MEMBERS PRESENT: Chris Hall, Merle H. Hittle, James Lothschutz, Elizabeth (Petsy) Jenkins,

                                           Mike Hiner, and Ross McCloskey.

 

MEMBERS ABSENT: Mary Ellen Sherwood.

 

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

 

MINUTES: 

The closed session minutes of February 8^th, 2010 were reviewed. Motion by Ross, support by Mike, PASSED to accept the minutes as presented and place on file. Yes: Ross, Mike, Jim, Petsy, Chris. No: Merle. 

The regular meeting minutes of February 8^th, 2010 were reviewed. Motion by Mike, support by Jim. PASSED to accept the minutes as presented and placed on file. Yes: Mike, Jim, Merle, Ross, Petsy, Chris. No: none.   

The special meeting minutes of February 24^th, 2010 were reviewed. Motion by Chris, support by Mike, PASSED to accept the minutes as presented and to be placed on file. Yes: Chris, Mike, Ross, Jim. No: Merle, Elizabeth.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT: Richard Vallier, 1120 E. River Rd, inquired about who was taking the minutes and where the recorder was. He asked why minutes were not available to the public for the special meetings. Chris explained that the first meeting was a closed session regarding an opinion letter from the attorney. He questioned the bills from the fire department. Chris noted that some of the bills were voided. Richard also inquired about Dalton Fleet Service. Chris explained that Dalton Fleet Service is a business that works on the fire trucks not a business that is owned by the Township.   

 

TREASURER’S REPORT: 

As of March 1st the General Fund has $221,223.93, Fire Operating Fund has $27,888.76, the Fire Equipment Fund has $7,633.34, and the Investment Fund (CDs) has $256,143.88. The Treasurer’s report was accepted and placed on file for audit.

 

MONTHLY BILLS: 

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

General Fund bills totaling $%2,375.47 through check number 2245. Fire Fund bills totaling $9,444.14 through check number 4087. Cemetery Fund bill totaling $39.32 through check number 6008. Bills were also paid from the Building Fund, Street Light Fund, and other self-supporting miscellaneous fields.

 

FIRE BUSINESS:

The Incident Log for February 2010 was submitted. There were 46 alarms with an average response time of 7 minutes 37 seconds.  Chris stated there is a fire fighter here tonight who has completed his training and probationary period. He requested the board to approve Brian Balder to be removed from probationary status and approved as a fire fighter.

Motion by Merle, support by Mike, PASSED to approve Brian Balder as a fire fighter and remove him from probationary status. Yes: Merle, Mike, Ross, Jim, Petsy, and Chris. No: none.

 

MAINTENANCE REPORT:

Chris McPheron, Maintenance Supervisor, said he has enough fertilizer (42 bags) for all the Township properties. He just needs crabgrass preventer at a cost of $1,068.66 which can wait until the new budget year.   

 

COMPLIANCE OFFICER REPORT: 

Frank Swiatek was not present. 

 

BOARD COMMENTS: None.

 

PLANNING COMMISSION: None.

 

MICHILLINDA ROAD SPECIAL ASSESSMENT RESOLUTION #2 AND #3:

Chris explained to those present that he received a letter the week before from a resident on Michillinda Road requesting that their name be removed from the petition which lowered the signatures to less than the 50% required. So the assessment stops now unless the residents can gain more than 50% again. Other options for the special assessment were discussed including paying for gravel/grading or additional brining. 

 

FREE DUMP PASSES:

Previous years cleanups were discussed. Spring clean-up last year cost $3,794.20 for the one free dump day. Chris Hall received a quote from Micrographics Printing of $1,125.72 for a postcard with two dump passes. Motion by Mike, support by Ross, PASSED to approve two dump passes per year and the purchasing of said postcards from Micrographics Printing. Yes: Ross, Merle, Mike, Jim, Petsy, Chris. No: none. 

 

RECOMMENDATION FOR LIQUOR LICENSE FOR 3003 WHITEHALL ROAD:

Chris explained that a recommendation for a liquor license for Blarney Castle was requested by the State Liquor Control Board.

Motion by Mike, support by Jim, PASSED approve the recommendation for a liquor license for 3003 Whitehall Road.

