Board minutes
2006-06 Regular Board Minutes
Thursday June 8, 2006 at 7:00 p.m., the regular meeting of the Middlebury
Township board met at the Ovid Municipal building at 114 East Front St. Ovid,
Michigan. The meeting was called to order by Supervisor Anthony Sinicropi with the
pledge to the flag. Prayer was given by Clerk Audrey Sovis. Also present were board
members Treasurer Carolyn Stevens, and Trustees Charles Simpson and Paul Dutton.
There were 7 visitors present.
Scheduled Comments: Geri Terry and Tammy Pappas from Demis and
Wenzlick, CPA, came to present the board with the 2006 audit report. Ms. Terry
reported that the audit went very well and that the Township’s finances were in excellent
condition. There were no comments or recommendations given. A motion was made by
Stevens, seconded by Sinicropi to accept the audit report; roll call vote: Sinicropi aye,
Stevens aye, Simpson aye, Dutton aye, Sovis aye, no nays, carried.
Deputy Craig Lawson of the Shiawassee County Sheriff’s Department came to
stand in for Deputy Steve Loomis. Lawson brought Middlebury statistics for 911 events
in the month of May. The board discussed traffic “trouble spots” in the township, namely
at the intersections of M-21 and Warren Rd., Mason and Warren Rd. and Baldwin and
Simpson Rd.
Steve Schweikert, Township Assessor, asked for the board’s permission to speak
with the Middlebury Attorney regarding a property assessment dispute with a Middlebury
Township resident. Sinicropi made the motion to give Schweikert the authority to speak
with Mark Cooley, Attorney for Middlebury, seconded by Simpson, all ayes, no nays,
carried.
Jim Capitan, County Commissioner representing Middlebury Township, reported
that the County will soon have the money needed to begin working on the Rail to Trail
project. He will keep the board up to date on this issue. He also reported that the County
budget is on track, but with no money to spare.
Public Comment: There was none.
Regular Business: A motion to approve the agenda was made by Dutton,
seconded by Sovis; all ayes, no nays, carried. A motion was made by Simpson, seconded
by Dutton to approve the minutes of the May 11, 2006 board meeting; all ayes, no nays,
carried. A motion was made by Simpson, seconded by Dutton to approve the minutes of
the May 25, 2006 special meeting; all ayes, no nays, carried. A motion was made by
Sovis, seconded by Sinicropi to accept the Treasurer’s report as presented; all ayes, no
nays, carried. A motion was made by Dutton, seconded by Simpson to pay the June bills
in the amount of $14,572.23 (ck #’s 1676-1703); motion carried by signature vote.
Communications: Deputy Supervisor, Rich Givens, gave an update on the
township’s letter of intent that was sent to property owner Richard Johnson. This letter
was in regard to property surrounding the Middlebury Township hall to the north and to
the east of the building that the board is interested in purchasing. Johnson did not give a
direct answer, but did express his desire to have the township move roads for him at the
township’s expense. Givens made it clear that the township cannot afford to do this and,
for now, the subject has been dropped. The board will be interested in hearing from Mr.
Johnson in the future, if he desires to negotiate a price for the land.
Sovis reported that an error on the amount of monies available to Parks and
Recreation was made at the May meeting. A motion was made by Simpson to give
another $500 to the Parks and Recreation, seconded by Dutton; roll call vote: Dutton
aye, Simpson aye, Sinicropi aye, Stevens aye, Sovis aye, no nays, carried.
A motion was made by Sovis, seconded by Dutton to send 2 Planning Board
members each, to two upcoming seminars this summer at a total cost of $260.00; roll call
vote: Dutton aye, Stevens aye, Sinicropi aye, Sovis aye, Simpson aye, no nays, carried.
Unfinished Business: Sovis spoke with Attorney Mark Cooley this week and she
reported that he has not yet had Helvie sign his deed for his property near the cemetery.
Sinicropi reported that he has signed the deed for the Middlebury Township Cemetery.
Sovis reported that she had been contacted by the Sciota Township Treasurer,
Eric Schuman regarding an exterior posting board for the town hall. He said when his
township approached the Ovid-Elsie woodshop teacher, they were told the class was too
busy and didn’t do those kinds of projects any longer. Schuman suggested a web sight
where they had purchased their posting board from. Middlebury board members will go
look at the Sciota board before making a decision.
New Business: Sinicropi reported that the Board of Review may now appoint
alternates to serve on that board in case of illness, work, etc.
Sovis inquired about the completion of the clean-up on the former Metz property.
Fill dirt and seeding is still needed to complete the project. Givens will check into this.
Sovis reported that she had sent the Owosso Speedway owners an application for
a fireworks permit, asking that it be returned by June 1. Sovis also called and left a
message with Dave Bigos several days ago. No response has been received.
Reports: Sovis reported that the Austin burial from April 15 has been paid for by
the family.
Sinicropi reported that the ballot language was approved for the OMES millage
renewal at the May 25 special board meeting.
Dutton reported that the library’s summer reading program is now under way.
At 8:40 p.m. a motion was made by Sovis, seconded by Sinicropi to adjourn; all
ayes, no nays, carried.