Banks Township Board Meeting
Monday January 16, 2006
1. The meeting was
called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Supervisor Thomas Mann. Present were Supervisor
Mann, Clerk Donna Heeres, Treasurer Katy Postmus, Trustee Marvin Rubingh, Trustee
Mark DeKorne. Also present: Jack & Josette Costolo, Steve Hicks, Dwain
Abramowski. Myron Postmus arrived at 7:45 PM. John Hastings arrived at 8:10 PM.
2. Supervisor Mann
lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Trustee DeKorne opened the meeting with prayer.
3. The minutes of
the December 19, 2005, Regular Board meeting were read. MOTION Rubingh,
DeKorne, CARRIED to approve the minutes as presented. The minutes of the
January 4, 2006, Special Meeting with the Planning Commission, ZBA, Assessors,
Zoning Administrator and Planning Consultant were read. MOTION Postmus,
Rubingh, CARRIED to approve the minutes as read.
4. The treasurer’s
report of incomes and balances was given. General Fund Balance: $183,846.74
with $200,000 due from the Fire Fund; Fire Fund Balance: $108,532.53; Roads
Fund Balance: -$4,177.72; Liquor Fund Balance: $1,892.88; Grand Total:
$290,094.43. Summer Taxes are 94% collected. Winter Taxes are 52% collected.
5. Interest
Transfers: MOTION Postmus, Mann, CARRIED to transfer from the General Fund to
the Fire Fund $1,028.91, to the Liquor Fund $23.21, Fund to the Roads Fund
$274.75 to represent interest earned.
6. Public Comment:
Jack Costolo addressed the Board and stated that Wayne Boss attended the Antrim
County Road Commission meeting on December 20 and scheduled a meeting with the
Commission to outline his plans. Mr. Costolo expressed concerns that the
proposed road path is "less safe" due to increased number and
severity of curves. The Township or the DNR can claim possession of existing
roadway if abandoned. He stated that three people, who don’t live on the road,
want it changed; those living there don’t.
7. Public Comment:
Steve Hicks addressed the Board questioning if Mr. Boss has shown any evidence
of support.
8. Public Comment:
Dwain Abramowski addressed the Board and stated that the Township Board has the
responsibility to look out for the good of the community. He requested the
community’s position be shared with the Road Commission. Supervisor Mann has
been in communication with the Antrim County Road Commission regarding the
Township Board’s position. He advised the citizens present to continue to stay
in contact with the ACRC, emphasizing their position on the issues.
9. The meeting was
recessed at 8:00PM for 10 minutes to move old township records to the
Historical Society Museum.
10. Township Hall:
John Hastings met with Doug TerHorst of Page Hardware. The door was measured
and a new proposal presented to replace the door, using a metal door jam over
the existing wood as it is in good condition. The revised price is $1978,
approximately $300 less than the original proposal. A new light was placed over
both entry doors and the electrical switches were modified to permit turning
interior lights on/off by the door. The announcement board and trapezoidal
table have been delivered. Postmus & Heeres sorted through the two closets
of old records and arranged for transfer of those of historical value to the
Historical Society. Record retention list was consulted to assure proper
retention of the records. The shelves in the closets were repaired and modified
to store the audio equipment.
11. Roads: Paving
projects were discussed. Supervisor Mann was contacted by Supervisor Stan Bean
of Central Lake Township to discuss paving of Crawford Road. Estimate for
paving 2540 feet of Crawford Road is $74,311. Proposed cost sharing with CL
Township would be 50/50. Hillman Road paving estimated at $13,741 with 50/50
cost share with the developer of Hillman Hills Subdivision. ($6,870) Estimate
for paving Sinclair Road to the top of the hill is $8,724. Commitment to
Village of Ellsworth for the Main Street project is $8,000. Tyrell Beach Road
estimate is $23,271. MOTION Mann, DeKorne CARRIED to pave Sinclair Road to the
top of the hill and pave Hillman Road.
12. Attorney
Retainer/Billing: Clerk contacted Bryan Graham with the Board’s concerns on the
proposal. Attorney is willing to bill either way. Clerk was directed to confirm
the rate with the attorney and request quarterly billing based on use. The
Board is concerned over the loss of risk insurance and is disappointed in the
revised billing.
13. Fire Dept.:
Supervisor is working on the budget proposal for next year. Public Hearing on
the Fire Budget will be held during the February 20 board meeting. Contract
with South Arm Township was reviewed. There were three rescue runs and one fire
run in the Nov 2004 through Oct 2005 billing period. The fire run utilized 87.5
man hours and 7 units. The contract is in need of review. Need to advise the
South Arm Township Board of the costs involved with providing the service and
request assistance in covering the increased costs.
14. Planning
Commission: The Land Use Map revision was approved by the Planning Commission.
MOTION Rubingh, Mann, CARRIED to approve the revision as developed by the
Planning Commission. There was no Planning Commission meeting in January. A
public hearing is being scheduled for February or March on a request for
approval of 152 units in the Antrim Dells Subdivision.
15. Cemeteries:
Plans are being developed for the Veterans’ Memorial in the Atwood Cemetery.
Trustee DeKorne is working with Phil Edwards on this project.
16. Board of
Review: Sandy Alward has resigned effective immediately. Discussed potential
candidates. Supervisor will make contacts and plan to appoint a replacement at
the February meeting.
17. March meeting:
will be rescheduled for March 27 to assure all bills are in and approved by the
end of the fiscal year. Budget hearings will be held on March 27.
18. Bills
represented by the attached list were presented for approval for payment.
MOTION Postmus, Mann, CARRIED to approve the bills as presented.
19. The meeting was
adjourned at 10:05 P.M.
Respectfully
submitted,
Donna L. Heeres
Banks Township
Clerk