Minutes of the Baroda Township Board Meeting

February 16, 2009

 

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 Amy Hemphill. 

 

PUBLIC HEARING – Supervisor James Brow opened the public hearing for the adoption of the Baroda Township Recreation Plan.  Amy Hemphill, chairman of the Park Committee gave a brief description of the plan.  There was no public comment.  Jim Brow Closed the Public Hearing.

The regular meeting was opened by Supervisor Jim Brow

 

Susan Newcomer moved, seconded by Amy Hemphill for the Baroda Township Board to pass a resolution to adopt the 2009 – 2013 five-year Baroda Township Recreation Plan.  Roll Call Vote – All Yes.  Resolution 2009-4 declared adopted.

 

PARK COMMITTEE REPORT           - Amy Hemphill reported that the Park Committee had looked at play ground equipment geared toward toddlers.  They are in the process of getting prices.  She reported that Jamie Harmon had provided the application form for the Grant we are hoping to receive funds from.  She said that the process takes some time, and we may not know until the fall of 2009 whether we are to receive funds for the Park project. 

 

POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT - Police Chief Gary Ruhl said that the crime rate is very low now, but spring is coming and with it will bring an increase in crime.  He explained several bills listed in the bills report.  He reported that the Police Department had taken delivery of a new 2009 Chevy Tahoe paid for entirely with funds forfeited by Drug dealers.

 

FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT – Richard Herrman reported that the Fire Department had two fire calls last month. He described how mutual assistance between departments works. He displayed a 5# fire extinguisher and explained that the Fire Department is selling them for $50 each and they have 10# fire extinguishers for sale at $80 each.  Rich reported that there is a vacancy in the Fire Department due to the resignation of David Cramton Jr. He said that Ryan Kolberg is in the process of taking fire fighter classes. Jim reported that Tom Carson had complimented the Baroda Fire Department on their work at a Mutual aid fire in Lake Township

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

General Fund – 84,411.00                                  Fire Maintenance Fund – 34,028.00       

Trust and Agency Fund 269.00                           Water Fund – 35,339.0                         

Fire Equipment Fund – 35,679.00                        Rubbish Fund – 46,365.00                     

Baroda Police Fund – 54,009.00                         Baroda-Lake Police Fund – 81,670.00   

Baroda-Lake Drug Forfeiture Fund – 27,957.00

           

CLERK’S and - PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT – Wendie Shafer presented the monthly budget report.  She said that since budget amendments had been made last month, there were no items needing attention. She reported on quotes received from two companies for work on the Master Plan.  She recommended the Board approve hiring Williams and Works for the project.   After discussion; Susan Newcomer moved, seconded by David Wolf to hire Williams and Works to assist in re-doing the Baroda Township Master Plan.  Vote – All Yes Motion Carried. 

Wendie Shafer presented a letter from the Planning Commission recommending approval of the proposed amendments to the Baroda Township Zoning Ordinance.  After discussion, a vote was table until the March 2009 meeting so that the Board members may have more time to look at the document.

 

OLD BUSINESS - Jim Brow reported that the appeals hearing for D. D’Agostino had been held.  He said that the judge would file a brief and we would have a ruling in four to six months.

 

Jim reported that he had called a final meeting between Ron Ellsworth, Kim Fowler and Ben Schwartz to see if an arrangement can be made for the cleaning up of Mr. Ellsworth’s junk yard.

 

Jim reported that he had called the MTA to ask about the legal opinion we had requested concerning a Rubbish funding Special Assessment.  He received it by fax the next day.

 

Jim reported that he had met with John Gast and Ben Schwartz concerning the Baroda and Lake Township Police Department Agreement. Another meeting has been set between John Gast, Scott Dienes, Lake Charter Township’s attorney, Jim Brow and Ben Schwartz, Baroda Twp. Attorney.  He said developing a revised agreement could be a long process. 

 

NEW BUSINESS – David Wolf reported on information received from insurance companies regarding the insurance needs of the Township. Melissa from Western Insurance spoke from the audience in favor of staying with their company.  David Wolf moved, seconded by Susan Newcomer to request quotes from the MML (Michigan Municipal League), and Gibson Insurance Company to begin on April 1, 2009.  Voting Yes- 4; Voting No,-1.  Motion Carried.

 

CONSENT AGENDA- Copies of the minutes of January 19, 2008 Baroda Township Board meeting, February 9, 2009 Planning Commission; and Baroda Township Bills for the month were distributed.  After discussion, Amy Hemphill moved, seconded by David 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 the new Evos playground equipment had been delivered and that John Baird has generously allowed us to store them at no cost in two bays of his Storage facility until the weather clears enough for the equipment to be installed at the Park.

 

Jim reported that a developer had approached the Township about the possibility of constructing a high-end Recreational Vehicle Park on the Mead Meadows property. He reported that there were some issues with sewer lines that will need to be worked out, among other issues involving the Zoning Ordinance.

 

ADJOURNMENT - The meeting was adjourned by Supervisor, Jim Brow at 8:27 p.m...

The next regular meeting of the Baroda Township Board is Monday, March 16, 2009 in the Baroda Township Municipal Building meeting room at 7:30 p.m. The next meeting of the Baroda Township Board is a budget meeting scheduled for February 26, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.

 

 

 

Wendie Shafer, Baroda Township Clerk