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

 

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Mike Hiner.

 

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

 

MINUTES:

Elizabeth stated that there were no public comments and no ordinance enforcement report at the last meeting and she would like it reflected in the minutes that there is nothing to report on these two items. Mary Ellen stated if there is nothing to report then it is usually not mentioned in the minutes. Elizabeth stated since these are agenda items they should be in the minutes stating that there is nothing to report. The Regular board meeting minutes of August 10, 2009, are placed on file.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Connie Burchfield stated that the board members are stewards of the township and reminds us to keep the residents best interest at heart and also to remind everyone to curtail spending.

 

TREASURER'S REPORT:

As of August 31, 2009, the General Fund has $114,642.66, Fire Operating Fund has $110,236.01, and Fire Equipment Fund has $28,105.95. There is $251,869.71 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. Motion by James, support by Ross, PASSED to accept the Treasurer’s Report as submitted. Yes: all.

 

MONTHLY BILLS:

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

 

General Fund bills totaling $59,701.37 through check number 20758. Fire Fund bills totaling $3,340.18 through check number 10446. Cemetery Fund bills totaling $94.62 through check number 1014. Bills were also paid from the Building Fund, the Street Light Fund, and other self-supporting miscellaneous funds.

 

FIRE BUSINESS:

The Incident Log for August 2009 was submitted and states that there were 56 calls with an average response time of 6.28 minutes.

 

Sale or trade-in of two fire department vehicles. Discussion took place regarding the sale or trade-in of the 2006 Dodge Magnum and the 2005 Dodge Ram Command Truck.

 

Motion by Merle, support by Ross, PASSED to attempt to trade in the two fire department vehicles mentioned for a new, or good used vehicle, and bring the results back to the board next month. Yes: Merle, Ross, Jim, Elizabeth, Mary Ellen, and Chris. No: none.

 

The Annual Fire Department Open House is scheduled for October 14, 2009 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 pm. With the parade line up at 5:30 p.m.

 

MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT:

Bids were requested for a 20’ X 30’ X 6” #6 sac limestone cement paid at the township’s transfer station. Three bids were received. Chris stated that $2,500.00 was budgeted for this purpose.

 

Motion by Ross, support by Merle, PASSED to approve the bid from C-W Berghuis Masonry in the amount of $1,650.00 and to include an additional amount up to $150.00 for wire mesh if this is not included in the bid amount. Yes: Ross, Merle, Jim, Elizabeth, Mary Ellen, and Chris. No: none.

 

Cell phone for the Maintenance Supervisor, Chris McPheron. Prices were sought for the same from three companies.

 

Motion by Chris, support by Jim, PASSED to approve the cell phone agreement with Alltell. Yes: Chris, Jim, Merle, Ross, Elizabeth, and Mary Ellen. No: none.

 

COMPLIANCE OFFICER REPORT:

Compliance Officer, Frank Swiatek, reported that there have been 53 complaints filed for this year, adding that three are pending. Further discussion took place.

 

PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS:

No business to act upon from the Planning Commission.

 

RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE THE PLANNING COMMISSION ORDINANCE:

A draft Ordinance was received from the township attorney which would continue the status and operations of the Township Planning Commission under the terms of the new Michigan Planning Enabling Act, Act 33 of the Public Acts of Michigan of 2008. The Planning Commission has reviewed the proposed ordinance and found it to be satisfactory, with one amendment to the draft.

 

Motion by Merle, support by Elizabeth, PASSED to approve the Ordinance of the Planning Commission as prepared. Yes: Merle, Elizabeth, Jim, Ross, Mary Ellen, and Chris. No: none.

 

RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE PURCHASING POLICY:

Motion by Merle, support by Jim, PASSED to approve the updated Purchasing Policy to be included into the Township’s Personnel Policy as Appendix A. Yes: Merle, Jim, Ross, Elizabeth, Mary Ellen, and Chris. No: none.

 

BIDS FOR SEWER CONNECTIONS:

Motion by Merle, support by Ross, PASSED to approve for the Township to use Ryerson Sewer installers of Montague for sewer connections. Yes: Merle, Ross, Jim, Elizabeth, Mary Ellen, and Chris. No: none.

 

RESOLUTION FOR STREET LIGHTS:

Motion by Merle, support by Ross, PASSED to approve the Resolution from Consumers Energy authorizing a change in the Standard Street Lighting Contract to add additional streetlights at the NW corner of River Road and Beattie Road and to add a streetlight at Beattie Road and McMillan Road. Yes: Merle, Ross, Jim, Elizabeth, Mary Ellen, and Chris. No: none.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

None.

 

BOARD COMMENTS:

Discussion took place regarding an insurance payment reimbursement to the former township clerk. Road ditching was also discussed.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:02 p.m. 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