The Austin Township Board Meeting was called to order on June 8, 2010 at 7:33 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, and John Conforte. John Brockway was absent. There were four guests present.
Public Comment: Ray Steinke-211 Information Services still wants the county to provide their funding instead of the Mecosta Osceola ISD. Their funding cost would be $5,000.00. The county is not interested at this point in providing the funding. Nothing has been heard about the Verizon Tower permits. The commissioners voted to allow Sunday liquor sales at package liquor stores after 12 p.m. They were surprised to learn, however, that it goes back to the townships and villages now for individual approval in their jurisdictions. After the townships and villages have responded to the notification, businesses must go to the state for a special permit before they will able to begin sales.
Moved by Kenn Vredenburg, supported by John Conforte, to accept the minutes with corrections. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report: The $90,000.00 from the Special Tax Account was invested in Chemical Bank ChemFlex account. This allows us to withdraw the money and reinvest it any month that we might find a better rate. There are two CD’s that will come due next month. Please be thinking about what you want me to do with them. Check #7283 to Xerox will have to be rewritten because of duplicate billings. Moved by Kenn Vredenburg, supported by John Conforte, to accept the Treasurer’s report, subject to audit. Motion carried.
Payment of the bills: The Special Tax Account money was recorded coming out of the checking account twice. The final balance was correct so we will be asking Kandy from Kandy’s Accounting for assistance with straightening this out. The check for the new First Responder truck will be written as soon as the money is transferred to their account and they receive a fleet number. They cannot receive their discount until then. I will be ordering some secrecy sleeves and some mailing envelopes for the absentee ballots before the August primary election. If there is another clerk making a similar order I will see if I can combine orders with them to save on costs. Moved by Kenn Vredenburg, supported by Carolyn Towsley to pay the bills. Motion carried.
Unfinished Business:
1. Fire Department Report: There is no new information on the progress of our ISO rating. The evaluator has called with questions and requests for further papers, but that is all. The firemen are still evaluating their options for better internet service. John Johnson took a look at the right-of-way agreement for the new pipeline and suggested we strike the plural reference on ‘pipelines’ to insure we are dealing with only one pipeline right-of-way. There was also a discrepancy on whether they were asking for a right-of-way of 20 or 30 feet.
2. Supervisor’s and Assessor’s Report: The check for the truck needs to be written as soon as they are ready. There has been no movement by Verizon about the lease. We will continue to research internet possibilities. Wild Blue no longer services this area. It is owned by the same parent company as Hughes Net. I am hoping now that school is out, to repair our website so I can upload new information to the sight. Tulleymore has applied for a grant to help with the development of their road. They also want to add a section for more moderately priced housing and for several businesses. There will be an oil and gas lease meeting here at Austin Hall on Monday, June 14th at 1 p.m.
3. Treasurer’s Report: Nothing new to report.
4. Clerk’s Report: Moved by Kenn Vredenburg, supported by Carolyn Towsley, to contribute $300.00 to the Mecosta Osceola Hazardous Waste Clean Up day. Motion carried.
Moved by Kenn Vredenburg, supported by Carolyn Towsley, to keep Elizabeth G. Carr as a representative on the Mecosta Austin Fire Board. Motion carried.
The audit with Doug Wohlburg needs to be scheduled as soon as possible.
New Business:
1. Morton Township Recycling: We would like to support their effort and will look into seeing what their needs are. Recycling day would be open to both townships.
2. Moved by Kenn Vredenburg, supported by Carolyn Towsley, to switch our phone carrier from Verizon to Clear Rate per confirmation of quoted rates and terms. Motion carried.
3. The Mecosta Austin Fire Department Insurance expires next month. We will be seeking competitive quotes to see if there is a better price and coverage.
Adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Elizabeth G. Carr
Austin Township Clerk