Yes: Mike, Jim, Merle, Ross, Petsy, Chris. No: none.

 

FIRE CHIEF POSITION:

Motion by Merle, support by Mike, PASSED to have a full time fire chief. Full time to be Monday thru Thursday, 8 hours per day, on call nights and weekends just like the previous Chief. Yes: Merle, Mike, Petsy, Jim No: Ross, Chris. Merle clarified that the on call nights and weekends was for Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Motion by Merle, support by Mike, PASSED to approve the Fire Chief pay of $38,800.00 + 11% for pension and all benefits as pertains through the personnel policy. Yes: Merle, Mike, Petsy, Jim, Chris. No: Ross.

Discussion took place on who would interview the prospects as well as advertising for the position. Qualifications would be available in the Township offices and online.

Motion by Merle, support by Jim, FAILED to place the ad in the Muskegon Chronicle and the White Lake Beacon. Yes: Merle, Jim, Mike. No: Petsy, Ross, Chris.

Motion by Jim, support by Mike, PASSED to place the ad in the Muskegon Chronicle and Mlive. Yes: Jim, Mike, Merle, Chris. No: Petsy, Ross.

The hiring process was discussed. 

Motion by Merle, support by Mike, to create an interview committee consisting of 1 firefighter, 1 trustee, 1 member of the fire commission, and 2 residents for the first round of interviews.    Merle withdrew the motion. Mike withdrew his support.

Motion by Merle, support by Mike, PASSED to create an interview committee consisting of 1 board member, 1 firefighter, 2 area fire chiefs, and 1 fire commission member for the first round of interviews to narrow the field of candidates down to five. Yes: Merle, Mike, Ross, Jim, Petsy, Chris. No: none. 

Motion by Ross, support by Petsy, PASSED to have the second round of interviews conducted by the Fire Chiefs Association, consisting of 3 Fire Chiefs from outside of the area, to narrow the search down from five to a minimum of two of the top applications which will then go before the Township Board. Yes: Ross, Petsy, Mike, Jim, Chris. No: Merle.

Motion by Mike to nominate Chris Hall to be the board representative on the interview committee. Motion died due to lack of support. 

Jim volunteered to be the board member on the interview committee.   The board recommended Cindy Smith to be the fire commission representative. The board recommended Brian Balder to be the firefighter representative.

The board agreed that advertising will be for 10 days. Cut off for submissions will be 15 days from the first day of advertising.

 

REVIEW PAST BOARD MEETING MINUTES:

The October 13, 2009 minutes were discussed. Merle read an email from the Mary Ellen stating that the minutes were already approved at the December meeting. Merle said he made a motion to approve the October 19^th, 2009 minutes. Petsy and Chris agreed that the minutes of the October 13^th meeting were not approved. Merle noted that they did not amend the Fire Chief’s contract. 

Mary Ellen also asked in the email that the board address the hours and pay for the Deputy Clerk position. The board said it is up to the Clerk to appoint a deputy. They said the pay is $500.00 per year.

Motion by Merle, support by Mike, PASSED to approve the October 13, 2009 minutes, which state that the agenda was amended to add the Fire Chief’s contract under fire business, as corrected by Chris Hall. Yes: Merle, Mike, Ross, Jim, Elizabeth, Chris. No: none.

 

BOARD/PUBLIC COMMENT:

Richard Vallier applauded the board for its work regarding the hiring of a new Fire Chief. He also commented on the Deputy Clerk position. David Less, 6475 Cat Road, inquired about roads being proposed to be ground up by the Road Commission. He does not agree with the roads being ground up. 

Chris informed the board that a resident is proposing a land swap for a landlocked parcel the Township owns. He will get more information for the board when the resident comes back to town.  Richard Vallier asked if there was any money in the new budget for roads. Chris said they had to cut over $60,000.00 from the budget, so there are no extra funds.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

Motion by Mike, support by Ross, PASSED to adjourn. All in favor.                       

                 

Elizabeth (Petsy) Jenkins Treasurer

Michael Hiner  Trustee

Merle H. Hittle  Trustee

James Lothschutz  Trustee

Ross McCloskey  Trustee

 

Clerk: ______________________________

Mary Ellen Sherwood