The Austin Township Board Meeting was called to order on April 10, 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, Carolyn Towsley, and Elizabeth G. Carr.
Absent were: John Conforte and John Brockway (arrived 7:42 p.m.).
Public Comment: County Commissioner Ray Steinke introduced our new County Commissioner for this district, Ray Adelman. The zoning has been redone for the new animal shelter. All the preview work has been done for the hospital merger. The paperwork is with the attorneys now and the contract should be ready soon.
Minutes: Correction-John Conforte was present at the March 13, 2012 Board Meeting. Public comment should read that there was one guest, Paul Jefts, from the County Road Commission. Mr. Jefts participated in a discussion about the Buchanan Road project. Moved by Carolyn Towsley, supported John Brockway to approve the minutes with corrections. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report: The final balance stands as presented in the Budget Meeting. There were no more deposits. We will need to have the interest as of March 31st moved to 2011-2012 final budget amounts. $3,572.20 will be moved to the Fire Department CD. The $2,900.00 they received from the sale of truck 3-21 should also be put in the CD as replacement of CD money used. Moved by Elizabeth G. Carr, supported by John Brockway to accept the Financial Report subject to audit.
Payment of the Bills: Moved by John Brockway, supported by Carolyn Towsley to approve for payment Township check #’s 7699-7734. Presented for review Fire Department check #’s 4591-4606 and First Responder Check # 1284-1285. Motion carried.
Unfinished Business:
1. Fire Department and First Responder: DTE required a $300.00 application fee, nonrefundable. The DNR truck has been inspected, but it is not in service yet. The Fire Department is waiting for the title to arrive. When we have all the paperwork we will finish insuring the truck for service. Truck 3-21 was purchased for $2.900.00. The Department will also receive a $600.00 donation. The Crystal Flash tank is installed and filled. The Fire Department will need to do Commercial Site Inspections this year. This will entail higher salaries. The Fire Department is putting together a proposal about the higher salaries and site inspection process. Two more firefighters have passed the course requirements. Two new programs are in the process of being instituted in the county: Tender-site Team and Emergency Stand-by Team. 98% of the Fire Department has had their NIMS training. The Firefighter’s Board is working on a disciplinary policy for those who don’t complete the training. The new Firefighter’s Officers are: Marv Bell-Fire Chief, Alan Brennan-Asst. Fire Chief, Ronald Palmer-Chief of Training and Safety, and Steve Cook-Chief of Maintenance. Austin Township needs to appoint a member-at-large to the Fire Board.
2. Assessor/Supervisor Report: No one came to Board of Review. The Board of Review received one letter. Cemetery clean-up day is the 19th, and the 20th is make-up day for rain delay.
3. Treasurer’s Report: Two CD’s are ready to expire. We will need them for the Buchanan Road project so I won’t be rolling them over. They could be put in the Chem Flex account. We are allowed to make monthly withdrawals from that account.
4. Clerk’s Report: Moved by Kenneth Vredenburg, supported by Carolyn Towsley to adopt the resolution of the: HEART and WRERA Amendments to the Non-ERISA Governmental Pension Plan sponsored by Burnham & Flower Agency, Inc.
Kenneth Vredenbeurg-yes Carolyn Towsley-yes
Elizabeth G. Carr John Brockway-no
The Spring 2012 Regional Meeting will be in Big Rapids on Thursday, May 17, 2012. All will attend. The Morton Township Library Dedication Ceremony is Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. The Open House is 3:30-4:30 p.m. RSVP by April 18, 2012. We will see if John Conforte is interested in going. I have sent out 71 absent voter applications.
5. Roads: Moved by Carolyn Towsley, supported by Kenneth Vredenburg to enter into Contract# 489.002-BUCH/12.00 with the Mecosta County Road Commission for the Buchanan Road Project with the Austin Township portion not to exceed $300,000.00. Motion carried. Austin Township will accept the free brining from the County Road Commission, but we will not be contracting for a second brining.
6. Charter: We received a new proposed contract from Charter. We are currently collecting 3% and can collect up to 5%. We will be contacting a representative from Charter to discuss the contract.
7. Fire Department: It has been brought up that the pavement at the Fire Hall needs to be redone. Austin Township will table the issue for now and revisit it next month. Moved by Carolyn Towsley, supported by Kenneth Vredenburg to reappoint Greg Babbitt as member-at-large for the Fire Board. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Elizabeth G. Carr
Austin Township Clerk