The Austin Township Board Meeting was called to order on October 9, 2012 at 7:35 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 Brockway, and John Conforte.
Public Comment: Ray Steinke-Commissioner-There is a new Emergency Management Coordinator, Scott Schroeder.
Minutes: Correction-Clerk’s Report should read "The MOVE (overseas) ballot, etc. Moved by Carolyn Towsley, supported by John Conforte to approve the minutes with correction. Carried.
Financial Report: The State of Michigan Revenue Sharing was deposited last month but shows up on this month’s report. The Fire Department received a $109.90 refund from Holtons for gas left in the tank at the end of our contract with them. Moved by John Conforte, supported by John Brockway to approve the Financial Report. Carried subject to audit.
Payment of the Bills: Moved by Kenneth Vredenburg, supported by Carolyn Towsley to reimburse the clerk for mileage to QVF update training and Election postage for a total of $67.35 and to pay John Brockway for 4 mowings in September. Motion carried. Moved by John Conforte, supported by Carolyn Towsley, to pay Township check #’s 7849-7857 and Cemetery check # 1455. Presented for review: Fire Department check #’s 4656-4669 and First Responder check # 1314. The First Responder State of Michigan check amount will be $37.06. I will also be writing the First Responder paychecks later this week. Motion carried.
Unfinished Business:
1. Fire Department and First Responder Reports: The Fire Board moved to pay up to $2,000.00 to fix the pump on the DNR truck. The department is putting together a proposal to do the Commercial Site visits. There are approximately 37 sites plus farms. They will bring the proposal to the joint meeting in January. The site visits will be spread out over a three year time period. The Fire Board also approved up to $1,000.00 to fix the ridge vent on the roof of the Fire Station. We have not received any guidance yet on setting a water standard for the Fire Department. New batteries have been purchased for the radios. The old radios and headsets have been donated to Water Rescue for shore to water communication. They will not interfere with the Rescue radio traffic. The Fire Department participated in mock disaster training at ANR. The county is considering putting a fourth ambulance into service. The Fire Department Pig Roast will be October 13th from 12:00-4:00 p.m. The November Fire Board Meeting has been moved to November 7, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
2. Assessor and Supervisor’s Report: I am working on a junk complaint. Dick Jensen will plow the Township parking lot again this winter.
3. Treasurer’s Report: As of today 83% of taxpayers have paid with 92% of the taxes paid. I need articles for the newsletter. The paperwork for the NIMS training is available. NIMS 300 will be October 25-26 and NIMS 400 will be November 8-9, 2012. Both training sessions will be held at the Holiday Inn in Big Rapids, MI. I have interviewed two people for the position of Deputy Treasurer: Jamie Osborn and Emily Terpstra.
4. Clerk’s Report: An order to Michigan Election Resources totaling $21.00 plus S&H was made for election supplies. I have not received the invoice yet. I attended QVF update training on October 5th. The Michigan Secretary of State, Ruth Johnson, lost a court case to keep the citizenship question on the Application to Vote forms for the November General Election on November 6th. All townships, regardless of size, are required to have Receiving Boards as of August. Clerks will also be required to keep track of all applications to vote received through a public aid agency such as DHS, especially of duplicate registrations. The purpose of the report is so that the agencies can prove that they are doing their job to register applicants as required. The audit report has been returned. Please review your copy. The F-65 report was filed.
5. Roads: The Road Commission will hold their annual meeting at Green Township on October 18th. There will be pizza and pop at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will start at 7 p.m.
Adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Elizabeth G. Carr
Austin Township Clerk