Minutes of the Baroda Township Board Meeting

July 20, 2009

 

The regular meeting of the Baroda Township Board was called to order at 7:28 p.m. by Supervisor Jim Brow in the meeting room of the Baroda Township Municipal Building. Those present: Jim Brow, Amy Hemphill, Susan Newcomer, Wendie Shafer, and David Wolf, along with five audience members.

 

LIBRARY REPORT   Jim Brow reported on the upcoming activities of the Lincoln Township Public Library for Dena Riley.  

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS   Chief Gary Ruhl reported that there had been a fatal one car accident on Cleveland Avenue.  He reported that the 3rd of July Fireworks had gone very well with a new traffic control tactic they had tried.  People were able to exit the fireworks field and move out of town faster than in previous years.  Chief Ruhl reported that the NIMBY Pond races had gone well with no traffic or disturbance problems.  He noted that there were fewer people attending the event.  He reported that the fund raising project – Drug Dog Raffle had netted about half of the funds needed to pay for a Drug enforcement dog and training.  He said that some persons have pledged monies that have not yet made their donations. 

 

Rich Herrman, Secretary of the Baroda Fire Department reported that there had been two fire calls at the Mobile Home Park.  He said that one call was made from a “life alert” system that was installed in a Mobile Home.  He highly recommends that senior citizens get them.  He also expressed appreciation for the support of the community for the fireworks.  It was noted that the Fire Department had collected over $3,000 in excess of expenses to be put toward next year’s fireworks.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

Checking Account Totals:                                 General Fund – $132,239

Baroda Police Fund – $117,470                       Rubbish Fund - $34,003          

Fire Maintenance Fund – $112,116                  Trust and Agency Fund $290

Fire Equipment Fund – $107,054                     Water Fund – $44,787            

Baroda-Lake Police Fund – $60,800                Baroda-Lake Drug Forfeiture Fund – $2,878

 

Susan Newcomer distributed a detailed Treasurers report, and read the total fund balances.

 

CLERK’S and PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT   Wendie Shafer presented a check list from the liability insurance risk assessment department for use in inspecting the Playground Equipment.  The Board agreed that an annual inspection would be made of the equipment.  She presented a bill with a choice to be made referring to the Accident and Health plan for the Firemen.  The board agreed to stay with the revised Plan 1 and to pay out the corresponding premium. 

 

Wendie Shafer reported that the Township Master Plan process is on schedule, and that Brian Wegener is scheduled to attend the August 10, 2009 Planning Commission meeting to report on a third draft of the master plan.  She also reported that the Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing on proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance referring to Campgrounds and minor text corrections to the current Ordinance.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS  Jim Brow reported that even though Kim Fowler has reported that Ron Ellsworth has been working toward cleaning up his property, he has not signed the agreement the he essentially wrote himself, and has not made the deadlines set forth in that agreement. David Wolf moved, seconded by Jim Brow to contact attorney Catherine Kaufman, if available, to begin litigation proceedings to compel Ron Ellsworth to clean up his property.  After discussion, by Roll Call Vote -  David Wolf , Yes; Susan Newcomer, Yes; Amy Hemphill, Yes; Wendie Shafer, No; Jim Brow, Yes.  Motion Carried.

 

David Wolf presented a third draft of a Garbage Collection and Disposal Ordinance.  Discussion produced several amendments.  It was noted that since the Township Board was adopting an Ordinance that there is no requirement for a public hearing.  David Wolf moved, seconded by Jim Brow to adopt the Garbage Collection and Disposal Ordinance as amended and for the Clerk to publish and post the Ordinance as required in the law.

Roll Call Vote – Amy Hemphill, Yes; David Wolf, Yes; Susan Newcomer, Yes; Jim Brow, Yes; Wendie Shafer, Yes.  Baroda Township Garbage Collection and Disposal Ordinance 33 Adopted.  The Ordinance is to become effective thirty (30) days after publication.

 

Jim Brow reported that there is a request for a resolution to pay $2,335.11 to the County Drain Commission for drain work at Cleveland Village.  The issue was tabled until the next Board meeting so that members can receive more information from the Drain Commissioner.

 

NEW BUSINESS  Jim Brow presented an offer from the Village to have Arndt Asphalt Company do striping of the parking lot lines on the parking lots of the Fire Station Hall and Municipal Building for $200.  Susan Newcomer moved, seconded by Amy Hemphill to pay $200 to the Village for parking lot striping at the Fire Station Hall and Municipal Building.  Vote – All Yes.  Motion Carried.

 

The Township Board set the date of the August 17, 2009 Township Board Meeting to hold their Truth in Taxation Hearing. 

 

The Baroda Township Board passed a resolution updating the appointment of the Emergency Preparedness Coordinators to Police Chief Gary Ruhl, and Fire Chief Larry Klug.  Resolution 2009 -

 

 

CONSENT AGENDA  Copies of the minutes of the June 15,2009 Baroda Township Board meeting, July 13, 2009  Planning Commission; and Baroda Township Bills for the month were distributed.  After discussing, Amy Hemphill 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 and Kim Fowler had attended the NIMBY Pond races as requested.  He said that Kim is a certified decibel machine operator.  He went with Kim to diverse locations on the Schutze property where decibel reading were taken and recorded.  He reported that at the loudest area near the take off point of the snowmobiles, the reading was at 93.2 decibels.  He said that this is about as loud as a semi truck driving by.  The lowest reading was 76.2 decibels.  Jim said that normal street traffic is about 80 decibels.  He said He paid special attention to the announcer to be sure they heard no profanity.  He reported that the races ended within the prescribed period and that the attendance was low.

 

The Township Board set a preliminary meeting with the Gerbel Auditing Company for Tuesday August 11 at 9 a.m.

 

AUDIENCE COMMENT   none

 

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

The next meeting of the Baroda Township Board is Monday, August 17, 2009 in the Baroda Township Municipal Building meeting room at 7:30 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Wendie Shafer, Baroda Township Clerk