7:00 P.M.

 

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

 

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: None.

 

Scott Hladki, Supervisor, 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 June 12, 2006 and the special meeting minutes of June 22, 2006 were accepted as presented and placed on file.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Richard Vallier questioned agenda item number 12, discussion regarding pay. Scott responded to Mr. Vallier's questions regarding pay increases for the deputy treasurer and assistant assessor as the employees requested.

 

TREASURER'S REPORT:

As of April 30, 2006, the General Fund has $-7,680.06, revenue sharing check in the amount of $74,473 was received and deposited prior to payments being mailed. Adjusted balance with revenue sharing $66,792.94; Fire Operating Fund has $104,631.35, and Fire Equipment Fund has $67,736.61. There is $303,672.31 in the Co-Merica J-Fund. The Treasurer's Report was accepted and placed on file for audit.

 

MONTHLY BILLS:

Motion by Mary Ellen, support by Mike, PASSED to approve the monthly bills as submitted. General Fund $43,501.40, Fire Fund $4,783.96, Cemetery Fund $57.26 and bills were also paid from the building fund and other self-supporting miscellaneous funds. Roll call vote. Yes: Mike, Diane, Rosemary, Petsy, Lynn, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: None.

 

FIRE BUSINESS:

Fire Chief, Gary Furman, submitted the Incident Log for June 2006. There were 68 calls with an average response time of 7 minutes.

 

CEMETERY:

Sexton, Gary Furman stated that Westshore Engineering has completed the surveying and plotting of the gravesites in the new portion of the Twin Lake Cemetery. He stated that 1,600 new plots are now available for sale. Gary stated the roads in the cemetery need to be completed and irrigation needs to be installed.

 

MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT:

The Maintenance Supervisor, Keith Ostoin, stated that this department is in its summer routine and updated the board regarding equipment repairs. Keith also updated the board regarding Redi-Rolloff the new company contracted for transfer station services. Mike stated the transfer station never looked better.

 

BUILDING INSPECTION DEPARTMENT:

Building Inspector, Chris Hall, was present and requested the board amend, or add a fee to the Water Rate Ordinance in reference to fees for bonding. Chris explained that the process listed in the ordinance under "Surety Bonds" requires a one year process. The Board requested further information from Chris regarding this item.

 

 

PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS/RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Request by Dale Tenbrink for a zone change from IND (Industrial) to R-1 (Residential). The Planning Commission approved and recommended approval to the township board. Mr. Tenbrink was present and explained that he would like 60 acres of the property that he owns to be rezoned. He stated there are two 40 acre parcels and one already has been partially rezoned residential. Further discussion followed.

 

Motion by Diane, support by Petsy, PASSED to approve the Zone Change as requested from IND to R-1 with a reversion clause that if the property is not divided within two years the property will revert back to IND. There shall also be a stipulation that there shall be a maximum of 14 splits. Roll call vote. Yes: Diane, Petsy, Mary Ellen, Mike, Rosemary, Lynn and Scott. No: None.

 

TOWNSHIP PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR:

Most board members felt this potential position is not warranted at this time. Lynn stated that if Stephanie Barrett, the Zoning Administrator, is appointed to this position as Scott is requesting, it will take to much time away from her zoning duties. Possible wages and hours for this position were discussed, if the position is created. Petsy stated that Rosemary would need to take care of the special assessments and Scott should be attending the meetings, etc., instead of Stephanie performing these duties as Scott is requesting. Scott stated that he does not have the time. Petsy stated that he should be attending these meetings over other meetings that he is attending. It was again discussed that it is still to premature to make any decisions regarding this proposed position. Further discussion followed; including the possibility of approving for Stephanie Barrett to continue as the deputy supervisor until the November 2006 meeting.

 

Motion by Lynn, support by Rosemary, PASSED to approve for Stephanie Barrett to continue acting as the Deputy Supervisor until the November meeting, 2006, acting in the same capacity as she is now with reference to water and sewer. Roll call vote. Yes: Lynn, Rosemary, Mike, Diane, Petsy, Mary Ellen, and Scott. No: None.

