Minutes of the Baroda Township Board Meeting
April 18, 2011
The regular meeting of the Baroda Township Board was called
to order at
GUEST SPEAKER – Kim Fowler, Baroda Township Ordinance Enforcement Officer reported on the progress of the cleanup at the Ron Ellsworth property. He reported that though progress is being made, it is considerably less than agreed upon by Mr. Ellsworth and the Township Board. Mr. Fowler suggested that Township Board invite Mr. Ellsworth to the May 16th Township Board meeting and agree upon a timeline of progress to be expected in the next year. Kim agreed to also attend the meeting. Amy Hemphill moved, seconded by Susan Newcomer to invite Ronald Ellsworth to the May 16, 2011 meeting. Vote- All Yes Motion Carried.
Steve Carlisle from Wightman and Associates reported on the disposition of the Grant the Township has applied for through the DNRE. He reported that the Grants to be awarded have been approved by the DNRE, but have yet to be cleared for distribution. The Township is to receive a letter and forms as to when and how to proceed in the next month or two. Mr. Carlisle presented a quote for Grant administration, engineering and project oversight for when the funds actually become available. He recommended waiting until the Funds become available to begin the design engineering process. He said that it will be unlikely that much construction will occur in the fiscal year 2011.
Cindy Vujea, Superintendent of Lakeshore Public Schools, with the help of Rob Burgess, spoke at length in support of the request for a millage to pay for a thirty year bond for School construction, renovation, upgrading, buses and equipment. She and Mr. Burgess fielded questions from the audience.
LIBRARY REPORT – Mary Hill presented a report on the activities of the Lincoln Township Library. She distributed a sheet describing the ‘Freegal’ free music download program through Sony.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS – Fire Chief Larry Klug reported on the Fire Department activities for the past year. He reported that the Fire Department had made more calls than usual this year.
He said that the average call response time from the time the tone sounds to the scene is 6.5 minutes. Larry Klug reported that the Fire Department expects to have 4 new recruits in the coming year. The printed report accompanies these minutes
Shawn Martin gave the annual Baroda-Lake Police report. The printed report accompanies these minutes.
The Building Department reports were presented by Jim Brow. The printed reports accompany these minutes.
TREASURER’S REPORT - Susan Newcomer distributed and presented the Treasurers report. Checking Account Totals:
General Fund – $109,574.00 Baroda Police Fund – $196,957.00
Rubbish Fund - $114,525.00 Fire Maintenance Fund – $69,823.00
Trust and Agency Fund $937.00 Fire Equipment Fund – $123,197.00
Water Fund – $56,956.00 Building Fund - $1,941.00
Baroda-Lake Police Fund – $49,319.00 Baroda-Lake Drug Forfeiture Fund – $4,259.00
CLERK’S and PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT – Wendie Shafer presented the annual Planning Commission report. The printed report accompanies these minutes. She also reported that the coming May 3rd election looks to be a very busy election.
CORRESPONDENCE – a letter from Don Rath concerning a complaint against Medic One Ambulance Service was distributed and explained by his father Ed Rath.
OLD BUSINESS – Amy Hemphill presented a recap of the 2011-2012 Budget. The budget along with the various department annual reports and minutes was available to audience members.
Jim Brow presented a letter of introduction written by Teri Freehling to be sent as an introduction of the Drain Committee to the County Drain Commissioner’s office. Jim Brow agreed to sign the letter on behalf of the entire Board. Tom Lippert mentioned he had requested several times in the last two years to have the drainage ditch behind his house to be cleaned.
NEW BUSINESS – Wendie Shafer presented two quotes for portable toilet services for the coming year.
Wendie Shafer and Amy Hemphill presented possible insurance plans and quotes. They explained the differences in the plans available. Susan Newcomer, seconded by Amy Hemphill moved to adopt the Blue Cross Blue Shield Option 1 obtained from the Buursma agency. It was noted that both the Village of Baroda and Lake Charter Township have adopted this plan. Vote –
All Yes. Motion Carried.
Susan Newcomer presented a report that ColorTek has not paid their IFT taxes and that she plans to begin the process of terminating their IFT. She reported that the first action is to send a letter to the company requesting payment within 60 days.
Wendie Shafer reported that fertilizer for the Park and Cemeteries would cost about $700.00. She recommended doing only the Cemeteries since the Park land may be uprooted in certain areas by the construction involving the Park Grant project. Jim Brow moved, seconded by Amy Hemphill to instruct Dennis Schutze and Butch Critzer to obtain and spread fertilizer on the cemeteries. Vote All Yes. Motion Carried.
Jim Brow presented a request to adopt a resolution to support putting language on the 2012 ballot requesting .5 mil for the Berrien County Road Commission for the purpose of maintaining the roads in Berrien County. Amy Hemphill moved, seconded by David Wolf to pass a resolution to support putting a .5 mil request on the 2012 Ballot for the Berrien County Road Commission.
By Roll Call Vote – YES -Jim Brow, Amy Hemphill, David Wolf, Susan Newcomer, and Wendie Shafer; NO-None. Resolution adopted. Resolution 2011- 13
CONSENT AGENDA - Copies of the minutes of the last 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 meetings, the Treasurers' Report, and the Township Bills. Vote – All Yes. Motion Carried.
Jim Brow presented a quote from BTS to put computer wiring in the Municipal Building to make the computers more secure from hacking. No action was taken. David Wolf asked for the phone numbers of BTS and Kevin Kramp at Double K Enterprises.
PUBLIC COMMENT- Marilyn and Dean Schmaltz asked about the Library millage. They thought that a person could go to any Library in the State, pay $50 and be able to use that Library. It was explained that in order to have a MichiCard, one must first be affiliated with a “home” library.
ADJOURNMENT - The meeting was adjourned at 10 p.m. by Supervisor, Jim Brow. The next regular meeting of the Baroda Township Board is scheduled for Monday, May 16, 2011.
Prepared by Wendie Shafer
Baroda Township Clerk