Minutes of the
The regular meeting of the Baroda Township Board was called
to order at
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Chief Gary Ruhl reported that the Police Department had worked several
accidents in the past year involving elderly drivers. He is concerned that there are elderly
drivers who should probably not be driving.
He reported on the August NIMBY Pond Snowmobile race event. He said there were no problems from the police
department’s perspective. There were a
couple of men who were related to one another who had an altercation which was
stopped. Chief Ruhl said that he would
suggest to Mark Schutze that he begin registration earlier, or consider
pre-registration in order to start the races by
TREASURER’S REPORT
General Fund – 83,785.65 Fire Maintenance Fund – 79,230.56
Trust and Agency Fund 266.86 Baroda-Lake
Police Fund – 68,612.76
Fire Equipment Fund – 122,417.08 Water Fund – 32,729.43
Baroda-Lake Drug Forfeiture Fund – 1,388.04
Susan Newcomer gave a report on the township investments and savings accounts.
CLERK’S REPORT Wendie Shafer presented the budget report. There was a recommendation to amendment the budget in September for Cemetery and Park supplies.
PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT Wendie Shafer reported that the Planning Commission is working on amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to comply with the new Zoning Enabling Act amendments and the new Planning Enabling Act. Langworthy, Strader, LeBlanc has been contacted for a quote on working on developing a master plan citizen survey and review of the master plan, and to review changes needed to comply with the new MZEA and MPEA acts.
AUDIENCE COMMENT Tom
Giudice reported that he has contacted a person from Comcast who would like
help get cable service throughout
NEW BUSINESS Roger
Zilke, Berrien County Drain Commissioner described plans to clean out the
Neidlinger and Neidlinger Lateral drains.
He said that the Neidlinger Drain was previously considered a part of
the Star & Wellington Drain, but for the purpose of engineering and
planning of repairs, the drains have been divided. He requested the Township Board to pass a
resolution giving his department permission to spend over $2,500 per mile to
clean out and expand the drain. He also
explained the work to be done on the Star & Wellington Drain which should
eliminate the drainage problems on
Senate, one of which would increase the amount of money the Drain Commissioner could spend without additional resolutions from local entities from $2,500 to $5,000 per mile. He encouraged the Board members to contact our State representatives to vote in favor of the bills.
David Wolf moved, seconded by Jerry Nitz to adopt a resolution allowing the Drain Commission to spend more than $2,500 for work on the Neidlinger and Neidlinger & Lateral Drains. After discussion a vote was taken. Voting yes – Jerry Nitz, David Wolf, Susan Newcomer, Jim Brow, and Wendie Shafer. Voting No – none. Resolution Adopted
Wendie Shafer distributed copies of the Baroda Township Investment Policy and explained the need to re-adopt the Policy. She said that the names of the banks that the Township uses have had name changes since last time the document had been adopted. A change needed to be made requiring a monthly financial report to comply with the GASB requirements. Susan requested adding Fifth Third Bank to the list of approved institutions. After discussion, Jerry Nitz moved, seconded by Susan Newcomer to adopt the Baroda Township Investment Policy as amended. Voting Yes – Jerry Nitz, David Wolf, Susan Newcomer, Jim Brow and Wendie Shafer. Voting No – none. Resolution Adopted
CONSENT AGENDA Copies
of the minutes of the
SUPERVISOR’S COMMENTS
Jim Brow reported that on August 12, he attended a MTA workshop covering
Special assessments and Ordinance Enforcement in
Jim said that the Park Committee would meet soon after we have confirmation from the Township Auditor that there is sufficient money in the General Fund to implement plans for Park improvements.
The court hearing before Judge Donahue on the Durwood D’Agostino Singer Lake property dispute was held last week. Jim reported that Judge Donahue was well prepared and had asked many questions. A written ruling is to be made in thirty days.
Jim Pfeiffer, Lincoln Charter Township Zoning Administrator has
agreed to work on the Dan Nitz Excavation special Use and Application for
re-zoning for
ADJOURNMENT The
meeting was adjourned by Supervisor, Jim Brow at
The next meeting of the Baroda Township Board is
Respectfully Submitted,
Wendie Shafer, Baroda Township Clerk