Minutes of the Baroda Township Board Meeting

January 18, 2010

 

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 6 audience members.

 

LIBRARY REPORT – Dina Riley from the Lincoln Township Public Library reported that the library is beginning a new program for Mothers with children up to 3 months of age.  The library is hosting the free tax service for seniors in February, and is continuing to sponsor the Blood drives held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS   Chief Gary Ruhl reported that two incidences of vehicles being shot on Snow and Landon Roads were reported last week

 

Susan Newcomer reported that the Fire Department has been awarded a grant for the purpose of getting warm weather gear for the Department for a cost of $1800 to the department to use for fighting grass and vehicle fires.  She reported that a new fireman, Robert Schripsema has been hired and will need to be outfitted.  He has already had fire fighter training.  The Department plans to purchase 2 new sets of gear this year.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT  - Checking Account Totals:          

General Fund – $106,973                                 Baroda Police Fund – $31,270

Rubbish Fund - $11,955                                   Fire Maintenance Fund – $66,331       

Trust and Agency Fund $351                            Fire Equipment Fund – $39,427          

Water Fund – $48,396                                     Baroda-Lake Police Fund – $57,222

Baroda-Lake Drug Forfeiture Fund – $9,677

                       

Susan Newcomer distributed and gave a detailed Treasurers report. 

 

CLERK’S and PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT – Wendie Shafer began discussion for adopting the draft Master Plan.  Dave Wolf moved, seconded by Amy Hemphill, to adopt the draft master plan with a change in the term used to describe “open space” residential to “residential” on the Master Plan Future Use Map.  By Roll Call Vote, Voting yes – Amy Hemphill, David Wolf, Susan Newcomer, Jim Brow, and Wendie Shafer.  Voting No – None.  Resolution Adopted.  2010-1

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS -   Supervisor, Jim Brow presented a letter of opinion from Attorney Peter Wendling stating the Ordinance adopted for Rubbish Funding was a legal Ordinance and did not violate any statutes.

 

Wendie Shafer presented amendments to be made to the present Rubbish Ordinance changing the words Inhabited to Inhabitable in Section two of the Ordinance. 

David Wolf, seconded by Susan Newcomer moved to amend the Rubbish Ordinance changing the words “inhabited” to the words “inhabitable”.  By Roll Call Vote, Voting Yes – Amy Hemphill, David Wolf, Susan Newcomer, Jim Brow, and Wendie Shafer.  Voting No – None.  Resolution Adopted  2010-2

 

Jim Brow reported that Bob Getz has agreed to do the work on stripping the old paint from the Municipal Building restrooms and repainting them properly. Jim noted that the last two times the rooms had been painted, after a short time the paint has peeled from the walls. 

 

NEW BUSINESS – The Clerk presented a resolution to Provide for Board of Review alternate starting dates and protest hearings by appointment.   Amy Hemphill moved, seconded by David Wolf to adopt a resolution to provide for alternate starting dates and hearings by appointment for the 2010 Board of Review meetings.  By Roll Call Vote, Voting Yes – Amy Hemphill, David Wolf, Susan Newcomer, Jim Brow, and Wendie Shafer.  Voting No – None.  Resolution Adopted. 2010-3

 

The Clerk presented a request to adopt the 2010 Federal Poverty Guidelines and Asset level test for Baroda Township.  David Wolf moved, Seconded by Susan Newcomer that Baroda Township adopt the 2010 Federal Poverty Guidelines and Asset Level Test as presented.  By Roll Call vote, Voting Yes- Amy Hemphill, David Wolf, Susan Newcomer, Jim Brow, and Wendie Shafer.  Voting No – None.  Resolution Adopted

2010-4

 

Police Chief Gary Ruhl presented a draft proposed budget for the Baroda-Lake Police.  He reported that there are many unknown expenses because of the coming move to a new building and human resource issues that will need to be resolved.  There was much discussion.  When asked whether Baroda Township would continue to keep the Police Department books, Wendie Shafer recommended that the new intergovernmental police agreement contain a provision for the Police Board to hire a bookkeeper for the department. The Police Board is to address some of the budget issues at their February 9th meeting.

 

Jim Brow reported that the refrigerator at the Hall needs to be replaced.  After discussion it was suggested that Jim contact Lonnie Martin about getting one from whirlpool.

 

Amy Hemphill presented a vision insurance plan to the Board members.  She said that with a 125 Plan, the Township Board members and employees could purchase their own vision insurance with after tax payroll deductions.

 

The Township Board set budget workshop meetings for Wednesday January 20 and Wednesday February 10, 2010

 

CONSENT AGENDA - Copies of the minutes of the December 21, 2009 Baroda Township Board meeting and Baroda Township Bills for the month were distributed.  After discussion, David Wolf moved, seconded by Amy Hemphill, to approve the Minutes of the last Board meeting, the Treasurers' Report and the Township Bills.

Vote – All Yes.  Motion Carried.

SUPERVISORS COMMENTS – Jim Brow reported that the grant the Township had applied for to the State for updating the Park has been denied.  He said that there is another opportunity to apply for a similar grant in 2010.  He has contacted Jaime Harmon from Wightman & Assoc. to make the application.

 

Jim Brow reported that a resident had approached him about getting an estimate of what if might cost to upgrade the two ends of Keehn Road, instead of doing the whole mile.

Jim volunteered to ask the Road Commission for an estimate.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT- None

 

ADJOURNMENT - The meeting was adjourned by Supervisor Jim Brow at 8:47 p.m.

The next meeting of the Baroda Township Board is Monday, February 15, 2010 in the Baroda Township Municipal Building meeting room at 7:30 p.m.

 

Submitted by,

 

 

Wendie Shafer, Baroda Township Clerk