 

RESOLUTION FOR A STREET LIGHT SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT:

Motion by Mike, support by Diane, PASSED to approve Resolution Number Two (2) for a street light special assessment district along Whitetail Lane and Four Pt. Lane, as requested by the residents with signed petitions. Roll call vote. Yes: Mike, Diane, Lynn, Rosemary, Petsy, Mary Ellen, and Scott. No: None.

 

REIMBURSEMENT TO ANDY KOPS FOR LAND SALE:

Motion by Mary Ellen, support by Mike, PASSED to table this item until a detail of expenses is provided. Yes: all.

 

HOURLY RATE FOR DEPUTY TREASURER AND DEPUTY ASSESSOR:

Acting on this item was requested by Sue Bell, Deputy Treasurer and Tina Cunningham, Assistant Assessor. In a letter they requested that their hourly wage be increased to be at the same rate as the deputy clerk. Mary Ellen explained the deputy clerk's wage was higher due to her position previously being part time with no benefits, also due to duties involved, and also to salary surveys that were conducted. She stated that since the deputy clerk's position was approved to be full time by the board Sue and Tina want the same rate of pay, according to their letter. Mary Ellen stated that the deputy clerk and the deputy treasurer have a wide variety of duties that are preformed, that both of these positions are bonded positions and have many more responsibilities and oversight, than that of other hourly positions. Mary Ellen stated that she agrees that the deputy treasurer's pay should be increased; however, other hourly positions should be reviewed at budget time and possibly adjusted at the beginning of the fiscal year as is normally done. She stated otherwise all hourly positions need to be adjusted in the middle of the fiscal year. Scott stated that personnel from the fire department and the maintenance department have already approached him stating if raises are given then they want raises also. More discussion followed.

 

Motion by Rosemary, support by Mike, PASSED to approve the adjustment in the deputy treasurer's pay from $12.28 per hour to $13.00 per hour retroactive to June 1, 2006. Roll call vote. Yes: Rosemary, Mike, Diane, Lynn and Mary Ellen. No: Scott and Petsy. Petsy stated that she did not agree with the retroactive portion.

 

BOARD COMMENTS:

Petsy gave the board an update regarding the landowners responses to the letters sent to them in reference to the equestrian trails and the possible donation of their land for the same. Mary Ellen informed the board that the new audio/visual voting equipment has arrived and will be in every precinct in Michigan starting with the August Primary Election. She reminded the board that the equipment was provided by grant money. Scott updated the board about the additional playground equipment that will soon be installed at Beegle Field. Scott stated the attorney reviewed the lease for Duff Field and stated that it is still a legal and binding document, as the Twin Lake Gun Club purchased the land from Reeths Puffer Schools. Scott questioned the board if they wished to continue in this lease for Duff Field. Most board members wanted to continue in the lease for the public's use of the ball field. Mary Ellen stated that a port a jon be placed again at the field.

 

Motion by Diane, support by Mike, PASSED to continue in the lease, now with the Twin Lake Gun Club instead of Reeths Puffer Schools for the lease of the land at Duff Field; and also to place a port a jon a this location. Yes: all.

 

Scott updated the board regarding the Rail Trail going through Dalton Township and the grant money that was donated for the same. It was stated that a new electrical inspector was hired. Discussion followed.

 

Motion by Diane, support by Rosemary, PASSED to approve for Mary Ellen to handle and sign the appropriate paperwork for the new electrical inspector.

 

The sewer projects and costs were once again discussed. Scott stated that Tom Traciak of ACI Finance will be here on the 13th to try to revise and reduce the REU's for those affected by the sewer projects.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Richard Vallier commented about the raise given to the deputy treasurer and stated that she should be adult enough to wait for the raise until the beginning of the fiscal year as others have to wait and also because of the budget constraints at the present time. Bob Crawford was present and asked questions pertaining to the stipulations that the township board placed on the approval of his special use permit. Discussion took place.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

Motion by Rosemary, support by Lynn, PASSED to adjourn at 8:12 p.m.

 

 

DALTON TOWNSHIP BOARD

Scott Hladki Supervisor

Mary Ellen Sherwood Clerk

Rosemary Rinella Treasurer

Michael Hiner Trustee

Elizabeth Jenkins Trustee

Diane Misze Trustee

Lynn Young Trustee

 

Clerk__________________________

Mary Ellen Sherwood