The Austin Township Board Meeting was called to order on February 9, 2010 at 7:34 p.m. by Supervisor Kenneth Vredenburg at the Township Hall at 14132 Pierce Rd, Stanwood, MI, 49346.

Present were Kenneth Vredenburg, Carolyn Towsley, Elizabeth G. Carr, John Conforte, and John Brockway. There were two guests present.

Public Comment: Ray Steinke-The Census should be mailed on March 1st and count day for the census will be April 1st. Marco Menezes is the new Probate Court Judge. John Curry is up for re-election to the Road Commission. The planning commission approved Grandpa’s Bakery on M-66 is Sheridan Township. The Township would like the Board of Commissioners to be aware of the growing pressure to create bigger government and a loss of local control.

Moved by Carolyn Towsley, supported by John Conforte to accept the minutes with corrections. Motion carried.

The General, Fire Department, First Responders, and Cemetery reports were given. The interest rate on First Bank CD#26010098895 was raised from 3.75% to 4% for a total of $723.88. Carolyn and Elizabeth both appreciate how easy it is to read the new format on her report. The First Responder’s received their money from the county. Moved by John Conforte, supported by Kenneth Vredenburg to accept the report. Motion carried subject to audit.

Payment of the bills: Move check # 7194 written to the Post Office from 101-727 office supplies, to 253-741 treasurers’ postage. Moved by John Conforte, supported by John Brockway to pay the bills. Motion carried.

Fire Department Report: John Johnson resigned from the Fire Board and Phil Hanford, Mecosta Township Supervisor, was appointed to his slot.  Phil Hanford was also elected vice-chair of the board. Mecosta Township has a credit card that they are willing for the Fire Department and First Responders to use when they have large purchases to make. The invoices will be sent to Austin Township for payment. There is one new firefighter. The missing pager has been found. There is an ice training refresher course this month. They could use a new First Responder truck. The Fire Department is trying to get faster internet. The First Responder boundary with Morton Township is doing fine.

Joint Meeting: There will be a committee meeting about a new First Responder truck this Thursday, February 11, at 7:30 p.m. at the Fire Hal. Discussed what to do about Julie Jankowski’s wages at the Cemetery. We are trying to simplify how we pay her wages and her withholding taxes. Need to ask Julie if we can give her a 1099 for her wages, if not, then we will pay her wages under Austin Township and the Cemetery will write a check to reimburse Austin Township. We also need to discuss Doug Wohlberg’s contract with Austin Township.

Supervisor/Assessor Report: The Statement of Policy for Assessors needs to be put in the Annual Meeting. I have not been able to make any contact over the property by the cemetery. Also have not been able to connect with the electrical contractor yet.

Treasurer’s Report: The Morley-Stanwood School District contract has been received, signed, and returned. At the Mecosta Township Association meeting we learned about details of the 14 point assessing system. New officers were elected at the meeting. Carolyn Towsley is the new Mecosta Township Association President. Bob Baldwin is the Vice-President. Linda Randall will continue as the Secretary. Moved by John Conforte, supported by John Brockway to sign the agreement with Morley Stanwood to do the taxes at $3.00/parcel. Motion carried.

Clerk’s Report: The MTA has a conference in Muskegon next month. Everyone needs to decide by next month’s meeting if they want to go. The Leadership Mecosta group has invited anyone interested to go to Lansing with them for Government Day on March 4, 2010. I would like to go this year. If anyone else is interested let me know. I would like to announce that John Conforte has his paperwork in to be a delegate this year. I have been able to access my merit mail account. I have received a warning on my Quikbooks payroll program that my payroll subscription is about to expire. The cost of the annual renewal is $349.00. They want you to use a credit card for your renewal. You may use an electric check. Moved by Kenn Vredenburg, supported Carolyn Towsley to pay $349.00 for the QuikBooks annual payroll renewal subscription. Motion carried.

New Business:

1.       Copier: The contract with Xerox would be $39.15/month with 800 copies. We would be charged .013/copy if we went over that amount. There is no value in the old copier if we want to keep it. This is State of Michigan negotiated pricing. Moved by Carolyn Towsley, supported by John Brockway to lease a new copier, Workcenter 418x, from the Xerox Corp. Motion carried.

2.       Administration Fees: Moved by Kenn Vredenburg, supported by John Brockway to not collect the Administration Fee for the 2010-2011 year.

Kenn Vredenburg-yes                                             John Brockway-yes

John Conforte-yes                                                   Carolyn Towsley-yes

Elizabeth G. Carr-yes

 

 

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m.

 

Elizabeth G. Carr

Austin Township Clerk