Minutes of the Baroda Township Board Meeting

September 21, 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: Jim Brow, Amy Hemphill, Susan Newcomer, Wendie Shafer, and David Wolf, along with 8 audience members.

 

LIBRARY REPORT   Dina Reilly from the Lincoln Township Library distributed annual Library reports to the Township Board members and described a new service the Library plans to offer soon called Playaway, which is an audio book, loaded onto an easily portable ipod type device.

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS   Chief Gary Ruhl reported that there had been few problems during the September 12, 2009 Barodafest.  He said that one person had been injured when tripping on some fencing during teardown of the Tractor Pull, and that one arrest was made when a person was recognized as being under a warrant out for his arrest.  He reported that John Hopkins is in week four of training with the new Drug enforcement dog and that he should be back to full time duty at the Department with his canine partner “Elmo” the first week of October.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

Checking Account Totals:        

General Fund – 117,437                                   Trust & Agency – $291

Baroda Police Fund – $118,357                       Rubbish Fund - $17,114          

Fire Maintenance Fund – $89,728                    Trust and Agency Fund $291

Fire Equipment Fund – $15,983                       Water Fund – $46,952

           

Baroda-Lake Police Fund – $28,782                Baroda-Lake Drug Forfeiture Fund – $3,471

 

Susan Newcomer distributed and reported on a detailed Treasurers report.

 

CLERK’S and PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT   Wendie Shafer presented a monthly budget comparison report and requested that amendments be made for line 101.103.814 Township Computer Service- raise from $2000 to $3000; 101.103.911 Worker Comp Insurance – raise from $500 to $1500; 101.103.956 Board Misc.- raise from $100 to $500; 206.000.910 Fire Maint. Worker Comp Insurance- raise from $3000 to $4500; 450.000.979 Fire Equipment – raise from $5000 to $6500. David Wolf moved, seconded by Amy Hemphill to amend the budget as requested.  Vote – All Yes M.C.

 

The clerk presented a letter from the Baroda Township Planning Commission recommending the approval of a second amendment to the setbacks for the Baroda Township Zoning Ordinance Campground Ordinance amendment, moving the setbacks to 100’ at the front and 50’ from side and back lot lines, and adding provisions (language provided by Langworthy, Strader, Leblanc) for the Planning Commission to alter setbacks if deemed necessary as a condition of a Special Use Permit. 

The clerk submitted a request from the Planning commission to address the eyesore on Shawnee Rd. owned by Durwood D’Agostino. 

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS Roger Zilke spoke to the Township Board regarding work done in excess of $5000 per mile on the Cleveland Village Drain. He provided copies of work orders and explained diagrams and engineer’s plans on the project.  He said that the plumbers hired to clean out the drains encountered sewage in the pipes making them more difficult to clean. They had to use more water and equipment than usual, and had to make some catch basins. Jim Brow volunteered to call Mike Mortimer at the Health Department on the sewage issue. Susan Newcomer moved, seconded by Wendie Shafer to approve the resolution to allow the Drain Commission to spend over $5000 per mile on cleaning and maintenance of the Cleveland Village Drain. Roll Call Vote – all Yes. Resolution adopted. 2009 –14

 

Mr. Zilke also related a problem with getting permission from Mr. Freehling to complete the cleanout and deepening of the Fowler Drain on Landon and Browntown Roads. 

 

The Baroda Township Board after much discussion set the rate for Rubbish charges per household/business for the 15 months, October 2009 – December 2010.  David Wolf moved, seconded by Susan Newcomer to charge $14 per month per dwelling unit on the 2009 Winter Tax bills and to invoice those receiving the service that are not on the tax roll, for the 15 months October 2009 - December 2010, with successive years being charged for 12 months each.  Roll Call Vote – All Yes. Resolution adopted. 2009 –15

Amy Hemphill agreed to provide the information to the Baroda Village Council. 

 

Wendie Shafer presented revised setbacks as requested by the Township Board.  She explained that the issue had been very controversial and the Planning commission had difficulty reducing the setbacks as requested.  After much discussion, the Township Board determined that the set backs recommended by the Planning Commission should be made smaller.  Jim Brow read a letter received from Dayna Kozminski stating that she was withdrawing her proposal to develop an RV Park Resort at the Meadows Golf Course.  Jim Brow moved, seconded by Susan Newcomer to make the minimum setbacks the same as for the individual zoning districts, and the Planning Commission may alter the setbacks on a case by case basis if deemed necessary as part of a Special Land Use Permit. Roll Call Vote – Jim Brow- Yes, Amy Hemphill-Yes, David Wolf –No, Susan Newcomer – Yes, Wendie Shafer – Yes.  Amendment adopted.  Jim Brow mentioned that before the amendment is published or becomes effective, it needs to be sent to Berrien County for review and approval. 

 

NEW BUSINESS –Seth Timmons from Gerbel and Co. P.C. presented the Baroda Township 2008-09 Audit Report.  He went through the highlights of the published report saying that Baroda Township is in good financial condition with an excess of 10 months worth of funds available to operate the Township if no funds were collected. Mr. Timmons thanked the Township Board members for their cooperation during the audit. David Wolf moved, seconded by Amy Hemphill, to pass a resolution to accept the Audit 2008-09 Audit Report.  Vote – All Yes.  Resolution adopted. 2009-16

 

Jim Brow reported that Robert Ketelhut has resigned from the Zoning Board of Appeals due to health issues.  Jim reminded the Board members that no one from the Township Board had been appointed to replace Jerry Nitz, since last November.  David Wolf nominated Amy Hemphill to fill the Township Board position on the Zoning Board of appeals.  The nomination was seconded by Susan Newcomer.  Vote – All Yes. 

One person from among the Baroda Township residents is still needed to fill the vacancy left by Bob Ketelhut.  Board members are to consider persons for this position.

 

CONSENT AGENDA - Copies of the minutes of the August 17, 2009 Baroda Township Board meeting, and Baroda Township Bills for the month were distributed.  After discussion, David Wolf 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.

 

SUPERVISORS COMMENTS – Jim Brow said that he plans to attend the Michigan Townships Supervisors Association conference. 

 

He reported that a newspaper article had indicated that Baroda Township was to pay a part of a study to determine the feasibility of merging the Baroda-Lake and Bridgman Police Departments.  After discussion, David Wolf moved, seconded by Susan Newcomer, to call the Bridgman City Mayor Aaron Anthony and say that Baroda Township would participate in the study, but that Baroda Township would not pay a share of the costs.

 

AUDIENCE COMMENT – Tom Lippert expressed his disappointment that the Township Board members overruled the recommendation of the Planning Commission on the setbacks for the Campground Ordinance amendment.  He also asked that Jim request of the Cemetery maintenance workers to avoid throwing grass on the gravestones when mowing.

 

ADJOURNMENT   The meeting was adjourned by Supervisor, Jim Brow at 9:46 p.m.

The next meeting of the Baroda Township Board is Monday, October 19, 2009 in the Baroda Township Municipal Building meeting room at 7:30 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Wendie Shafer, Baroda Township Clerk