DALTON TOWNSHIP REGULAR BOARD MEETING-APRIL 10, 2006
7:00 P.M.

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

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: None.

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 March 13, the special meetings of March 13, March 15, March 22 and March 27, March 31, 2006 were accepted as presented with one addition; Petsy requested that the comments made during the March 27th meeting referring to road funding and repairs be specific in the minutes.

PUBLIC COMMENT:
Richard Vallier had questions regarding a business that was broken into and the type of merchandise that was stolen.

TREASURER'S REPORT:
As of March 31, 2006, the General Fund has $100,757.81, Fire Operating Fund has $156,959.10, and Fire Equipment Fund has $57,805.20. There is $299,279.98 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 Diane, PASSED to approve the monthly bills as submitted. General Fund payments equaling $92,465.53, Fire Operating Fund $29,518.58, and Cemetery Fund $654.75; and bills were paid from the Building Fund, Street Light Fund and other self supporting miscellaneous funds. Roll call vote. Yes: Mike, Rosemary, Diane, Lynn, Petsy, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: None.

FIRE BUSINESS:
Monthly Report: Fire Chief, Gary Furman, submitted the Incident Log for March 1, 2006 to March 31, 2006. Total number of incidents, including exposure fires was 39 with an average response time of 6.97 minutes.

The Fire Commission recommendations for dire department officers were submitted for board approval. Following are the recommendations for 2006 through 2009.
Station Captain Joe Balder
Lieutenant 1293 Andy Kops
Lieutenant 1294 Chris McPheron
Lieutenant 1295 Rescue Stacia Ripley

A firefighter was present requesting to speak to the board regarding the officer position that he previously held and was not chosen for reappointment. The attorney stated that when an officer position has expired, anyone can be appointed, or removed, to the officer positions without cause as stated in the Rules and Regulations of the fire department. He questioned the board if this is an employee matter vs reappointment of officer position. Most board members felt that it was not an employee issue and denied the employee to speak.

Motion by Diane, support by Mike, PASSED to accept the fire commission recommendation and rule that this is in compliance with the rules and regulations and this is not an employee issue. Yes: Diane, Mike, Rosemary, Lynn and Scott. No: Petsy and Mary Ellen.

Motion by Diane, support by Mike, PASSED to approve the slate of Fire Department Officers for 2006 through 2009 as stated above. Yes: Diane, Mike, Rosemary, Lynn and Scott. No: Petsy and Mary Ellen. Mary Ellen stated that the employee was led to believe that it was an employee issue and this board should never deny being open for an employee to speak to us.

MAINTENANCE REPORT:
Maintenance Supervisor, Keith Ostoin, informed the board of the happenings in the maintenance department.

PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS:
A. Ordinance amendment for one acre lot requirement.
This item, again, generated lengthy discussion. No action was taken at this time.

Motion by Mike, support by Mary Ellen, PASSED to again table this item until such time that officials from the health department can be present to answer questions of the board.

B. Custom Concrete Special Use Permit for storage at 2342 Holton Road.

Motion by Diane, support by Lynn, PASSED to accept the planning commission's recommendation and approve the Special Use Permit for storage with all storage inside and trees left. Roll call vote. Yes: Diane, Lynn, Mike, Rosemary, Petsy, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: None.

JIM KECK REQUEST FOR EXTENSION ON PAVING:
This is Mr. Keck's second request for an extension to pave the parking area of his business at 3553 Holton Road. Mr, Keck explained his situation and the board discussed this issue.

Motion by Diane, support by Rosemary, PASSED to approve the extension for Mr. Keck to pave the approach by June of 07 and pave the parking lot by June of 08. Yes: Diane, Rosemary, Mike, Lynn, Petsy, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: None.

SUE NIELSON, ENRICHMENT COORDINATOR, WHITE LAKE COMMUNITY EDUCATION:
Ms. Nielson introduced herself and spoke of her credentials and history. She provided board members with a brochure with descriptions of the programs offered at White Lake Community Education, the staff, areas served, and she spoke about the sports and activities and programs offered. She explained the partnership with six municipalities, including Dalton Township, and thanked the Board for the continued partnership.

LAND DIVISION SPECIALIST AGREEMENT:
Motion by Rosemary, support by Mike, PASSED to approve the Land Division Specialist Agreement dated from April 15, 2006 through April 14, 2009. Dalton Township will pay Wanda Budnik $6450.00 annually in monthly installments for these services. Roll call vote. Yes: Rosemary, Mike, Diane, Lynn, Petsy Mary Ellen and Scott. No: none.

TWIN LAKE FIREWORKS:
Motion by Rosemary, support by Mike, PASSED to approve payment of $500.00 to the Twin Lake Fireworks for the annual community fireworks event. Yes: Rosemary, Mike, Diane, Lynn, Petsy, Rosemary, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: none.

LAND BIDS:
1. The five acre parcel and the ten acre parcel that were advertised for bids were removed from the agenda as Petsy stated that she does not believe the board approved for this land to be put up for bid. No action was taken on these parcels of land.

Motion by Petsy, support by Diane, PASSED to table and hold the bids received for the five and ten acre parcels of land. Yes: all.

2. Minnehaha Beach Subdivision Lot 89 and 91. The bid received was for $1,000.00 submitted by Robert and Julie Terberg.

Motion by Mike, support by Lynn, FAILED to approve the land bid for the Minnehaha Beach Subdivision lots 89 and 91 for $1000.00 for both lots. Yes: Mike, Lynn and Scott. No: Diane, Petsy, Rosemary and Mary Ellen.

