Thursday February 9, 2006 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. Board members present included Sinicropi, Sovis, Treasurer Carolyn Stevens, and Trustees Charles Simpson and Paul Dutton. There were 16 visitors present. Scheduled Comments: Deputy Steve Loomis was present, but had nothing to report. Lonnie Latunski came to propose Middlebury Township road projects for the upcoming year at an estimated cost of $60,540. Joyce Houska, Ovid-Middlebury Emergency Services Ambulance Manager, came and thanked the board for their support of the OMES. Kim Nixon of the Parks and Recreation Committee came and asked for support for the 2006 sports program. Public Comments: Daniel Jon Loomis introduced himself as Deputy Friend of the Court/Referee and offered his assistance should the need ever arise. Brian Fetch of the Home Builders Association spoke to the board regarding his opposition to some of the proposed text amendments to the Shiawassee County Zoning Ordinance relating to Private Roads. General Business: A motion was made by Dutton, seconded by Simpson to approve the agenda; all ayes, no nays, carried. A motion was made by Dutton, seconded by Simpson to approve the minutes of the January 12, 2006 regular board meeting as presented; all ayes, no nays, carried. A motion was made by Sinicropi, seconded by Sovis to approve the Treasurer’s report as presented; all ayes, no nays, carried. A motion was made by Dutton, seconded by Simpson to approve the payment of the February bills in the amount of $6,830.53 (ck #’s 1601-1610 [#1603 voided]); all ayes, no nays, carried by signature vote. Communications: Violation notices were gone over. Names were not revealed, but Sinicropi offered to show anyone who requested to see the violations. Unfinished Business: In regard to the cemetery property, Sinicropi reported that Attorney Mark Cooley has not gotten with Mr. Helvie yet. The board discussed Helvie’s offer to pay for ½ of a new survey. Sovis felt no survey should be conducted unless his offer is in writing. Code Enforcement officer, Leighton Leighty felt no survey was necessary as we must first define the boundaries of the property in question. Dutton finally offered to contact Helvie to see when a meeting time could be set with Cooley. New Business: A motion was made by Dutton, seconded by Sinicropi to forward the Planning Commission’s recommendations for the proposed text amendments on Private Roads and Shared Driveway Development, Ag Ponds and Site Plan Review Committee Meetings, dated February 3, 2006, to the County Zoning Office; all ayes, no nays, carried. There was discussion about the September MTA meeting in Corunna for which Middlebury will be hosts. Sinicropi reported that he has a speaker lined up and also felt it would be nice if the board and committees would show their support by making an effort to attend this meeting. Sovis reported on two upcoming classes she would like to attend: one for Parliamentary Procedure (cost $25) and one for M100 Users (voting machine tabulator, test decks, etc. cost $40). A motion was made by Dutton, seconded by Sinicropi to send the clerk to these classes; all ayes, no nays, carried. A motion was made by Simpson, seconded by Stevens to accept the audit contract with Demis & Wenzlick at a cost of $1,825; Roll call vote: Stevens aye, Sovis aye, Sinicropi aye, Simpson aye, Dutton aye, no nays, carried. A motion to renew the contract with Assessor Stephen Schweikert at a cost of $7,000 annually, was made by Sovis, seconded by Stevens; Roll call vote: Sinicropi aye, Dutton aye, Stevens aye, Sovis aye, Simpson aye, no nays, carried. Resolution 2006-1 After discussion of the Township’s mileage rate and the current fluctuation of gas prices, a motion was made by Dutton, seconded by Stevens to set the township mileage rate to continuously match that of the IRS rate rounded down to the nearest cent, if a fraction of a cent is in effect at the time of reimbursement; Roll call vote: Dutton aye, Simpson aye, Sinicropi aye, Sovis aye, Stevens aye, no nays, carried. Discussion on the future plans for the former Metz Property (at the corner of M-21 and Warren road) was discussed. Deputy Supervisor Rich Givens offered to look into what the viability of the property may be. He will report back at next month’s meeting. Sinicropi announced that the board is required by law to take an Emergency Management course and be tested on it. This will take place February 13, 2006 at the Ovid Municipal Building along with the Fairfield Township Board. Deputy Rich Givens will also attend, at no charge to the township as he is not required to be there. One of the township’s Improvement CD’s is due to mature in March. After discussion questioning the profitability of a CD vs. other means of investing, Stevens reported that she will contact MTA and look into alternative investment options for townships. At 9:05 p.m. Dutton made the motion to adjourn, Sovis seconded; all ayes, no nays, carried.