The Austin Township Board Meeting was called to order on February 14, 2012 at 7:33 p.m. by Supervisor Kenneth Vredenburg at the Township Hall at 14132 Pierce Road, Stanwood, MI, 49346

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

Minutes: Correction-New Business #1 should read: "Austin Township will roll over CD #022 for another year." The Township would also like it noted that Austin Township check #7665 to Rescue Resources LLC was written per motion at the January 10, 2012 board meeting. Austin Township check #7665 was subsequently voided and Fire Department check #4565 was written to Rescue Resources LLC. Moved by John Brockway, supported by John Conforte to accept the minutes with corrections. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report: CD #022 was rolled over for 18 months at .6% with a due date of July 23, 2013. We have received our Swampland Funds and Franchise check. The Fire Department received $510.00 from equipment that was taken to salvage. Moved by John Conforte, supported by John Brockway to approve the treasurer’s report. Carried subject to audit.

Payment of the Bills: Presented for payment: Austin Township check #’s 7663-7682 and Mecosta Austin Cemetery check #1436; and for review, Mecosta Austin Fire Department check #’s 4565-4578 and First Responders check #’s 1266-1279. Moved by John Brockway, supported by Carolyn Towsley to approve the payment of the bills with the addition of Fire Dept. check # 4579 for $385.00 to Douglas Safety Systems for fit tests. Motion carried.

Unfinished Business:

1. Fire Department and First Responder Report: They have not been able to secure any high-speed internet yet. Lettering and lights on the 6x6 will be done by the end of February. It must be in service by March 13, 2012. They were approved to purchase tires. Truck 3-21 has no offers yet and is stored at Mecosta Township. Our tank will be furnished by Crystal Flash with a $20.00/year fee. We need to get a story in the Pioneer about the purchase of JAWS and the donation we received from the Eagles. The ridge vent on the Fire Hall has a leak and will need to be repaired this summer.

2. Assessor/Supervisor Report: The Assessment Review notices will be coming soon. The Board of Review will meet on March 12th and 14th. The cell tower is in abeyance, but when their new budget is set, they may pick it up again.

3. Treasurer’s Report: I received the Morley Stanwood summer tax collection contract. It has been signed and returned. 90% of the summer taxes and 92% of the winter taxes are in.

4. Clerk’s Report: The redistricting changes should be done for Austin Township. The state contacted Marcee Purcell on February 3rd to say they were making the changes for Mecosta County. As of today I have sent 55 absentee ballots. 15 ballots have not been returned yet. There will be a May school election. I have Precinct Delegates forms if you know of anyone who wants to be a delegate. I will hand out the forms and petitions for all township official board positions at the next board meeting.

 

5. Roads: We will only look at repaving from 125th -140th Avenue. The estimate doesn’t include any culverts. The cost will probably be $200,000.00. We have put $250,000.00 in the budget. We will have the County go ahead with the bids. Brining-if the county offers a free brining we will take it. Otherwise we will save our money for big projects.

6. Budget: The new BS&A.Net program for the Assessor and Treasurer will cost $4,100.00, with discounts, if we purchase the program this year with the county. If we purchase the program we will need to update our computers to support the program. Moved by Elizabeth G. Carr, supported by Carolyn Towsley to purchase BS&A.Net at the best price possible. Motion carried. We will need to increase Capital Outlay for the Assessor 900-209 and Treasurer 900-253 by $1,000.00 each, and increase Software 900-747 to $7,000.00. Moved by Carolyn Towsley, supported by Elizabeth G. Carr to increase our contribution to Morton Township for recycling from $150.00/month to $200.00/month to begin on April 1, 2012. Three-ayes and two-nays. Motion carried.

Adjourned at 9:20 p.m.

Elizabeth G. Carr

Austin Township Clerk