BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Scott Hladki, Mary Ellen Sherwood, Rosemary Rinella, Mike Hiner, Elizabeth (Petsy) Jenkins and Diane Misze (6).

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: None (0). One vacant seat on the board due to the previous resignation of Trustee, Kevin Wright.

Supervisor, Scott Hladki, called the meeting to order at the Dalton Township Hall. The Pledge of Allegiance said, invocation given and roll call taken.

MINUTES:
The Regular Meeting Minutes of September 12, 2005 were accepted as presented and placed on filed.

PUBLIC COMMENT:
Barbara Doerr stated that the minutes of the previous meeting mentioned names of some people who spoke and other names were not mentioned. Connie Burchfield made comments in reference to the proposed new zoning ordinance being on the previous months agenda for adoption when it contained errors, and stated that the trustee that is to be appointed by the board should be someone that can think independently. Ross McClosky stated that there will be some benefits realized from the proposed new zoning ordinance when it is adopted, and he stated that the adoption process should be moving along more quickly.

TREASURER'S REPORT:
As of September 30, 2005, the General Fund has $28,074.89, Fire Operating Fund has $50,704.84, and Fire Equipment Fund has $12,669.42. There is $294,797.44 in the Co-Merica J-Fund. The Treasurer's Report was accepted and placed on file for audit.

MONTHLY BILLS:
Motion by Mike, support by Rosemary, PASSED to approve the monthly bills as submitted. General Fund $53,478.26, Fire Operating Fund $8,366.87, and Cemetery Fund $200.45, Street Light Fund $2,786.37 and other miscellaneous bills were paid from the Building Fund and other miscellaneous funds. Roll call vote. Yes: Mike, Rosemary, Scott, Petsy and Mary Ellen both yes, with the exception of check 17539 to the Muskegon County Road Commission. No: Diane.

Petsy questioned if the bonding information was ever received from the cleaning personnel as it was a condition of employment for this position. She stated that she has requested this information in the past and still has not received the bonding verification. Rosemary hired this position and stated that she would get Petsy a copy.

FIRE BUSINESS:
Monthly Report: Fire Chief, Gary Furman, submitted the Incident Log for September 1 through September 30, 2005. Total number of incidents, including exposure fires was 60, with an average response time of 7.32 minutes. Chief Furman stated that so far this year the Fire Department has had 512 calls and there is still two months yet to go, and in 2004 there were 530 calls.

Canteen Vehicle: Chief Furman stated at the last board meeting the board approved to put the canteen vehicle up for bid. He stated that only one bid was received and requested that the bid opening be extended until the next regular board meeting and also to remove the minimum bid amount.

Motion by Mike, support by Diane, PASSED to extend the bidding until the next regular board meeting and to remove the minimum bid amount. Yes: all.

CEMETERY:
Cemetery Sexton, Gary Furman, stated that the prices for the township cemeteries need to be adjusted as the cemetery fund is not self supporting any longer. He suggested that the board form a committee to review and adjust the pricing. Diane and Petsy volunteered for this committee. This committee will consist of two board members, Diane and Petsy and Gary Furman, Sexton.

MAINTENANCE:
Maintenance Supervisor, Keith Ostoin, gave an update regarding the operations at the transfer station and the maintenance department brining operations. Keith stated that he needs direction from the board regarding if the township wants to do our own brining again next year or if this should go back to the county road commission. The consensus of the board was for the township to do the brining again as it is less costly.

ORDINANCE ENFORCEMENT:
Ordinance Enforcement Officer, Frank Swiatek, gave the board an update of all current cases in this department, stating most comply within the time allowed and only one case past the expiration date.

PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS:

Request of William Van Blargan for a Special Use Permit (SUP) for a Deli and Catering Business at 2448 Holton Road. (In the strip mall by Rocket Storage,)

Mr. Van Blargan was present and explained his plans to the board. It was stated that the zoning is appropriate for this type of business and the plans are in compliance with the Township's Master Plan.

Petsy stated concerns regarding insufficient parking available at this location and there were questions regarding what suite this business would be located in at this address. Approval of this request was unanimously approved by the Planning Commission and recommend the township board approve the same.

Motion by Petsy, support by Diane, PASSED to approve the Special Use Permit for Mr. Van Blargan, with the exception that more parking spaces be added. Roll call vote. Yes: Petsy, Diane, Mike, Rosemary, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: None.

