Minutes of the Baroda Township Board Meeting

June 16, 2008

 

The regular meeting of the Baroda Township Board was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Supervisor Jim Brow in the meeting room of the Baroda Township Municipal Building. Those present: Susan Newcomer, Jim Brow, David Wolf, Wendie Shafer and Jerry Nitz along with one resident and two visitors.

 

Bruce Hipshear, candidate for District 78 State Representative in the August Primary Election introduced himself and gave reasons why he is asking for our vote in August.

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS   Chief Gary Ruhl reported that the Police Department is getting ready for the July 3rd Fireworks and the July 12th Nimby Pond race.  He said that he had spoken with Milt Sluder about putting in a temporary road on the Village Industrial Park property letting out onto Hills road to allow more traffic flow going out of the Village after the Fireworks.  He reported that John Hopkins had made a traffic stop that had netted the Department $14,000 in cash and a 1999 vehicle subject to forfeiture to the department.  Chief Ruhl said he would have an updated department inventory on the Clerk’s desk this week. 

 

There was no Fire Department report.  It was noted to remind Chief Klug of the need for his inventory and to schedule physicals for the Firemen.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

General Fund – 84,020.58                                Fire Maintenance Fund – 93,189.25

Trust and Agency Fund 583.39             Baroda-Lake Police Fund – 44,716.11

Fire Equipment Fund – 122,465.48                  Water Fund – 30,779.13

Baroda-Lake Drug Forfeiture Fund – 906.19

 

Susan Newcomer gave a report on the township investments and savings accounts.

 

CLERK’S REPORT  Wendie Shafer presented the budget report. There was no recommendation for amendment.

 

NEW BUSINESS  Jim Brow presented a resolution requested by the Berrien County Drain Commission to approve spending above $2500 per mile on the Hickory Creek Drain.  He said that the Township share would be about $8,000.  David Wolf moved, seconded by Jerry Nitz to approve a resolution to permit the Drain Commissioner to spend over 2,500.00 per mile on the Little Hickory Creek Drain.  Voting Yes – Jerry Nitz, Dave Wolf, Susan Newcomer, Jim Brow, and Wendie Shafer.  Voting No – None.

Resolution adopted # 2008 – 18

 

Wendie Shafer reported on the results of the picnic and survey held on May 31, 2008 at the Baroda Township Park.  She said that the largest items people wanted to see improved at the Park are Flush toilets and new playground equipment.  The idea of a fishing pier on Hess Lake was very popular as was improving the nature trail.  Jim Brow reported that he had been contacted by Don Turney, leader of the local Boy Scout Troop about improving the nature trail as a Troop community project.  The Board felt this would be a good project for the Boy Scout Troop.

 

CONSENT AGENDA  Copies of the minutes of the May 19, 2008 Baroda Township Board meeting, June 2, 2008 Special finance meeting and the June 9, 2008  Planning Commission; and Baroda Township Bills for the month were distributed.  After discussing, Jerry Nitz moved, seconded by Susan Newcomer, to approve the Minutes of the last Board meetings, the Treasurers' Report and the Township Bills. Vote – All Yes.  Motion Carried.

 

SUPERVISOR’S COMMENTS  Jim Brow reported that he had received a flyer from MTA about a workshop covering Special assessments.  He invited any Board members who would like to attend to let the clerk know so arrangements could be made. Jim reported that he Dave Wolf had met with Ben Schwartz and his associate regarding the process for establishing a special assessment district for trash removal in the Township.  David reported that the plan should be drafted within the next two months, then we will hold a public hearing in October to determine the necessity for a special assessment district. A second public hearing would be held in November

 

Jim reported that Kim Fowler had sent a registered letter to Ron Ellsworth noting that there had been no significant improvement on his site. Mr. Ellsworth was given a deadline of next week to make noticeable progress toward cleaning up his junk yard.

 

Jim mentioned that he had received a complaint about our policy of allowing the burial of a cremation remains plus a regular burial on a single lot.  He noted that in this particular instance the cremains had to be disinterred and reburied after the regular burial vault was in place.  Jim said that this could be resolved if we had a columbarium. 

 

AUDIENCE COMMENT  Sue Crocker distributed a letter to the Board members stating that Jim Small was operation a welding shop on Singer Lake Road against the Zoning Ordinance, and had installed large metal decorations in the yard.  She asked the Board to address the issue.  Jim said he would contact Kim Fowler about the problem.

 

ADJOURNMENT  The meeting was adjourned by Supervisor, Jim Brow at 8:30 p.m.

The next meeting of the Baroda Township Board is Monday, July 21, 2008 in the Baroda Township Municipal Building meeting room at 7:30 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Wendie Shafer, Baroda Township Clerk