Petsy stated that minimum bids need to be established before any more land is put up for bid. Petsy and Rosemary both agreed that the above should have a minimum bid of $1,000.00 per lot.

3. Winnetka Park Lots 1 and 2 Block 3. Four bids were received with the highest bid at $1,805.00

Motion by Diane, support by Petsy, PASSED to approve the land bid for Winnetka Park Lots 1 and 2, Block 3, for $1,805.00 submitted by Dale J. Grelewicz. Roll call vote. Yes: Diane, Petsy, Lynn, Mike, Rosemary, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: none.

UNIFORM WATER ORDINANCE:
An addition changes the Uniform Water Ordinance titled Rules and Regulations 3.8 Renters Deposit. The attorney explained that this addition to the Ordinance requires a deposit to cover any delinquent water charges when a renter departs the premises. If the balances are paid if full the deposit would be returned.

Motion by Rosemary, support by Diane, PASSED to approve the changes to the Uniform Water Ordinance, Appendix C: Rules and Regulations, Section 3.8-Renters Deposit. Roll call vote. Yes: Rosemary, Diane, Petsy, Lynn, Mike, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: none.

DRAIN MAINTENANCE SPRAY PROGRAM 2006:
The drain commissioner sent a letter/invoice for the 2006 Spray Program for $400.00 to purchase the necessary amount of chemical to complete the maintenance spraying in the township.

Motion by Diane, support by Lynn, PASSED to approve the $400.00 for the 2006 Drain Maintenance Spray Program. Roll call vote. Yes: Diane, Lynn, Petsy, Mike, Rosemary, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: none.

DALTON TOWNSHIP 2006 FEE SCHEDULE:
Most fees remained the same. The largest changes were fees associated with Site Plan Review and Zoning. Petsy stated that no site plan should be accepted without an engineering stamp. Discussion followed.

Motion by Mike, support by Lynn, PASSED to approve the 2006 Fee Schedule for Dalton Township. Roll call vote. Yes: Mike, Lynn, Rosemary and Scott. No: Petsy, Diane, and Mary Ellen.

TELEPHONE SYSTEM:
Scott explained the current telephone system and stated this item was approved in the budget for this fiscal year. Only one quote for a new system was received. Mary Ellen questioned if only one quote was received how we know this is a fair price without a comparison quote or bid. The attorney stated that seeking competitive bids was not mandatory. Mary Ellen stated that a resolution was passed that mandated the board seek bids for items when it involves this much money. Rosemary stated that usually three bids are sought. Scott explained that more companies were contacted, with no response. He stated that the telephones at the fire station are not working properly.

Motion by Diane, support by Lynn, PASSED to approve the quote received from Internal Sound and Communications, Inc. for $7,337.00 to be split equally with the fire department. Roll call vote. Yes: Diane, Lynn, Mike, Rosemary and Scott. No: Mary Ellen and Petsy

ONE COMPUTER:
Motion by Mary Ellen, support by Mike, PASSED to approve the purchase of one computer for the zoning administration department, as budgeted. Roll call vote. Yes: Mary Ellen, Mike, Diane, Petsy, Lynn, Rosemary and Scott. No: none.

BOARD COMMENT:
The board was questioned if they would like to retain our current auditor for the fiscal year ending 05-06.

Motion by Rosemary, support by Diane, PASSED to retain the services of Mr. Richard Parker, CPA for the 05-06 fiscal year's audit, and to negotiate the price with the clerks office. Roll call vote. Yes: Rosemary, Diane, Petsy, Lynn, Mike, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: none.

The board discussed the county wide joint planning commission, the upcoming tire collection in the township, and a road ordinance. Diane stated that the township does not have insurance for the ordinance enforcement officer to be carrying his pistol when investigating ordinance violations. Scott stated this will not happen again. The attorney stated that the board can not prohibit him from carrying a concealed weapon, however it should be concealed and should not be visible. Debate continued regarding this issue.

PUBLIC COMMENT:
Richard Vallier commented regarding a business that was broken into recently and stated the items stolen were of violent or pornographic nature. He questioned if this business had a special use permit for sales of this nature. It was stated that he has a special use permit for retail sales. It was recommended that the ordinance enforcement officer look into this issue. The road conditions were also discussed. Mr. Vallier stated that Fruitland Township paves a mile of road per year and Dalton should do the same. Scott stated the money is not available.

Trent Hatinger, Dalton Fire Firefighter, spoke to Scott stating that Scott did not get the point across when discussing and approving appointments regarding officer positions. Scott stated that the Rules and Regulations should be reviewed and changed by the fire commission to address any appeals with regard to not reappointing an officer to any position. Troy Marciniak, of Thunderbird Raceway, located at 350 Riley Thompson Road, was present to discuss the office trailer with the board. He stated the trailer has been on the premises for years. He stated it was just moved to the current location to be used for the office at this location. He stated no one is living in the trailer, it is only used for office purposes. He stated there is not a bathroom or water it is only an office/ticket booth. Mr. Marciniak stated that he did not appreciate the way the township ordinance enforcement officer handled the situation and he stated that he is getting different stories from both Scott and the ordinance officer. Further discussion followed. It was recommended that Mr. Marciniak call the zoning administrator to work out this situation. Mr. Keck made further comments regarding his paving extension request. Donna Syers of Beattie Road showed pictures and discussed the failed culvert in the road that left a huge hole.

ADJOURNMENT:
Motion by Mike, support by Diane, PASSED to adjourn at 8:50 p.m.