Minutes of the Baroda Township Board Meeting

September 15, 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   Rich Herrman gave the Fire Department report saying that so far this year the Fire Department had responded to 20 calls.  There was one fire call this month that turned out to be a cancelled call.  Dave Wolf asked about the Fire Department inventory. Rich said he knows that the Chief is working on it.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

General Fund – 33,443.55                                Fire Maintenance Fund – 74,359.95

Trust and Agency Fund 267.45             Baroda-Lake Police Fund – 66,493.48

Fire Equipment Fund – 122,603.72                  Water Fund – 34,788.44

Baroda-Lake Drug Forfeiture Fund – 1,461.26

 

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

 

CLERK’S REPORT  Wendie Shafer presented the budget report. She presented the need for several line items to be amended on the Budget.  Jerry Nitz moved, Seconded by Dave Wolf to amend the budget as presented.  After discussion, Vote – All yes.  M.C.

 

PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT  Wendie Shafer reported that the Planning Commission has hired Langworthy, Strader, and LeBlanc to work on amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to comply with the new Zoning Enabling Act amendments and the new Planning Enabling Act and to provide language to be included in the Zoning Ordinance dealing with Wind Turbines.

 

AUDIENCE COMMENT  Dena Riley from Lincoln Twp. Public Library reported on the Estate Planning Works to be held October 14th and 18th.  She said that musician Kevin Blair will be in concert there on Tuesday at 7 p.m.  She reported that a “picture America” historical display is available to teachers and home-schoolers for about eight weeks. The Library has quit the practice of holding a book for a patron for more than three business days.

 

Tom Giudice reported that he has finally received approved petitions he plans to circulate throughout Baroda Township regarding high speed internet, phone and cable service to the Township.  Rich Herrman said that the Fire Department was having trouble getting a signal for the internet from the Village router.  Mr. Giudice said he would look at the problem and work on a solution for ?($15) ?( $50)per hour.

 

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

 

Jim said that he and Kim Fowler had met with Ron Ellsworth for about 2 1/2 hours about 10 days ago.  Mr. Ellsworth was given one week to decide to either clean up or get a lawyer.  Kim Fowler met with Mr. Ellsworth again last Friday.  At that time Mr. Ellsworth was given one week to meet with his lawyer and to come up with a written plan for cleaning up his junk yard that both He and the Township could agree to.  He told Kim that he would like to stay in business another two years.

 

Wendie reported that the Planning Commission would perform the annual review of the Mark Schutze Snowmobile Race permit on October 13, 2008 at the next Planning Commission meeting.  It was noted that letters would be sent to the adjoining property owners.  The question was raised as to who should be responsible for enforcing the requirements set forth by the Planning Commission.  It was decided that the Ordinance Enforcement Officer will be responsible. 

 

NEW BUSINESS  Jim Brow reported that he was contacted by Brian Berndt from the County Road Commission asking the Township to consider giving money to the bridge project on Snow Road just east of Cleveland Ave.  Jim explained that the Road Commission has a meager budget, and that the tube to be installed would cost at least $20,000, with an additional $20,000 for Hasse to install it.  He noted that several farmers in that area need a bridge that can handle over 16 tons of weight,  Rich Herrman pointed out that it would also be a concern for the Fire Trucks as well. Jerry Nitz asked for more information.  He wants to see that the job is done right.  Dave Wolf asked to see the plans for the job so he can determine if the Township would be paying for a worthwhile project.  Action was tabled until the October meeting. 

 

Jim Brow and Susan Newcomer gave a report on the meeting with the Township Auditor. Jim said it was a clean audit and that Baroda Township is in sound financial condition.  Discussion was held concerning the balances in the Fire Maintenance and Fire Equipment funds.  The majority of the board members felt that the Township could levy less than the voted millage for some time.  It was suggested that there could be the possibility of having a millage for Park maintenance.  The Board set a budget workshop for October 6, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.

 

CONSENT AGENDA  Copies of the minutes of August 08, 2008 Baroda Township Board meeting, September 8, 2008  Planning Commission; and Baroda Township Bills for the month were distributed.  After discussing, Jerry Nitz moved, seconded by Dave Wolf, to approve the Minutes of the last Board meeting, the Treasurers' Report and the Township Bills. Vote – All Yes.  Motion Carried.

 

SUPERVISOR’S COMMENTS  Jim Brow reported that he had received applications for the Zoning Administrator position from Tom Giudice and Jim Pheifer.  Jim said that Jim Pheifer is presently filling in as interim Zoning Administrator.  He said that he hopes to fill the position very soon.

 

Jim reported that now that the audit is over, he plans to schedule a meeting of the Park Committee for this week since Jamie Byce from Wightman will be unavailable for the following three weeks.  Jim suggested that the Township have the old playground equipment removed at the end of the season and sell what we can for scrap. 

 

ADJOURNMENT  The meeting was adjourned by Supervisor, Jim Brow at 8:47 p.m.

The next regular meeting of the Baroda Township Board is Monday, October 20, 2008 in the Baroda Township Municipal Building meeting room at 7:30 p.m.  The next meeting of the Township Board is to be a Budget Workshop held on October 6, 2008 in the Baroda Township Office at 7:30 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

 

Wendie Shafer, Baroda Township Clerk