LAND DIVISION REQUEST FOR EDNA AND VERN MOGCK:
Mr. and Mrs. Mogck were requesting the land division of this platted property to sell a portion of the property to their son who has property adjoining this land.

Motion by Diane, support by Rosemary, PASSED to approve the land division as requested by Edna and Vern Mogck as submitted. Roll call vote. Yes: Diane, Rosemary, Mike, Petsy, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: None.

APPOINT AN APPLICANT TO THE VACANT BOARD OF TRUSTEE POSITION:
It was stated that all 14 people who applied for the vacant trustee position were interviewed in a special open meeting and all 14 are terrific people. Board members expressed their top choices and stated their reasons for the same. Andy Lofgren and Lynn Young were the two top candidates. Mr. Lofgren for his expertise in finance and other numerous qualifications; and Ms. Young as she has attended every board meeting for the last several years and therefore is current on issues of the township. She has also volunteered as Chairman for the Township's Road Committee, and has taken several classes which she has paid for herself through the Michigan Township's Association. She will soon receive her degree in township government; and she has other qualifications as well.

Motion by Mike, support by Rosemary, FAILED to approve the appointment of Andy Lofgren to fill the vacant Trustee position for Dalton Township. Roll call vote. Yes: Mike, Rosemary and Scott. No: Diane, Petsy and Mary Ellen. The clerk stated a tie vote is a failed vote.

Mr. Lofgren spoke from the audience and stated that he wishes to withdraw his name from the list of candidates as he believed that it may be hard to find qualified people to fill the vacant position and stated this is not the case. He stated that he would still like to be involved with the township in some capacity.

Motion by Petsy, support by Diane, PASSED to approve the appointment of Lynn Young to fill the vacant Trustee position for Dalton Township for the remainder of the term. Roll call vote. Yes: Petsy, Diane, Mike, Rosemary, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: None.

CADY ROAD RESOLUTION NUMBER ONE, CULVERT REPLACEMENT:
Motion by Diane, support by Mike, PASSED to approve Resolution Number One as requested by petition of the residents on Cady Road to place culverts in at $250.00 per property owner to be paid in 2006. Roll call vote. Yes: Diane, Mike, Rosemary, Petsy, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: None.

FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE REGARDING INSURANCE:
Motion by Diane, support by Mike, PASSED to table the first reading of this ordinance until clarification is received from the township attorney and the board and attorney have reviewed and approved for submittal for approval. Yes: all.
SOCIAL SECURITY PRIVACY POLICY:
Motion by Petsy, support by Rosemary, PASSED to approve the Social Security Privacy Policy as submitted. Yes: all.

BOARD COMMENT:
Scott stated that the board needs to officially send the proposed new zoning ordinance back to the Planning Commission for changes and further consideration regarding issues of concern by residents.

Motion by Diane, support by Mike, PASSED to send the proposed zoning ordinance back to the Planning Commission for revisions which will be clarified by the zoning administrator. Yes: Diane, Mike, Rosemary, Petsy, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: None.

Diane stated that revenue sharing has been frozen for 2006 so further cuts are not anticipated. Petsy stated that she and Scott have been working on getting horse trails within the township and requested volunteers.

PUBLIC COMMENT:
Barbara Doerr stated that the township should form a committee for the development of a Lake Residential Zoning Overlay District as part of its continued efforts to develop the proposed new zoning ordinance and comply with the Master Plan. Mary Ellen asked Barbara if she would like to volunteer for this committee, Ms. Doerr agreed to form this committee. Connie Burchfield made comments regarding the smooth operations at the transfer station on the free dump day and stated that she is glad to know the township will continue to have two free dump days next year. She also stated that it was very gracious of Mr. Lofgren to withdraw his name from the list of candidates for the trustee position. Annette Vida was recognized for her interest in the trustee position and it was stated that she is the force behind getting people involved and coming to the meetings regarding the proposed new zoning ordinance. Steve Ellis was again present at the meeting requesting resolution of legal issues with the township, stating that he will consider legal action against every board member individually for not resolving these issues.

ADJOURNMENT:
Motion by Mike, support by Diane, PASSED to adjourn at 8:25 p.m.