BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chris Hall, Elizabeth (Petsy) Jenkins, Mike Hiner, Merle H. Hittle, James Lothschutz, and Ross McCloskey.

 

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Mary Ellen Sherwood.

 

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

 

Motion by Merle, support by Ross, PASSED to amend the agenda to add a couple items. One, to create a township policy as to who has authority to contact the township attorney, and second, to authorize a state audit. Yes: Merle, Ross, Jim, Elizabeth, Mike, Chris. No: none.

 

MINUTES:

There being no comments or corrections, the Regular board meeting minutes of June 8, 2009 and the Special meeting minutes of June 9, 2009 are placed on file.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

David Less stated that there is a house on Blue Lake Road that is in foreclosure and the house has a major sand pit in the back yard. He said there is standing water in the pit and suggested that this be taken care of as it dangerous and is breeding mosquitoes. He stated this is also hurting the land value of other homes in the neighborhood.

 

TREASURER'S REPORT:

As of June 30, 2009, the General Fund has $145,306.66, Fire Operating Fund has $148,054.28, and Fire Equipment Fund has $28,082.10. There is $251,689.81 in the Investment Fund (C.D.’s). The Treasurer's Report was accepted and placed on file for audit. An Income Report was also received for the General, Fire and Building Funds.

 

MONTHLY BILLS:

Motion by Ross, support by Merle, PASSED to approve the monthly bills as submitted. Yes: Ross, Merle, Mike, Jim, Elizabeth, and Chris. No: none.

 

General Fund bills totaling $64,330.48 through check number 20614. Fire Fund bills totaling $5,891.31 through check number 10400. Cemetery Fund bills totaling $480.57 through check number 1012. Bills were also paid from the building fund and other self-supporting miscellaneous funds.

 

FIRE BUSINESS:

Supervisor, Chris Hall stated that Chief Furman is not able to make the meeting tonight. The Incident Log for June 2009 was submitted and states that there were 41 calls with an average response time of 7.08 minutes.

 

Fire Chief’s Contract. The five mile radius from the fire station as stated in the fire chief’s Employment Contract was discussed. State law (Public Act 212) was discussed which prevents the township from requiring the fire chief to live within a five mile radius from the fire station, as is currently stated in employment contract. It was stated that this is the only change that can be made in the employment contract at this time.

 

Motion by Merle, support by Jim, PASSED to strike the five mile radius requirement as stated in the fire chief’s employment contract. Yes: Merle, Jim, Mike, Ross, Elizabeth, and Chris. No: none.

 

MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT:

Shingle Dumpster at the transfer station. Chris explained that, Crutchall Resource Recycling submitted a proposal to the township to provide a dumpster at the transfer station only for shingles. The proposal states if the board allows the dumpster for this purpose the cost to the township will be $220.00 per trip. This fee would include all dumping fees, dumpster charges, and transportation fees. Our employees will notify them when the dumpster is full and they will promptly remove the container and replace it with an empty container.

 

Motion by Merle, support by Ross, PASSED to authorize the township supervisor to enter into a contract for this service. Yes: Merle, Mike, Ross, Jim, Elizabeth, and Chris. No: none.

 

COMPLIANCE OFFICER REPORT:

Compliance Officer, Frank Swiatek, gave the board an update of violations since the beginning of the year and the status of the cases. He complimented the board with regard to the free dump passes that were mailed to residents of the township.

 

POLICY REGARDING WHO MAY CONTACT THE TOWNSHIP ATTORNEY:

Motion by Merle, support by Ross, PASSED to set a policy to have all communications for the township attorney to be communicated through the township supervisor. Yes: Merle, Ross, Mike, Jim, Elizabeth, and Chris. No: none.

 

STATE AUDIT:

Motion by Merle, support by Ross, PASSED to authorize the township supervisor to request a state audit, if and when, it is deemed necessary. Yes: Merle, Ross, Mike, Jim, Elizabeth, and Chris. No: none.

