Thursday September 8, 2005 at 7:00 p.m.: The regular Middlebury Township Board meeting held at the Ovid Municipal Building was called to order by Supervisor Anthony Sinicropi with the pledge to the flag. Prayer was given by Clerk Audrey Sovis. Sinicropi, Sovis, Treasurer Carolyn Stevens and Trustees Paul Dutton and Charles Simpson were present. There were 29 visitors. Scheduled comments: Deputy Steve Loomis was present, but had nothing new to report. MMPA’s new Ovid plant manager, David Wittkop introduced himself and shared his concerns for safety around the milk plant should the Rails to Trails proposal go through. David Smyth and Roger Thelen , both from the Rails to Trails group, presented a video on an existing trail. Questions were asked by citizens and board members involving a variety of concerns. The board decided to hold a public hearing in the near future in regard to the proposed Trail. Details will be published in the Weekly and one of the Owosso papers. Jim Capitan reported that the county’s budget is “online”, but stressed that there will be no surplus. Eric Shuman presented a proposal to set up a website and create a cemetery program for Middlebury Township. A motion was made by Dutton, seconded by Stevens to go ahead with both projects at a proposed cost of $770.00 which includes $50 to be applied towards maintaining the website at $25/hour, with the option for either party to terminate the contract in writing at any time. All ayes, no nays, carried. A motion was made by Dutton, seconded by Stevens that the board cut a check (#1525) for the amount of $770 to get both projects started and that the township use the web address of www.middleburytownship.org. All ayes, no nays, carried. A motion was made by Simpson, seconded by Dutton to approve the agenda as presented. All ayes, no nays, carried. A motion was made by Dutton, seconded by Simpson that the minutes of the July 14, 2005 regular board meeting be approved. All ayes, no nays, carried. A motion was made by Dutton, seconded by Simpson to approve the treasurer’s report. All ayes, no nays, carried. A motion was made by Simpson, seconded by Dutton to approve the payment of the August bills (cks 1486-1494, #1486 voided) in the amount of $2,026.28. All ayes, by signature vote. No nays, carried. A motion was made by Dutton, seconded by Sinicropi to approve the payment of the September bills (cks 1495-1525, #1523 voided) in the amount of $26,331.28. All ayes by signature vote, no nays, carried. Sovis reported that Middlebury Township will hold a November 8, 2005 election for Clinton County ISD. The Clinton County Clerk has asked Middlebury to consolidate Ovid-Elsie voters from Sciota and Owosso townships at the Middlebury Township hall. A motion was made by Sovis, seconded by Sinicropi to hold a consolidated election with Sciota and Owosso townships at the Middlebury Township hall on November 8, 2005. All ayes, no nays, carried. Communications: Violation notices were reviewed involving Lary Richards, Kenneth and Nancy Berger, Wally Beeman and Jeffery Potter. Upcoming seminars were presented. A motion was made by Sovis, seconded by Dutton to send Rich Givens and Dennis Smalec to the Land Division seminar in Flint on December 1, 2005 at the early-bird rate of $80 per person. All ayes, no nays, carried. A motion was made by Sovis, seconded by Sinicropi to send Doug McCallister, or a Middlebury representative to the October 25, 2005 Township Fire Dept. seminar in Lansing, at a cost of $80. All ayes, no nays, carried. New Business: A motion was made by Sinicropi, seconded by Stevens to adopt the millage levy for fire and ambulance operations. All ayes, no nays, carried. A motion was made by Sinicropi, seconded by Simpson that Sovis and Dutton write up a request for bids on cleaning up the Metz property, to be published in the Weekly and one of the Owosso papers. All ayes, no nays, carried. A motion was made by Sovis, seconded by Sinicropi to adopt the policy of having all expense vouchers and receipts turned in to the clerk by the Friday before the board’s next meeting. All ayes, no nays, carried. A motion was made by Dutton, seconded by Simpson to notify the Shiawassee County Road Commission that Middlebury would go along with the future use of the less expensive brine used on gravel roads for dust control. All ayes, no nays, carried. A motion was made by Dutton, seconded by Simpson that the board hold a public hearing on the Rails to Trails proposal at the township hall, for Middlebury township residents only on September 22, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. All ayes, no nays, carried. It was suggested that a representative from the Rails to Trails and from the Sheriff’s department be present to answer questions. At 9:45 p.m. a motion was made by Sovis, seconded by Sinicropi to adjourn. All ayes, no nays, carried.