Banks Township Board Meeting

Monday May 21, 2007

1. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Supervisor Thomas Mann. Present were Supervisor Mann, Treasurer Katy Postmus, Trustee Marvin Rubingh, Trustee Mark DeKorne and Deputy Clerk Hellen Allen. Absent Clerk Donna Heeres. Also present: Dave Heeres, Scott Papineau, Betty Stephen, John Shafranski, Hugh Campbell, Doug Newton, Vince Olach, Chuck Fox, Isabelle Peterson, Chet Drenth, Sandy Miles, and Linda Gallagher.

2. The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. Trustee Rubingh offered prayer.

3. The Supervisor varied the agenda to present the Citizen of the Year Award. This award was organized by the Pig Roast Committee and nominations were sought from Township residents via the Township Newsletter distribution. Several nominations were received. A panel of judges from the East Jordan Chamber of Commerce selected the recipient. Supervisor Mann presented the award to Chester Drenth, after noting Chet’s many accomplishments and contributions to the Banks Township community.

4. A short recess was held to hold a reception for Chet, served by the Ellsworth Lioness Club and provided by the Pig Roast Committee.

5. The minutes of the April Regular Board meeting were reviewed. MOTION Rubingh, DeKorne, CARRIED to approve the minutes as presented. The minutes of the April 24 Special Board meeting were reviewed. MOTION Rubingh, DeKorne, CARRIED to approve the minutes as presented.

6. The treasurer’s report of incomes and balances was given. General Fund Balance: $284,807.50, with $160,000 due from the Fire Fund. Fire Fund Balance: $140,072.31; Liquor Fund Balance: $1,550.11; Road Fund Balance: $93,271.63; Grand Total: $519,701.55.

7. Public Comment: Betty Stephen, applicant, and Scott Papineau of Ferguson & Chamberlin Surveyors, addressed the Board with the application for rezoning.

8. Public Comment: Chuck Fox addressed the Board with plans to hold a fireworks display over St Clair Lake on July 3. He asked that the Fire Dept. be on stand by during the display. Discussion was held about the possibility of holding the fireworks in conjunction with the Pig Roast.

9. Public Comment: Dave Heeres addressed the Board and shared that the final occupancy permit has been issued for the new office. He reported that the outside railing is his gift to the Township. He had planned a wolmanized railing but decided the iron railing fits the style of the building better. He contracted Ed Fralick to build & install the decorative iron railing. The additional cost of approximately $1000 is his gift. Final bill for the countertops will be submitted soon.

10. Rezoning Request: Betty Stephen’s request for rezoning her two parcels in Sections 12 and 13 of Range 9 West of Banks Township was brought before the Board. The Township Planning Commission rejected the application on a 2-2 vote. The Antrim County Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the request. Discussion was held on the basis for the decisions. MOTION was made by Mann, supported by Postmus, to approve the request and rezone the two parcels from Agricultural to R-1. YEAS: Mann, Postmus. NAYS: Rubingh, DeKorne. Absent: Heeres. Motion FAILED.

11. Cemeteries: DeKorne reported on the cemeteries. The Veterans’ Memorial at Atwood Cemetery has been completed with plantings by Postmus. The dedication of the Memorial will be held during the annual Memorial Day Service at 10 AM.

12. Planning Commission: No report. Rubingh missed the meeting due to illness.

13. Zoning Administrator Contract with Andrew Veenstra has been signed. Andy has been busy with permits and phone calls.

14. Village Projects: Mayor Hugh Campbell addressed the Board on the status of the Main Street paving project. The final layer of asphalt is scheduled to be completed by June 1^st. Supervisor Mann thanked the Village for the use of the backhoe for clean up day. Joint meeting with Banks Township Board and Ellsworth Village Council was set for Tuesday, May 29 @ 7 PM. Purpose of the meeting is to develop a common vision and goals for the community.

15. Fire Department: Report for the six months ended April 30, 2007 was shared.

16. Library Contracts: Supervisor Mann will meet with Jordan Valley District Library Board on May 23 to offer the contract.

17. Roads: Supervisor was contacted by Richard Friske and Versile Klooster with requests for gravel to be added to their roads (Doctor Road and Klooster Road). Supervisor will refer these requests to the Roads Committee for review. Also, Supervisor received an email request from Don Binns of Lakeshore Drive with a request for grading of that road. He has sent the request to the Road Commission.

18. Bills represented by the attached list were presented for approval for payment. MOTION Rubingh, Mann, CARRIED to approve the bills as presented.

19. The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Hellen Allen

Banks Township Deputy Clerk