 

REVISED EMPLOYEE POLICY:

Many items in this revised document were discussed. Revisions were discussed including amendments to the sick leave and lunch time. Elizabeth stated that a possible short term disability policy is still being investigated. It was mentioned that the attorney will probably be suggesting other amendments to this document as well. The current opt out for medical insurance is not addressed in this revised policy. Chris stated that the percentage paid to employees that is currently in place for opt out of medical insurance will stay in place as it is for now. Chris stated that this will be discussed at the beginning of 2010.

 

Motion by Ross, support by Merle, PASSED to approve the revised employee policy as submitted, amending section 7.6.2 to state a twenty day maximum. Yes: Ross, Merle, Mike, Jim, Elizabeth, and Chris. No: none.

 

BUDGET AMENDMENT:

Amend the revenues line of the budget 101-000-689-000 to add $23,000.00 from a CD transfer from SPX Credit Union to appropriations line 101-289-740-000 in the amount of $25,000.00 for money put into a CD at Michigan Costal Credit Union.

 

Motion by Mike, support by Elizabeth, PASSED to approve the budget amendment as submitted. Yes: Mike, Elizabeth, Jim, Ross, Merle, and Chris. No: none.

 

DALSON ROAD IMPROVEMENT:

The Muskegon County Road Commission is looking at doing wedge work on Dalson Road between Bard and Sweeter Roads. This is going to be a cost share with Cedar Creek Township, Dalton Township, and the Muskegon County Road Commission. Dalton Township’s cost share will be $12,667.00. Chris stated that there is $10.000.00 budgeted for this purpose.

 

Motion by Merle, support by Mike, PASSED to approve the Dalson Road improvements in the amount of $13.000.00 and give the supervisor authorization to move money within the road department budget for this purpose. Yes: Merle, Mike, Ross, Jim, Elizabeth, and Chris. No: none.

 

PAYROLL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Motion by Merle, support by Ross, PASSED to keep the payroll responsibilities in the Clerk’s Office and conducted in house and performed as outlined in the personnel policy. Yes: Merle, Ross, Mike, Jim, Elizabeth, and Chris. No: none.

 

HOURS AND PAY FOR NEW DEPUTY CLERK:

Motion by Chris, support by Ross, PASSED to continue with the employee that is currently working through the Work Force Development Program for one more month or until her time is done and until additional information is obtained from Stacy and additional information is obtained regarding wages and hours for this position. Yes: Chris, Ross, Mike, Merle, Jim, and Elizabeth. No: none.

 

POLICY FOR PERSONNEL FILES:

Chris stated that this issue is now resolved as it is outlined in the newly revised personnel policy that was approved tonight.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Connie Burchfield questioned how many employees are on leave at this time. Connie also made comments about lunch hours at the township hall. Former Township Treasurer, Rosemary Rinella-Johnson, questioned why the township treasurer is now hiring an outside company to print and send out tax bills. She explained why she believes this should be done in house as it has been done in the past. Elizabeth stated that this is a cost savings to the township. County Commissioner, Chuck Buzzell, suggested that the shingles collected at the transfer station be recycled and he explained his reasons for the same.

 

BOARD COMMENTS:

Mike stated that he has met the new employee at the transfer station and stated that he appears to be doing a good job. Merle stated that he wants the fire department rules and regulations be put on the next agenda. Chris stated that the Drain Commissioner is working on possible improvements to the Fred Dow Drain. Additional information will be brought back to the board in the next few months. Chris gave the board information regarding the Sports and Shorts Program at Twin Lake Elementary School. He stated the budget is on track for this fiscal year. Chris updated the board on the two employees that are working for the township through the work force development program and stated that are both doing a good job. Chris stated that the road commission has informed him that they are out of money for pot hole repairs, unless it is a dangerous hole that may cause an accident.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

Motion to adjourn the meeting. Yes: all.

 

DALTON TOWNSHIP BOARD

Chris Hall Supervisor

Mary Ellen Sherwood Clerk

Elizabeth (Petsy) Jenkins Treasurer

Michael Hiner Trustee

Merle H. Hittle Trustee

James Lothschutz Trustee

Ross McCloskey Trustee

 

Clerk__________________________

Mary Ellen Sherwood