Minutes of the Baroda Township Board Meeting

May 18, 2009

 

The meeting of the Baroda Township Board was called to order at 7:33 p.m. by Supervisor Jim Brow in the meeting room of the Baroda Township Municipal Building with a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Those present: Susan Newcomer, Jim Brow, David Wolf, Wendie Shafer and Amy Hemphill along with three audience members. 

 

LIBRARY REPORT – Dina Riley from the Lincoln Township Public Library reported that the newsletter would be mailed after Memorial Day and would be a little later than usual. She said that the Friends of the Library Book Sale is to be held June 5th and 6th, and that on June 10th the group ‘Lake Effects Jazz’ will perform at the Library.

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS - Police Chief Gary Ruhl reported that Baroda Township has been fortunate to have avoided being hit with break-ins as have the Townships to our south.  He said that the Police Department has only had to address normal police problems.  He reported that John Hopkins had made another drug bust on I-94, having seized $200,000 worth of Cocaine, and a car. He reported that the department has sold over $800 worth of raffle tickets for the Drug Dog fund raiser.  The tickets are for sale in the Police Department, and will be available for purchase during the Independence Day Fireworks display on July third. He explained that Dominion Chevrolet has donated a 1984 Corvette to be raffled along with other prizes.  He said that the price for a drug dog is $12,000.00.

 

Jim Brow reported that the comprehensive Fire Department inventory had been completed and distributed it to the Board members.  Wendie Shafer will forward the list to Western Insurance Agency for a review of our coverage.

 

Amy Hemphill reported that the Ribbon Cutting ceremony at the park was very short because the weather was very cold and windy. Pictures of the event were available for attendees to view.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

General Fund 97,636.00                                     Fire Maintenance Fund – 120,147.00     

Trust and Agency Fund – 290.00                        Water Fund – 42,905.00

Fire Equipment Fund – 112,015.00                      Rubbish Fund – 87,551.00                     

Baroda Police Fund – 162,600.00                       Baroda-Lake Police Fund – 72,280.00

Baroda-Lake Drug Forfeiture Fund – 6,032.00

 

CLERK’S and - PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT – Wendie Shafer reported that the Planning Commission had held an open house and visioning workshop on May 14, 2009.  She said many of the participants felt it an interesting and beneficial exercise.  Williams and Works will take the information gathered and prepare a rough Draft of the new Master Plan. Brian Wegener plans to present the new Draft Master Plan at the next Planning Commission meeting. 

 

Wendie distributed a document from Ben Schwartz describing the situation concerning Ordinance Amendments toward possibly creating a new Recreation Zone within the Township as a means to allow for RV Resort Condominiums. Mr. Schwartz has suggested a meeting be held with a committee of the Planning Commission to discuss and decide details of an ordinance to be drafted.  This should be done in conjunction with the Master Plan process.

 

Wendie asked if the Township would like to have traffic counts done on any of the Township roads this year.  It was decided to request a count on Browntown Road near Cleveland Avenue on a weekend during July or August.

 

OLD BUSINESS  - Jim Brow reported that Kim Fowler had taken the revised letter to Ron Ellsworth and that Mr. Ellsworth has signed it.  It was remarked that June First was the first deadline for Mr. Ellsworth to show progress toward the clean-up of his property.   He said that Mr. Ellsworth requested a burning permit last week to burn pallets on his property. 

 

David Wolf said that he would convene a meeting of the Rubbish Committee in the next week or two to review the two alternative Ordinances supplied by Atty. Wendling and to develop a first draft of an Ordinance according to P.A. 119 for the Board to discuss at the next Township Board meeting.

 

David Wolf mentioned that the Fire Department had voted to hire Freda Painting Company to paint the Fire Department floor for $5,900.  The work is to be done about mid summer.

 

NEW BUSINESS – Wendie Shafer presented a quote to replace the dusk-to-dawn lights in the front to the Municipal Building from Mead and White Electrical for the cost of 224.00 each. David Wolf moved, seconded by Jim Brow to have both lights replaced.  Vote – All Yes.  Motion Carried

 

CONSENT AGENDA- Copies of the minutes of April 20, 2009 Baroda Township Board meeting, 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.

 

AUDIENCE COMMENT- Dayna Kozminski from Kennedy Reese Development Company presented a detailed map of the dimensions of the lot sizes she hopes to create in a RV resort Condominium Project.

 

SUPERVISOR’S COMMENTS – Jim Brow reported that Dan Schultz had given him a tour of the area of the Township that he owns.  He asked if gravel could be put onto the undeveloped section of Spitzke Road so that the farmers could get their semis in to haul out their crops.  Jim said that Milt Sluder from the Berrien County Road Commission said they could do it at no cost to the Township.  Dan Schultz requested Jim to ask the Township Board if they would be interested in buying his long narrow piece of property at Singer Lake. The Board consensus was that the property would not be a benefit to the Township.

 

ADJOURNMENT - The meeting was adjourned by Supervisor, Jim Brow at 8:10 p.m.

The next regular meeting of the Baroda Township Board is Monday, June 15, 2009 in the Baroda Township Municipal Building meeting room at 7:30 p.m.

 

 

 

Wendie Shafer, Baroda Township Clerk