The Austin Township Board Meeting was called to order on January 8, 2013 at 7:35 p.m. by Supervisor Kenneth Vredenburg at the Township Hall at 14132 Pierce Rd, Stanwood, MI, 49346.
Present were: Kenneth Vredenburg, Elizabeth G. Carr, Carolyn Towsley, John Brockway, and John Conforte.
Three guests were present.
Public Comment: Isabella Bank Representatives presented details of the services they offer. Some services they offer are: insured accounts up to $250,000.00, electronic services, .12% interest on checking, and no charge for bank statements. They have offices in Canadian Lakes, Big Rapids, Remus, Mount Pleasant, Greenville, etc.
Minutes: Moved by John Conforte, supported by Carolyn Towsley, to accept the minutes with corrections. #3 Treasurer’s Report should read: "Moved by Carolyn Towsley, supported by Elizabeth G. Carr to accept the contract presented by the Chippewa Hills School District to collect their Summer 2013 taxes." #5 K-9 Unit should read: "Moved by Carolyn Towsley, supported by John Conforte to amend the budget to take a onetime fee of $1000.00 out of Township Capitol Outlay 900-971 and move it to Contracted Services under Public Safety 336-810 to contribute towards the creation of a K-9 Unit for the County of Mecosta." Motion carried.
Financial Report: We have received the Swampland Tax and the Revenue Sharing check. 1 CD will expire in April.
Payment of the Bills: Moved by Carolyn Towsley, supported by John Conforte to pay the bills. Presented for payment were Township-check #’s 7900-7914 and Cemetery check #’s 1459-1460. Presented for review were Fire Department check #’s 4706-4708 and First Responder check # 1328. Motion carried. Moved by Carolyn Towsley, supported by John Conforte to purchase the safe for $1000.00. Motion carried.
Unfinished Business:
1. Fire Department and First Responder Report: There will be a Fire Board Meeting on January 16, 2013 at 7 p.m.
2. Assessor/Supervisor Report: Moved by Kenneth Vredenburg, supported by Carolyn Towsley to appoint Russell Hopkins, Gloria Parker, and Ronald L. Jensen to the Board of Review. Motion carried. The Board of Review will be meeting in March. The county is looking at an ordinance concerning the possession of chickens in a residential area. They would appreciate input from the township. Personal Property tax will be passing and will start taking affect in the 2014 FY. The township could lose about $15,000.00 by the end of the phasing out period in ten years.
3. Treasurer’s Report: 47% of the taxpayers have paid and 39% of the taxes are in. I attended the Economic Development Meeting and was able to talk about the Amish Auction and there pumpkin auction.
4. Clerk’s Report: I received an email from the Frontier representative. She apologized for the delay in switching our phone plan. She has been sick. I have received the correction paperwork from the IRS on the incorrect 941 payments for the First Responders and the
Township. A credit of $196.00 will be applied to the First Responder account and a credit of $24.88 will be applied to the Township account.
5. Roads: Moved by Carolyn Towsley, supported by John Brockway to adopt Ordinance 2013 #001 to prohibit through commercial truck traffic on 8 Mile Road east to 155th Avenue. Enforcement will be through Mecosta County. The ordinance to take effect thirty days after publication in the Pioneer Newspaper.
Carolyn Towsley-yes John Conforte-yes
John Brockway-yes Elizabeth G. Carr-yes
Kenneth Vredenburg-yes
Motion approved. We received the Road Commission estimate on paving 180th Ave from 11 Mile Road – Johnson Road. The estimate is $205,008.00. We will not be paving 180th this year but we will continue to ask for estimates in the future. The Road Commission did do some work on the trees on 9 Mile Road, but hasn’t finished the project yet.
Adjourned 9 p.m.
Elizabeth G. Carr
Austin Township Clerk