Minutes of the
January 19, 2009
The regular meeting of the Baroda
Township Board was called to order at
LIBRARY REPORT – Lila Towney from the Lincoln Township Public Library gave a
report on events at the Library. She
highlighted new Web based programs for children and adults.
PARK COMMITTEE REPORT - Jamie Harmon from Wightman and
Associates presented the proposed 5-year Recreation Plan for
David Wolf moved, seconded by
Amy Hemphill to accept the proposal from Wightman and Associates to apply for
grants on behalf of the Township to help fund the improvements spelled out in
the Park Plan for $1,500. Vote – All
Yes. Motion Carried
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT -
Police Chief Gary Ruhl said that one good thing about winter is that the crime
rate is very low. He explained several
bills listed in the bills report. He
presented the proposed Police Fund Budget for 2009-2010, noting that the budget did not take into
account the change that is occurring due to the
FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT -
Susan Newcomer presented the minutes of the Fire Board meeting held on
TREASURER’S REPORT
Unreconciled Checking
Account Totals Baroda-Lake Drug Forfeiture Fund –
36,048.00
General Fund – 91,862.00 Fire
Maintenance Fund – 44,878.00
Trust and Agency Fund 269.00 Water Fund –
35,310.00
Fire Equipment Fund –
35,650.00 Rubbish
Fund – 62,446.00
CLERK’S and - PLANNING
COMMISSION REPORT – Wendie Shafer presented the monthly budget report. She listed several items that needed to be
amended. David Wolf moved, seconded by
Jim Brow to amend the Baroda Township Budget as discussed. Wendie presented the
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 Catherine Kaufman from Troff, Petzke & Ammeson to schedule an
appointment with her, Kim Fowler, Ron Ellsworth, and had learned that she was
no longer a member of their legal team because she has been “downsized”.
Discussion was held about how to proceed.
Ms. Kaufman has turned her work over to Ben Schwartz. It was thought that we may be able to contact
her in the near future to have her do some work for us.
Jim reported that he is still
waiting for a legal opinion from the MTA concerning using a special assessment
district to fund the rubbish pick-up for the Township. He said he will call the MTA to see what has
happened with our request and check.
David Wolf suggested that the
Township Board put the insurances out for proposals. He plans to write a request for
qualifications to be sent to several companies including the present one. He would like to choose an agent who would
negotiate for the Township to get the insurance coverages we need at the best
rates possible.
NEW BUSINESS – Jim Brow
reported that since the Village has decided not to participate in funding the
Baroda-Lake Police Fund, he and John Gast, Supervisor at
Jim reported a suggestion
that the Township publish a quarterly newsletter. It was discussed that the news in the Village
newsletter could be beneficial for the entire township. It was suggested that a combined newsletter
may be most feasible.
Angela Kirby, Township
Assessor presented an example of an asset level test for the Township Board to
adopt in conjunction with the Poverty Guidelines for 2009. After discussion, David Wolf proposed,
seconded by Susan Newcomer that the Baroda Township Board adopt a resolution to
adopt the Federal Poverty Guidelines and for an Asset level test is to include
the following; that a person making a claim for poverty exemption may not have
more than one vehicle per licensed driver in the household; the claimant may
not exceed $5000 in assets, excluding homestead and vehicles; that the Board of
Review already has the authority to grant a partial exemption based on the
amount a claimant is able to pay. Roll Call Vote – All Yes. Resolution
2009-1 adopted.
Amy Hemphill moved, seconded
by David Wolf that the Baroda Township Board adopt a resolution to accept
written protest to the Board of Review.
Roll Call Vote. All Yes.
Resolution 2009-2 adopted.
Susan Newcomer Moved,
seconded by Amy Hemphill that the Baroda Township Board adopt a resolution to
provide for alternate starting dates for the 2009 March Board of review and to
provide for hearing protests by appointment.
Roll Call Vote – All Yes.
Resolution 2009-3 adopted
CONSENT AGENDA- Copies of the
minutes of
SUPERVISOR’S COMMENTS – Jim
Brow reported that the new Evos playground equipment is to be delivered at the
end of January and that John Baird, and Steve Nitz had both said they would
have room to store the equipment until the weather permits for installing it at
the Park.
A budget meeting was
scheduled for
ADJOURNMENT - The meeting was
adjourned by Supervisor, Jim Brow at
The next regular meeting of
the Baroda Township Board is
Wendie Shafer,