Present were Kenneth Vredenburg, Elizabeth G. Carr, Carolyn Towsley, John Brockway, and John Conforte.

There was one guest.

There was no Public Comment.

Minutes: Moved by Carolyn Towsley, supported by John Brockway to accept the minutes with correction. "Clerk’s Report: There will be a school election on May 7, 2013." Motion carried.

Financial Report: The final settlement for Austin Township is $273,688.83 with $4,811.44 in delinquent taxes. There are several old outstanding checks that will need to be resolved in preparation to close the Chemical Bank accounts.

Payment of the Bills: Moved by Carolyn Towsley, supported by John Brockway to pay Township check #’s Chemical Bank 7959-7960/Isabella Bank 7975-7990 and to include the Deluxe Checks invoice and corrected wages check to Russell Hopkins. To pay Cemetery check # 1465. To present for review: Fire Department check #’s: Chemical Bank 4746/Isabella Bank 4750-4753; First Responder check #’s Chemical Bank 1345-1346/Isabella Bank 1350-1351. Motion carried.

Unfinished Business:

1. Fire Department and First Responder Report: The Fire Board met on March 20, 2013. Marv Bell was re-elected as Fire Chief. The Fire Department and First Responder agreements were reviewed and approved in their current form. The First Responders are redrafting SOG #4 to allow for the hiring of persons interested in just serving in the capacity of First Responder and not with the Fire Department. John Conforte was introduced as the new Austin Township member-at-large to the Fire Board. The position of secretary will be announced at the next board meeting. The 2012-2013 year end settlements and the new 2013-2014 Budgets were approved. There were 12 fire runs. The Mecosta Austin Fire Department had a special meeting on drivers responsibility. Mecosta County will be going to a county wide accountability system for all the fire departments. We will need to purchase 20 clips and rings. The fire department will start labeling their equipment to ensure their proper return when there is an event, such as the ice jam, that includes multiple departments. The joint training exercise at Ferris State University went very well. The 6x6 should be in full operation by grass season.

2. Assessor/Supervisor Report: Board of Review is done and closed. There are several issues to discuss with the County Road Commission. The new road limit signs are not up on Buchanan Road yet. There is one mile of tree clearing that still needs to be done on 9 Mile Road. Hopefully we will be able to stump and gravel 9 Mile this summer.

3. Treasurer’s Report: Moved by Kenneth Vredenburg, supported by Carolyn Towsley to appoint Connie Scott as the new Deputy Treasurer. Motion carried.

4. Clerk’s Report: 59 Absent Voter applications have been sent for the May 7, 2013 Morley Stanwood School Election. Austin Township will continue to participate in the Voting System

Extended Warranty Billing for the Tabulator and AutoMark. We received another fill from Holton’s LP Gas Company which leaves us with a $43.32 credit in our account.

New Business:

1. Century Tel Contract Renewal: Moved by John Brockway, supported by Elizabeth G. Carr to renew the contract with Century Tel. Motion carried.

2. Dymo Printer: Moved by Kenneth Vredenburg, supported by Carolyn Towsley to purchase a Dymo Label Printer for the Clerk’s office. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

Elizabeth G. Carr