BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chris Hall, Mary Ellen Sherwood, Elizabeth (Petsy) Jenkins, Mike Hiner, Merle H. Hittle, James Lothschutz, and Ross McCloskey.

 

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: None.

 

Supervisor, Chris Hall, called the meeting to order at the Dalton Township Hall. The Pledge of Allegiance said and roll call taken.

 

MINUTES:

Motion by Merle, support by Ross, PASSED to preserve the meeting tapes for six months and date accordingly. Roll call vote. Yes: all.

 

Motion by Mary Ellen, support by Mike, PASSED to approve the regular meeting minutes of February 9, 2009 striking the discussion on the topic of raises for elected officials and changing the wordage from “transfer of funds in the amount of $6,600.00” to “transfer of funds in an amount not to exceed, $6,600.00”. Roll call vote. Yes: Mary Ellen, Mike, James, Merle, Elizabeth and Chris. No: Ross.

 

Motion by Merle, support by Mike, PASSED to include all discussion on agenda items, or none just motions. Mike supported this motion stating only motions in the meeting minutes with no discussion. Roll call vote. Yes: Merle, Mike, James, and Chris. No: Mary Ellen, Elizabeth, and Ross.

 

Motion by Merle, support by Ross, PASSED that no board meeting minutes be sent to the website before they are approved, then sent within five days. Roll call vote. Yes: all.

 

Motion by Mike, support by Merle, PASSED to approve the special meeting minutes of March 4, 2009 for budget review. Roll call vote. Yes: all.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Connie Burchfield stated that the new budget is a big job for the new board. She discussed declining funds, prioritizing funds and stated roads should be the largest priority. She suggested that employees get a small pay raise. She stated the township employees have wonderful benefits and compared them to the benefits that Muskegon County provides. She stated that if any township employee thinks that their benefits are bad to look around. Richard Vallier stated that he is not in favor of any raises as it is a bad time for raises.

 

TREASURER'S REPORT:

As of February 28, 2009, the General Fund has $211,530.31, Fire Operating Fund has $214,152.79, and Fire Equipment Fund has $46,726.82. There is $248,445.99 in the Co-Merica J-Fund. An Income Report for February and a Bank Balance Statement was also provided.

 

Motion by Mary Ellen, support by Merle, PASSED to approve the Treasurer’s Report for February 2009. Roll call vote. Yes: all.

MONTHLY BILLS:

Motion by Merle, support by Mike, PASSED to approve the monthly bills as submitted. Roll call vote. Yes: all.

 

General Fund bills totaling $37,170.90 through check number 20349. Fire Fund bills totaling $20,354.87 through check number 10304. Cemetery Fund bills totaling $322.57 through check number 1000. Streetlight Fund bills totaling $1,642.61 through check number 495. Bills were also paid from the Building Fund and other self-supporting miscellaneous funds.

 

FIRE BUSINESS:

Fire Chief, Gary Furman, submitted the Incident Log for February 2009. There were 35 calls with an average response time of seven (7) minutes.

 

Motion by Merle, support by Ross, PASSED that board members should receive a payroll check register. Roll call vote. Yes: all.

 

Motion by Mary Ellen, support by Mike, FAILED to approve the Fire Department Officer Appointments as recommended. The officer appointments are Joe Balder, Station Captain; Lieutenant, Eric Russell; Lieutenant, Angel Tracey; and Tom Miller, EMS Lieutenant. Roll call vote. Yes: Mary Ellen, Mike, and Chris. No: Elizabeth, Merle, Ross, and James.

 

Motion by Merle, support by Ross, PASSED to approve the Fire Department Officer Appointments as recommended, based on additional information. Roll call vote. Yes: Merle, Ross, Mike, James, Mary Ellen, and Chris. No: Elizabeth.

 

MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT:

Maintenance Supervisor, Keith Ostoin, stated that he has nothing new to report.

 

COMPLIANCE OFFICER REPORT:

Compliance Officer, Frank Swiatek, stated that he has seven new complaints. One was investigated and closed, the others are pending.

