1. The meeting
was called to order at
2. The meeting was opened with the Pledge of
Allegiance. Trustee Rubingh
offered prayer.
3. The minutes
of the December Regular Board meeting were reviewed. MOTION Rubingh,
Postmus, CARRIED to approve the minutes with the following amendments: Item #7
add the word “CARRIED” after the motion and support. Item #9 the
fourth sentence to read: Rubingh reported that he has
been approached re: leasing property for wind tower use. Item #18 add sentence to end of paragraph:
The Township Board extends its gratitude on behalf of the community to all
involved in this project for their contributions. THANK YOU
4. The
treasurer’s report of incomes and balances was given. General Fund Balance: $291,225.00 with $120,000.00
due from the Fire Fund; Fire Fund: $139,149.77; Liquor Fund: $1,895.34; Road
Fund: $54,101.23; Grand Total: $486,371.34.
Summer Tax Collection is at 93% collected for total receipts of $71,850.48. Winter Tax Collection is at 52% collected for
total receipts of $763,949.11.
5. Public
Comment: There was none.
6. Combination
of parcels, vacation of dedicated path within platted subdivision: Tom
Cooper addressed the Board with surveys of the existing plat of Wilson Shores
Subdivision and his proposal to consolidate 8 platted lots into two
parcels. Additionally, a 10 ft path that
was dedicated for the back lots to access the lake will no longer be needed and
is proposed to be vacated. Two other
property owners, representing the remaining four lots within the subdivision,
have been contacted for approval of this vacation and have agreed to it. It is the opinion of the surveyor (John
Ferguson) and legal counsel (Ed Engstrom) that these
two procedures can be completed with final approval of the township board. Zoning Administrator Andy Veenstra gave his
opinion that the existing dwelling on newly formed parcel B will meet the
setbacks as described in the zoning ordinance.
Assessor Amy Jenema reviewed the survey and
determined that the reconfiguration meets requirements. MOTION was made by Rubingh,
supported by Mann, to approve the vacation of the path contingent upon written
approval from both other property owners within the plat and approve the parcel
reconfiguration based upon survey by Ferguson & Chamberlain Associates,
Inc., dated
7. Assessor: Amy Jenema
addressed the Board requesting approval of the Board of Review starting date of
8. Zoning
Administrator: Andy Veenstra
reported that he is continuing his investigation on two complaints.
9. Fire
Department: The Fire Board met earlier this evening. Department needs were reviewed and the Fire
Board recommended purchase of the following: 1) Grass Fire Truck replacement hi
pressure hose ½” x 200 ft of Goodyear Gorilla hose @ $2.49 per foot plus
couplers. Total Cost $507 plus
S&H. 2) Grass Fire Truck spray gun
757 Spraymaster by John Bean Spray Gun with swivel
for $188.95 plus S&H. 3) Supply hose
for pumper trucks 5” x 25ft large diameter hose with 4 ½ “ female fitting on one end, 6” female fitting
on the other end for total cost of $492 plus S&H. 4) Two 1 ½” nozzles @ $1150 total plus
S&H. 5) Six new helmets to replace
some that are more than 20 years old and damaged @ $253 each for total of $1528
plus S&H. 6) Equipment Truck needs
tire chains to get around in the snow.
Automatic tire chains, installed, total cost $1675 plus S&H. 7) Rescue Jump Bags for each station, total
cost $600, estimated, includes S&H.
MOTION Mann, DeKorne, CARRIED to approve the
purchases. Total of
$5531 + S&H for the Fire Dept and $600 for the Rescue Dept. Chief Groenink
reports that Bill Everett has joined the department. He has FFI & FFII training and is
receiving
10. Township
Hall: John Hastings approached the Board regarding use of the building for
the Homecoming Dance on February 2. The
Dance is sponsored by the Student Council.
Normal rental would be $35 for downstairs, $35 for upstairs and $50 for
the heat surcharge. MOTION Mann, Rubingh, CARRIED to waive the fees for the Homecoming Dance
this year.
11. Online
Tax Data Proposal: Postmus reports that the system will be set up
soon.
12. Planning Commission: Trustee Rubingh
reported that the PC meeting scheduled for January 8 was cancelled. The Planning Commission will meet following
the workshop on February 12.
13. Elections: Clerk Heeres reports that
344 people voted with 72 Democratic and 272 Republican ballots being
issued. That is 26.2% of registered
voters participating in the Presidential Primary Election. Additionally, 4 absent voter ballots were not
returned. The school election is
scheduled for May 6 with 2 school board candidates being up for election. Nominating petitions must be filed by
February 13. The August 5 primary will
include township board candidates.
Nominating petitions for township office and county convention precinct
delegates must be filed by May 13.
14. Conference Report: Clerk Heeres reports that attendance was down
about 400 people this year. The
educational sessions were all excellent.
15. Roads: 52 surveys were mailed to property owners on
16. Meeting
Dates: Special meeting set for
Tuesday February 12 @
17. DEQ
Violation Notice: Received violation notice re: removal of vegetation and
excavation to create a six foot wide pathway approximately 75 feet through
18. Sheriff
Report: There were 910 activities within
19. Insurance
Proposals: Clerk reports we should receive two proposals for our property
and liability insurance within the next two weeks.
20. Road Sign: The road sign north of Friske’s
Market on US 31 now correctly says “Atwood”.
21. Shop
Local Program: Supervisor Mann reports collection of business names and
addresses is progressing. He will try to
set up the program with letters and phone calls rather than trying to call a
meeting.
22. M-32
Extension/Breezeway: A meeting was held January 15. Attendance was good. Discussion centered on application for a
Category A status and an Economic Development Roads
Project Grant. The grant would cover 80%
of the costs of upgrading to Class A standards if the improvement will create
jobs along the corridor. The project
will tentatively be scheduled for 2010 to 2012.
Supervisor Mann expressed appreciation for the support of Burt Thompson
and Pat Harmon from the Antrim and Charlevoix County Road Commission and the
extra efforts of Jan Kellogg of the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance to promote
this project.
23. Zoning Board of Appeals: Supervisor
Mann appoints Jack Costolo to the ZBA to replace
David Muladore who was appointed to the Planning
Commission. Jack’s term will
expire
24.
25. Antrim
Creek Natural Area: Supervisor Mann re-appoints Gary Strange to the ACNA
Board for a three year term expiring
26. Bills
represented by the attached list were presented for approval for payment. MOTION Mann, DeKorne,
CARRIED to approve the bills as presented.
27. The
meeting was adjourned at
Respectfully
submitted,
Donna L.
Heeres