed: more interaction, goal setting, a speaker from the area on a hot topic, more advance
planning for the event.
28.
NLEA Luncheon scheduled for
March 7 at
29.
Internet Payback for
officials was discussed and Supervisor Mann reminded the Board members to
submit their bills prior to the March 24 meeting.
30. Road
Plan for 2008: Estimates and needs were reviewed.
31.
Online Tax Information: Treasurer
Postmus reports there have been 66 hits so far.
The cost to continue this service after the free 90 day trial period is
$2000. She does not recommend we
continue the service based upon the cost.
32.
Bills represented by the
attached list were presented for approval for payment. MOTION Mann, DeKorne,
CARRIED to approve the bills as presented.
33. The meeting was adjourned at
Respectfully submitted,
Donna L. Heeres