 

RENEWAL OF ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS MEMBERS:

Motion by Merle, support by Mike, PASSED to approve the renewal of appointments for Zoning Board of Appeals member Charles Lothschutz and alternate member Craig Monette. Roll call vote. Yes: all.

 

WEB SERVICES FOR THE TOWNSHIP:

Motion by Ross, support by Merle, PASSED to approve $1,488.00 for updates-web services. Roll call vote. Yes: all.

 

BUDGET AMENDMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008-2009:

Motion by Merle, support by Mike, PASSED to approve the budget amendments for fiscal year 2008-2009 as presented. Roll call vote. Yes: all. Attached hereto.

 

 

 

APPROVE PRELIMINARY BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009-2010:

Motion by Merle, support by Mike, PASSED to amend the employee wages as discussed and allocate the rest of the budget separately. Roll call vote. Yes: all.

 

Motion by Mike, support by Merle, PASSED to approve the preliminary budget for fiscal year 2009-2010 with the changes as discussed. Roll call vote. Yes: all.

 

SPORTS AND SHORTS CONTRACT:

Motion by Mary Ellen, support by Mike, PASSED to approve $3,687.28, Dalton Township’s share, of the Sports ‘n Shorts Parks Program held at Twin Lake Elementary School. Roll call vote. Yes: all.

 

RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION TO KIRK SCHULTZ:

Motion by Merle, support by Ross, PASSED to approve the Resolution of Appreciation to Kirk Schultz of Commercial Digital Imaging for the picture of the new board members. Yes: all.

 

APPOINT NEW FIRE COMMISSION MEMBERS:

Motion by Mary Ellen, support by Chris, PASSED to approve the appointment of two new Fire Commission members, Dave Wilkinson and Cindy Smith for terms ending in 2012. Roll call vote. Yes: all. The five Fire Commission members are: Wayne Beebe, Tom VanAndel, Merle Hittle, David Wilkinson, and Cindy Smith.

 

APPOINT NEW ROAD COMMITTEE:

Motion by Mike, support by Merle, PASSED to approve the appointments for the Dalton Township Road Committee as follows: David Less, Richard Vallier, John Knoll, Wanda Todd, Jerry Buzzell, and Dave Wilkinson. One year terms for officers and two year terms for members. The Road Committee will elect officers. Roll call vote. Yes: all.

 

TIME CLOCK PURCHASE:

Motion by Ross, support by Merle, PASSED to approve the purchase of a time clock for $186.00. Roll call vote. Yes: all.

 

CONSUMERS POWER EASEMENT:

Motion by Merle, support by Ross, PASSED to allow Chris to negotiate the cost of the easement with Consumers Energy taking no less than $2,500.00, or bring this item back to the board. Roll call vote. Yes: all. Land is described in the Easement Agreement, Parcel 61-07-027-100-0001-00.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Connie Burchfield suggested the board keep the meeting tapes for one year instead of six months.

Richard Vallier stated that having the fire chief also working as the cemetery sexton is a conflict of interest. He also stated that he has no problem with employees getting a raise; he is however against raises for elected officials. Chris stated that elected officials are not getting raises; this was already decided at last months meeting. Darlene Jarvi discussed taxable and equalized value of property in the township as well as other issues. Insurance was discussed. Township employee, Chris McPheron, spoke with the board regarding insurance. Dave Wilkinson thanked the board for appointing him to the Fire Commission and the Road Committee.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

Motion by Mike, support by Mary Ellen, PASSED to adjourn the meeting at 9:34 p.m. Yes: all.

 

DALTON TOWNSHIP BOARD

Chris Hall Supervisor

Mary Ellen Sherwood Clerk

Elizabeth (Petsy) Jenkins Treasurer

Michael Hiner Trustee

Merle H. Hittle Trustee

James Lothschutz Trustee

Ross McCloskey Trustee

 

Clerk__________________________

Mary Ellen Sherwood