The Austin Township Board Meeting was called to order on May 10, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. by Supervisor Kenneth Vredenburg at the Township Hall at 14132 Pierce Rd, Stanwood, Michigan, 49346.

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

Public Comment: None.

Minutes: Correction-5. Roads-Should read “If possible we would join that project and continue west into Austin Township for 1-11/2 miles.”  Moved by Carolyn Towsley, supported by John Conforte to approve the minutes with corrections. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report: There is a new First Bank account-027 #2585. First Bank account 023# 5533 has been rolled over with a new due date of April 15, 2012. I have received the delinquent taxes and they were deposited on April 28, 2011. Moved by John Conforte, supported by Kenn Vredenburg to accept the Treasurer’s Report with adjustments for new accounts and due dates. Motion carried.

Payment of the Bills: Check #’s 4439-4456 from the Fire Department and check #’s 1220-1223 from the First Responders were presented for review. Check #’s 7520-7536, also check # 7537 Tri-County Electric for $97.00, for Austin Township and check #’s 1415-1417 for the Cemetery was presented for approval. Also the QuickBooks renewal amount of $396.44 has finally been withdrawn from our bank account. Moved by Carolyn Towsley, supported by John Conforte to approve the payment of the bills. Motion carried.

Unfinished Business:

1.      Fire Department Report: Western Insurance has sent a list of suggested safety improvements for the Fire Department-regular furnace checks, barrier posts by the fuel tank, and automatic shut off valves on the nozzles. The dedication of the new Fire Department sign will be on May 27, 2011 around 10-11 a.m.

2.      Supervisor and Assessor’s Report: The Amish Produce Auction House application went through at the Planning Commission Meeting. We have received a call about community service.

3.      Treasurer’s Report: There were two speakers at the Mecosta County Township Association Meeting: a representative from the Economic Development Department on developing local business and a prosecuting attorney on the marijuana law. I am looking at a speaker on Hazmat issues for the next meeting.

4.      Clerk’s Report: Moved by Carolyn Towsley, supported by John Conforte to accept the Audit Proposal from CPA Doug Wohlberg’s office of $9,400.00 for the 2011-2014 Budget years for the Township, Fire Department, First Responders, and Cemetery for the Audits and F-65 reports. Motion carried.  Moved by Elizabeth G. Carr, supported by John Brockway to pay $300.00 to contribute to the Mecosta Conservation District Clean Sweep Household Hazardous Waste Disposal program. Motion carried.

5.      Roads: Moved by Kenn Vredenburg, supported by Carolyn Towsley to accept the bid estimates from the Mecosta County Road Commission to gravel Polk Rd east from Northland Dr. We would like that to be to 170^th Ave. The cost would be around $10,000.00. Motion carried. The Mecosta County Road Commission will be getting us hard numbers to do the trees along 9 Mile Rd. The cost should be around $3000.00. We need to keep an eye on 155^th Ave north to Buchanan Rd. We will use our free brining from the Road Commission but not sign up for a second brining. FYI: Connie Scott’s retirement open house will be Friday, May 13, 2011 from 1-3 p.m.

Adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

Elizabeth G. Carr

Austin Township Clerk