Board minutes
2007-02 Regular Board Minutes
DRAFT
Thursday February 8, 2007 at 7:00 p.m., the regular meeting of the Middlebury
Township Board met at the Ovid Municipal Building at 114 East Front Street Ovid, MI.
The meeting was called to order by Supervisor Anthony Sinicropi with the pledge to the
flag. Prayer was given by Clerk Audrey Sovis. Board members also present were
Treasurer Carolyn Stevens and Trustees Paul Dutton and Charles Simpson. There were 10
visitors.
Scheduled Comments: Deputy Steve Loomis reported that the township has been
relatively quiet. Lonnie Latunski and three other Shiawassee County Road Commission
members came and presented the 2007 road projects and costs. At this time, Mason Road
from Carland to Vincent will be the only project for the upcoming year, at an estimated
cost of $108,500. Twenty-seven and one quarter miles of continuous application of
mineral well brine on the gravel roads (two applications) will cost an estimated $9537.50.
Mr. Latunski also covered the possibility of the state raising the gas tax by 9¢ to help
maintain road in Michigan.
Public Comments: None.
General Business: A motion was made by Sovis, seconded by Stevens to approve
the agenda with the addition of re-appointing Erin Dutton to the Library Board under New
Business; all ayes, no nays, carried. A motion was made by Stevens, seconded by Dutton
to approve the minutes of the January 11, 2007 board meeting as presented; all ayes, no
nays, carried. A motion was made by Sovis, seconded by Dutton to accept the Treasurer’s
report as presented; all ayes, no nays, carried. A motion was made by Simpson, seconded
by Dutton to approve the payment of the February bills in the amount of $2,357.55 (check
#’s 1841-1847); all ayes, no nays, carried by signature vote.
Communications: A brochure from MTA regarding a seminar covering the
Zoning Board of Appeals came to the board. No one will be attending.
Unfinished Business: Several options for revising the Board’s per diem for
attending meetings were covered. Resolution 2007-03 After much discussion a motion
was made by Sovis, seconded by Sinicropi proposing the following per diem pay:
1. A trustee shall receive $100.00 for each monthly or special township board meeting he
or she attends.
2. Any board member that has been appointed to another board (i.e., library, Maple Grove
Cemetery, Emergency Services, Planning or any other that may be formed shall receive
$25.00 for each regular or special meeting he or she attends for those boards.
3. Any board member that received board approval and attends an educational or training
seminar shall receive $25.00, excluding the annual MTA Conference. The monthly
county MTA meeting shall be considered educational for this purpose except the
annual dinner meeting.
4. The township Supervisor is not appointed to, but is required to sit on the OMES Board;
therefore, he shall receive $25.00 for each board meeting he attends.
Roll call vote: Stevens aye, Sinicropi aye, Dutton nay, Sovis aye, Simpson aye. The
motion was carried by majority vote.
New Business: Dan Stewart, newly elected County Commissioner for this district
came and introduced himself and gave a brief overview of the responsibilities he has
been given as well as interests he has in pursuing.
Rich Givens reported on the Planning Commission’s (PC’s) recommendation
regarding a proposed text amendment (PTA) to the Shiawassee County Zoning
Audrey Sovis! 2/13/07 1:34 PM
Comment: Per Diems for meetings for all board
members
Ordinance that deals with Maximum/minimum lot sizes and another that deals with
Private Outdoor Recreation. The PC recommended the board opposed the PTA on
Minimum/Maximum Lot sizes. The PC recommended the approval of the PTA
regarding Private Outdoor Recreation. A motion was made by Dutton, seconded by
Simpson to make those recommendations with the reasons stated, to the County; all
ayes, no nays, carried.
Stevens reported that the Township will have five Certificates of Deposits reaching
maturity between February 27 and April 14. The board was asked for their opinion on
how to proceed with these funds. Resolution 2007-04 A motion was made by Sovis,
seconded by Sinicropi to take the interest earned on the Cemetery CD ($928.87) and
use it to repair broken cemetery markers and foundations. Furthermore, all other CD’s
and the interest earned would be renewed; roll call vote: Sovis aye, Sinicropi aye,
Simpson aye, Stevens aye, Dutton aye, no nays, carried.
Sovis reported that the election inspector pay was increased in Shiawassee County
for the school elections to $10 an hour. The board was asked for their opinion as to
whether or not they should receive this rate for all elections. Costs were compared and
there was discussion. Resolution 2007-05 A motion was made by Simpson, seconded
by Sinicropi that the election inspector pay be increased to $10 an hour for all
elections; roll call vote: Dutton aye, Simpson aye, Stevens aye, Sovis aye, Sinicropi
aye, no nays, carried.
Sovis reported that the current IRS mileage rate is set at 48.5 cents a mile for 2007.
The board’s resolution for mileage pay states that the board will follow the current rate
allowed by the IRS. Resolution 2007-06 After discussion, a motion was made by
Sinicropi, seconded by Stevens that the board will be paid 46 cents a mile for mileage
incurred for township business excluding regular and special township board meetings;
roll call vote: Sinicropi aye, Stevens aye, Simpson aye, Sovis aye, Dutton aye, no
nays, carried.
Leighton Leighty approached the board with a contract for renewal. After
discussion, it was decided that due to budget restraints, a contract for per diem work
would be better. Mr. Leighty stated he would make a new contract.
At 9:20 p.m. Sinicropi requested a break.
At 9:30 p.m. the meeting resumed. The proposed budget for fiscal year 2007-08
was reviewed. A motion was made by Dutton, seconded by Simpson to approve the
road project of paving Mason road from Carland to Vincent roads; roll call vote: Sovis
aye, Stevens aye, Dutton aye, Simpson aye, Sinicropi aye, no nays, carried.
Sinicropi reported that Erin Dutton’s appointment on the Library Board is due to
expire. It was recommended by the library board that her appointment be renewed. A
motion was made by Sovis, seconded by Sinicropi to reappoint Erin Dutton to the
Library Board for a 4 year term ending in 2011; all ayes, no nays, carried.
Reports: Sovis had the following to report: that the former Metz property at the
corner of M-21 and Warren Road has been sold to the highest bidder for $1,050, and
there will be an election on May 8. Also, the board was informed that the clerk is
currently seeking full-time employment. At this time is uncertain how or if this will
affect the position of the clerk’s office.
Audrey Sovis! 2/13/07 1:34 PM
Audrey Sovis! 2/13/07 1:39 PM
Audrey Sovis! 2/13/07 1:53 PM
Comment: 5 CD’s renewed--
Cemetery CD interest used for repairs
Comment: Election Inspector pay increased to
$10/hour for all elections
Comment: Mileage Rate set at 46 cents/mile