The Austin Township Board Meeting was called to order on November 9, 2010 at 7:36 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 Brockway, and John Conforte. There were two guests present.

Public Comment: A representative from br.biz, a local news website, visited and collected information for the website.

Minutes: Correction to the 10-12-10 Minutes should read- Unfinished Business :  1-‘If the Fire Dept. can find another truck that is in good condition’, 2.-‘A judgment was made in favor of Austin Township in the 2008 assessment dispute with Out Door Properties’, 3.-The missing tax checks from the mortgage company have been found. They had been mailed to Martiny Township’, 9.-‘Only be able to levy 1 mil. The townships will go to plan b: 1 mil taxes and the county will make up the difference up to the Headlee Rollback’. Moved by Carolyn Towsley, supported by John Brockway, to approve the minutes with corrections. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report: All of the Audit adjustments are done. The Cemetery Balance Sheet shows the deposit of the contribution check from Mecosta Township. We have set up the Special Tax Account between the clerk’s and treasurer’s offices similar to our other accounts. The clerk will record the deposits and payments as a check and balance system. The Board would prefer a different name on the account so that there is no misunderstanding about the account. This is not a new special tax. This is the receiving and processing of our regular tax collection and disbursement. Moved by Kenn Vredenburg, supported by John Brockway, to accept the report, with a note that the Receivables are still showing an incorrect balance.  Carried subject to audit.

Payment of the bills: The 941 taxes for the Township were paid using the new electronic system. They need to be processed a day earlier now, by the 14th, instead of the 15th of the month. The 941 for the First Responders will be paid using the paper slip one more time because we are not sure if they want to set up a separate account. The bill payment for the Deluxe checks for $192.00 for the treasurer’s office is not showing in the clerk’s check register, but it has been paid. The Schuberg Electric bills needs to be taken out of 900-971-Capital Outlay. Moved by John Conforte, supported by John Brockway to accept the payment of the bills. Motion carried.

Unfinished Business:

  1. Fire and First Responder Report: The First Responder truck is done. Phil Hanford, Mecosta Township Supervisor, will be getting information from Ron Palmer about the truck for Phil and Kenn to present to Ice Mountain. The new sign donated by Trans Canada/ANR is still in progress. The 6x6 has been stored in Mecosta Townships Garage. The Fire Board Meeting is next Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Fire Hall.
  2. Assessor’s & Supervisor’s Report: The millage fix in Lansing is not looking to well. The townships are thinking plan B looks better-for the county to make up the difference up to the Headlee Rollback. I haven’t heard anything from Morton Township about recycling, so we will wait to make any decisions. The parking lot light is up and working. It is very bright and may need to be adjusted or turned off when the Township Hall is not in use.
  3. Treasurer’s Report: I have attended several meetings: 1. Croton Township-Governor’s Symposium. The Freedom of Information and Open Meeting Acts, Zoning mediation, Open Burning, and Planned Unit Development were some of the topics discussed. 2. The MCTA Meeting. Speakers from the Planning Commission are looking for Township input. 3. The Chemical Bank Treasurer’s Meeting was about FDIC coverage. The bank will notify us if there is any change.  It was also to alert us that there will be no more paper 941 payments and to issue a warning to keep close track of your electronic payments. I am planning on attending the Oil and Gas Meeting at the Senior Center and one of the meetings on the Hospital merger. Those meetings will be on November 17th at the Big Rapids Public Safety Building at 7 p.m. and on December 2 at 2 p.m.  Summer taxes-as of today 86% are paid, with 93% of the summer tax money in.
  4. Clerk’s Report: We have received out new insurance policy statement and policy booklet. We will need to adjust the elections budget we are over in salaries and mileage. Budget discussion will be tabled and suggestions brought to the next meeting. There will be a school millage vote in February. There is supposed to be a trial relay run on the White Pine Trail. They will run from Grand Rapids to Cadillac. If this trial relay is successful they would like to have a fund raiser run next year.

New Business

1.       Deputy Treasurer: Bambi Olsson has agreed to be the new Deputy Treasurer. Moved by Carolyn Towsley, supported by Elizabeth Carr to appoint Bambi Olsson as the new Deputy Treasurer. Motion carried.

Adjourned at 8:38 p.m.

 

 

Elizabeth G. Carr

Austin Township Clerk