Minutes of the Baroda Township Board Meeting

October 20, 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 three residents and one visitor.

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS - Police Chief Gary Ruhl reported that John Hopkins has brought just under $17,000 and a ’99 Jeep Cherokee to the Department in Drug seizures since he was hired as a full time officer.  He reported that the Police Department would not participate in handing out candy this year because all of the units would be needed to patrol for Halloween.

 

Rich Herrman gave the Fire Department report saying that The Fire Department had been called to a leaf fire in the Mobile Park  He said that Ryan Kolberg has begun Fire Fighter classes.  He said that the Fire Department is planning to hand out Trick-or Treat candy on Halloween. Rich reported that the interdepartmental Chili Cook off is to be held at Dominion Chevy in Bridgman next Saturday from 11am – 1 pm.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

General Fund – 72,578.44                                Fire Maintenance Fund – 60,733.76

Trust and Agency Fund 267.84             Baroda-Lake Police Fund – 100,562.45

Fire Equipment Fund – 120,610.94                  Water Fund – 33,639.30

Baroda-Lake Drug Forfeiture Fund – 7,364.33

 

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

 

CLERK’S REPORT - Wendie Shafer presented the budget report. She said there were no items needing immediate attention. 

PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT - Wendie Shafer reported that the Planning Commission has hired Langworthy, Strader, and LeBlanc (LSL) to work on amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to comply with the new Zoning Enabling Act amendments.  She reported that the Planning Commission had approved Mark Schutze to hold Snowmobile Races for another year.  There are points in the Special Land Use Agreement that were not upheld in 2008, and are to be remedied by the 2009 races.  She said that LSL has sent a draft of the changes needing to be made to the Zoning Ordinance and will be discussed at the next Planning Commission meeting.

 

AUDIENCE COMMENT - Dena Riley from Lincoln Twp. Public Library reported on the activities available at the Library. 

 

Tom Giudice reported that he was visited by Federal Communications Agents concerning Comcast ant Verizon service to the Township of Baroda.  He feels that this is because he has made complaints and has shown that the Companies involved have made claims of providing service where no service exists.

 

OLD BUSINESS - Jim Brow reported that he was still waiting for a ruling from Judge Donahue on the Durwood D’Agostino, Singer Lake issue.

 

Jim said that meetings with Ron Ellsworth have not produced any real progress in cleaning up the junk yard.  Kim Fowler agreed to help Mr. Ellsworth come up with a written plan for cleaning up his junk yard that both He and the Township could agree to. 

Jim Feels that it is likely that the only way the property will be cleaned up is if we take Mr. Ellsworth to court.   It was agreed that Jim should contact Catherine Kaufman from Troff Petzke & Ammeson. 

 

The question as to whether Baroda Township should share in the cost of installing a tube under the Snow Road Bridge as the County Road Commission has requested was discussed.  Jerry Nitz moved to pay $1500 on the project. After further discussion, the motion was withdrawn.  Susan Newcomer moved to table the decision until a representative of the County Road Commission could attend a Township Board meeting to explain why we should contribute to the project. 

 

Jim Brow reported that the new Zoning Administrator, Jim Pheifer said that in the Nitz Excavating business problem the Baroda Zoning Board of Appeals could either deny Mr. Nitz’s request for a re-zoning, or grant a conditional zoning.  It was decided that Mr. Pheifer will be paid by the hour at a rate of $25 per hour.

 

NEW BUSINESS - Jim Brow reported that the playground toys in the Township Park playground have been removed.  The sand box and spring toys are still remaining.  He plans to have the Park Committee meet this week to work on a plan for replacing the playground equipment at the Park.

 

CONSENT AGEND - Copies of the minutes of September 15, 2008 Baroda Township Board meeting, October 13, 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 meeting, the Treasurers' Report and the Township Bills. Vote – All Yes.  Motion Carried.

 

ADJOURNMENT - The meeting was adjourned by Supervisor, Jim Brow at 8:28 p.m.

The next regular meeting of the Baroda Township Board is Monday, November 17, 2008 in the Baroda Township Municipal Building meeting room at 7:30 p.m

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

Wendie Shafer, Baroda Township Clerk