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, invocation given, and roll call taken.

 

MINUTES:

Chris stated that he would like to address the motion that was made at last month’s board meeting. He stated that instead of having only motions in the minutes, we need to rescind that motion and follow the direction of the Michigan Township Association and the Open Meetings Act with regard to information in the minutes.

 

Motion by Merle, support by Ross, PASSED to rescind the motion from last month’s meeting stating that only motions be included in the board meeting minutes. Yes: Merle, Ross, Mike, James, Elizabeth, Mary Ellen and Chris. No: none.

 

Motion by Merle, support by Chris, PASSED to approve that information in the minutes should follow the suggested written information created by the Michigan Township Association, also as required by the Open Meetings Act. The information in the minutes should be fair, unbiased, and include the subject of public comments. Yes all.

 

Motion by Merle, support by Mike, PASSED to approve the regular township board meeting minutes of March 9, 2009. Yes all.

 

Motion by Ross, support by James, PASSED to approve the special township board meeting minutes of March 28, 2009, annual meeting minutes. Yes all.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

None.

 

TREASURER'S REPORT:

As of March 31, 2009, the General Fund has $230,722.33, Fire Operating Fund has $194,558.81, and Fire Equipment Fund has $28,066.07. There is $248,445.99 in the Investment Fund (C.D.’s). An income report was also provided for the General and Fire Funds. The Treasurer's Report was accepted and placed on file for audit.

 

Motion by Mike, support by Ross, PASSED to approve the Treasurer’s Report as submitted for March 2009. Yes: all.

 

 

MONTHLY BILLS:

Motion by Mike, support by Merle, PASSED to approve the monthly bills as submitted. Yes: Mike, Merle, Petsy, James, Ross, Mary Ellen, and Chris. No: none.

 

General Fund bills totaling $45,736.34 through check number 20399. Fire Fund bills totaling $26,331.25 through check number 10329. Cemetery Fund bills totaling $42.43 through check number 1001. Streetlight Fund bills totaling $1,440.42 through check number 496. 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 March 2009. There were 47 calls with an average response time of 7.11 minutes.

 

Chief Furman stated that money was budgeted to purchase sensors to be put in the bay area of the fire department. He stated that Captain, Joe Balder, called four companies for prices for these sensors. Chief Furman requested the board approve purchase of the equipment as written.

 

Motion by Merle, support by Mike, PASSED to approve purchase of the equipment. Yes: Merle, Mike, Petsy, James, Ross, Mary Ellen, and Chris. No: none.

 

Many fire department personnel were present at this meeting. Chief Furman stated that the ISO rating in the township will be lowered to a six (6) rating on June 1, 2009. Gary stated this change in rating for the township reduced was in large part due to the hard work and commitment of the fire fighters. The board and those present applauded the firefighters and thanked them for their service. Chief Furman stated the ISO rating will reduce the homeowners insurance for everyone in the township. Mary Ellen stated that homeowners need to check with their insurance company to make sure they have our township rated at a six (6), after June 1, 2009. Chief Furman stated this will be a savings to the homeowners on their insurance premiums.

 

Chief Furman stated in order to keep this ISO rating the township needs to get the equipment millage back. Merle stated that when the equipment millage was on the tax bill, the residents did not pay as much in millage as they saved in homeowners insurance, stating now the ISO rating is lower then it was then. Merle asked if the water supply coming to the township helped with the lowering of the ISO rating. Chief Furman stated this did help. Other discussion took place.

 

MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT:

Maintenance Supervisor, Keith Ostoin, stated that money was budgeted to make a road base at the lower portion of the transfer station. Keith stated that he was given a quote to make a gravel road base.

 

Motion by Merle, support by Mike, PASSED to approve this budgeted item not to exceed the budgeted amount. And for Keith to call around to get the best price. Yes: Merle, Mike, Petsy, James, Ross, Mary Ellen, and Chris. No: none.

 

Keith stated that the spring free dump day will be held on May 9, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 

 

COMPLIANCE OFFICER REPORT:

Compliance Officer, Frank Swiatek, gave the board an update regarding ordinance violations.

 

PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS:

A. Request of Jeffery Smith for a Zone Change from C-1 Neighborhood Commercial to R-2 Medium Residential at 2928 Middle Lake Road, South Shore Lodge. Mr. Smith was present and discussed his request with the board. The Planning Commission recommended approval of this request to the board.

 

Motion by Mike, support by Petsy, PASSED to approve the request of Mr. Smith for the Zone Change from C-1 to R-2 for the property mentioned. Yes: Mike, Petsy, Merle, James, Ross, Mary Ellen, and Chris. No: none.

 

LAND PURCHASE FROM THE COUNTY:

The Muskegon County Treasurer again contacted the township regarding a parcel that is for sale within our township and the township may purchase this parcel for the amount owing on taxes for said parcel. Parcel Number 07-012-100-0029-10 for approximately $60.00

 

Motion by Ross, support by Merle, PASSED to purchase this parcel from the Muskegon County Treasurer. Yes: Ross, Merle, Mike, Petsy, James, Mary Ellen, and Chris. No: none.

 

CONTINUE LAND DIVISION CONTRACT:

Our current Land Division Specialist, Wanda Budnik, was present and spoke to the board regarding extension of this contract.

 

Motion by Merle, support by Mike, PASSED to approve extension of the Land Division Contract through July 31, 2010. Yes: Merle, Mike, James, Ross, Petsy, Mary Ellen, and Chris. No: none.

 

APPROVAL OF RED FLAG RULES (IDENTIFY THEFT):

The sample policy for the proposed Identity Theft Prevention Program was reviewed and discussed.

 

Motion by Ross, support by Petsy, PASSED to adopt the example Identity Theft Prevention Program, as supplied by Stephanie Barrett. Yes: Ross, Petsy, Mike, Merle, James, Mary Ellen, and Chris. No: none.

 

APPROVAL TO SEEK NEW LEGAL COUNSEL FOR THE TOWNSHIP:

Motion by Merle, support by Ross, PASSED to approve hiring Mr. James Brown of Mika, Meyers, Beckett & Jones as legal counsel for Dalton Township and to transfer files from our current attorney. If our current attorney does not want to complete active cases, then Mr. Brown and his firm will take over these cases. Yes: Merle, Ross, Mike, Petsy, James, Mary Ellen, and Chris. No: none.

 

SEWER LEAD APPROVAL:

A Proposal and Contract was received from Ryerson Sewer Installers for sewer related work to be done for the township. The proposed amount for this work is $1,860.00.

 

Motion by Merle, support by Ross, PASSED to approve the sewer work to be done as proposed in the amount of $1,860.00. Yes: Merle, Ross, Mike, Petsy, James, Mary Ellen, and Chris. No: none.

 

BEEGLE FIELD IMPROVEMENTS:

Chris stated that he has written a proposed Terms and Conditions for use of Beegle Sports Park in Dalton Township. He stated there is nothing in writing as to the responsibilities of the groups using these facilities.

 

Motion by Merle, support by Mike, PASSED to approve the Dalton Township Terms and Conditions as prepared by the Supervisor for soccer and baseball groups using the park. Yes: all.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Fire Chief, Gary Furman, stated that the letter from the ISO is available for the public as of June 1, 2009. Connie Burchfield questioned if the time clock has been installed for employees. She also questioned if the board has started doing the revisions to the personnel policy.

 

BOARD COMMENTS:

Chris spoke of an event to take place at Beegle Sports Park on May 17th. He also informed the board of clean up efforts in the township that is scheduled in the near future.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

Motion by Mike, support by Merle, PASSED to adjourn the meeting at 7:59 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