Present were Kenneth Vredenburg, Elizabeth G. Carr, Connie Scott-Deputy Treasurer, John Conforte, and John Brockway. Absent was Carolyn Towsley.

There were four guests present.

Public Comment: Cameron Lorraine, the new factory manager at Ice Mountain, introduced himself. The plant currently employs 300 people. 240 are full time people. 60 are part-time employees. County Commissioner Art Adelman reported that the transfer of the Mecosta County Medical Center to a Spectrum facility takes full effect July 1, 2013.

Minutes: Moved by John Conforte, supported by Kenneth Vredenburg to approve the minutes with correction: New Business 1. Century Tel ‘Franchise’ instead of ‘Contract’. Motion carried.

Finance Report: We have received our Revenue Sharing check. Isabella Bank sent a ‘Thank You’ card for switching our accounts to their bank.

Payment of the Bills: Moved by John Conforte, supported by Kenneth Vredenburg to pay the bills. Approved for payment: Township check #’s7991-8016 and Cemetery check #’s 1476-1478. Presented for review: Fire Department check #’s 4754-4764 and First Responder #’s1352-1360. Motion carried.

Unfinished Business:

1. Fire Department and First Responder Report: The next Fire Board Meeting is tomorrow night, May 15, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. The Fire Department received a letter from DTE saying there was a problem with the meter. After a technician’s examination it was determined the meter hadn’t been working properly since January. As the Fire Department has paid the estimated invoices that were sent in the interim, and as the meter is owned and operated by DTE, it is Austin Township’s opinion that DTE is responsible for any difference in real and estimated billing. There should be no extra cost to the Fire Department.

2. Assessor/Supervisor Report: The Cemetery Board purchased markers to be used with burial urns. The cemetery raking by the Senor class did not go as well as years past. Morley Stanwood school administration moved the time that the Senor class would come to rake until the afternoon. There was not sufficient time for the class to finish the raking before the end of the school day. Austin Township has asked for a return to a morning raking schedule.

3. Treasurer’s Report: Carolyn Towsley is getting the newsletter ready to print to send with the summer tax bills. If you have anything you want included in the newsletter please get it to Carolyn as soon as possible.

4. Clerk’s Report: The School Election went well, but was an extremely slow day. There were 79 votes cast. It does not look like there will be a state election in August. We will see if there is legislation from Lansing ready for a November election.

5. Roads: The signs are up on Buchanan Road.

New Business:

1. Brining: Austin Township will sign up for the one free brining but not pay for an extra brining this year.

2. Parking Lot Paving: Moved by Elizabeth G. Carr, supported by John Brockway to accept the bid by B & E Coating to coat the parking lot of the Township Hall as soon as their schedule permits. 50% will be paid up front and 50% on completion. Motion carried.

3. MTA on the Road: Moved by Kenneth Vredenburg, supported by John Brockway to send one board member to the MTA on the Road conference in Mt. Pleasant on June 13, 2013. Motion carried.

4. Ice Mountain: There will be an Ice Mountain Meeting here at the Township Hall on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 10:00 a.m.

Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Elizabeth G. Carr

Austin Township