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

 

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: None.

 

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

 

The special meeting was called to review the budget for the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2007 and for any other business that needs action before our next regular board meeting.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

There were no public comments.

 

MINIMUM LAND BID:

At the previous regular board meeting, Scott stated that there is currently an un-buildable lot and a resident that owns adjoining property requested the township put this land up for bid. Scott stated that it is not a buildable lot as it stands and does no good to the township. Scott stated that it would be buildable if the person that owns the surrounding property is awarded the bid. Scott stated the land is on Birch Street, off of West Lake Road up a large hill near Staple Road and West Lake Roads. He asked the board if this land should be put up for bid and if yes what the minimum bid should be. The minimum bid was deliberated.

 

Scott stated that the person wanting the land stated that he would not pay over a certain dollar amount which was below the amount being discussed. Mary Ellen stated that we can't just give the property away when this person is going to have a buildable site. There are six lots total which measure 25 X 125. She stated even though the township does not get much money from the land sale the schools can benefit and a common sense figure should be made as the minimum bid. Further discussion followed.

 

Motion by Diane, support by Lynn, PASSED to withdraw, and or stop, any action with regard to this land bid request at this time. Yes: all.

 

Scott stated that he would like the board to still consider a minimum bid for this property should it come back to the board again. Discussion followed. Mary Ellen requested the legal descriptions of this property from Scott.

 

Motion by Diane, support by Mike, PASSED, for future reference, to place a minimum land bid for this property at $12,500.00. Yes: all.

 

RAISES FOR HOURLY PERSONNEL:

Mary Ellen stated that at the previous months meeting when a three percent raise was approved for elected officials, Scott stated the raises would be the same for hourly staff as well. Mary Ellen stated that hourly staff and officials raises were never combined and that staff should at least get a cost of living amount. Mary Ellen stated that she and Rosemary would like the officials on the board to consider taking a reduction to 2.5 percent and giving staff 3.6 instead of the 3.0 proposed. She stated that officials' salaries have always been approved by resolution and staff raises should not be linked together. Scott stated that whatever raises staff receives we should receive the same amount, adding that we work hard too. Scott stated that he checked with the attorney and the board can't lower the wages of elected personnel once approved.

Mary Ellen stated if the officials' salary can not be reduced, then she would like the board to consider changing the previous amount approved for staff changed to 3.6 percent. Discussion followed. Mary Ellen stated that for the hourly staff wages to change from 3 percent to 3.6 percent only amounts to pennies in some cases but they still deserve cost of living.

 

Motion by Mary Ellen, support by Rosemary, PASSED, for all hourly staff to receive a 3.6 cost of living wage increase for the upcoming fiscal year. Yes: Mary Ellen, Rosemary, Mike and Diane. No: Scott, Lynn and Petsy.

 

EDUCATION/CONFERENCE EXPENDITURES FOR 07-08:

Motion by Diane, support by Mike, PASSED, for the education and conference be approved and placed in the budget as submitted by Mary Ellen. Yes: Diane, Mike, Rosemary and Mary Ellen. No: Scott, Lynn and Petsy.

 

CAPITAL OUTLAY ITEMS FOR 2007-08:

Mary Ellen stated that she removed one of the capital outlay items that Scott placed on the capital outlay sheet; which was $5,000 for plans to be prepared to expand the township hall. Mary Ellen stated that there is not money for a township hall expansion anyway and that plans were already prepared for this years before that could still be used as brought to her attention by the building inspector, Chris Hall.

 

Motion by Lynn, support by Mike, PASSED, to approve the capital outlay items to be placed in the budget for the general fund which includes, $3,200 for two computers for the treasurer's office and a $10,000 transfer to the cemetery fund for paving the road in the new section of the Twin Lake Cemetery. Yes: Lynn, Mike, Diane, Petsy, Rosemary, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: none.

 

BUDGET REVIEW:

The 2007-08 fiscal year budget was reviewed by each line item for all funds of the township. Each item was discussed and some changes were made. The treasurer submitted a fund balance sheet (funds in the bank accounts) for the funds of the township to show that some funds have a deficit budget on paper such as the Fire Equipment Fund as the bond payments due are more than the revenue that will be received for that fund; however with the fund balance included, the fund is not in a deficit situation. All funds of the township were reviewed which includes the General Fund, the Fire Operating Fund, the Fire Equipment Fund, the Cemetery Fund, the Street Light Fund, the Building Fund, the Dalson Road Debt Retirement Fund, the Strand Road Debt Retirement Fund, the Sewer Trust and Agency Fund, the Water Fund, the Trust and Agency Fund, the Middle Lake Weed Eradication Fund, the West Lake Weed Control Fund, the North Lake Weed Control Fund, and the Williamson Road Sewer Special Assessment Fund. The audience took part in the discussion of the budget. Mary Ellen thanked Rosemary for her extensive assistance with the budget and thanked Rosemary and Stephanie for their help with the budget for the water and sewer funds.

 

There was no action taken on the budget. The public hearing and adoption of the budget will take place on March 12, 2007 at the regular board meeting where a public hearing will be held regarding the same as has been posted and advertised by Mary Ellen in the truth in budgeting notice.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

There were no public comments.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

Motion by Diane, support by Rosemary, PASSED to adjourn the meeting at 9:16 p.m. Yes: all.

 

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