Middlebury Township Board Minutes Draft Minutes Middlebury Township Board Regular Meeting Wednesday, June 13, 2012 Middlebury Township Hall 7627 W. M-21 Ovid, Michigan 48866 Minutes Supervisor Anthony Sinicropi called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm Call To Order with a Pledge to the Flag and a prayer led by Richard Semans. Members Present: Supervisor Anthony Sinicropi, Clerk Susan Roll Call Tomasek-Swan, Treasurer Carolyn Stevens, Trustee Erin Dutton and Trustee Paul Dutton. Guest Present: The following guests were present: Jim Civille, Richard Semans, Lynn and Rich Givens, Stan Hampton, Orlan Stringham, Don Potts, Thomas Emery, Randy Montague, Al Toma, Doug Krebiehl, Robert Dennison, Diane Dowler, Michael Herendeen and Gary Kiger. Scheduled Comments: Scheduled Comments Jim Civille (Memorial Hospital's realtor) wanted to let the board know everything is going along very well. Owosso Memorial hospital has approval from MDOT to place a driveway off M-21 and is negotiating with the Maple Grove (MG) Cemetery Authority to obtained property they own. Mr. Civille is planning on attending the next MG cemetery board meeting to finish the details with the contract. The hospital plans to have the building up by Fall 2012. Public Comment: Opened 7:02 p.m. Closed 8:04 p.m. Don Potts presented to the township board, on behalf of Orlin Stringham, a proposal for moving his auto repair business to his residence. Reasons given were lack of business due to the declining economy and physical limitations. In the packet presented to the board, there was information on the "haz mat" company that Mr. Stringham will contract for oil and anti-freeze disposal. Mr. Stringham also assured the township board he would regulate the number of vehicles parked at his residences. Thomas Emery, a republican candidate for the prosecuting attorney, presented to the township board and audience his qualifications and personal background. Stan Hampton, Ovid township resident and candidate for the Ovid township clerk office, spoke to the township board about his desires to mend the relationship between Ovid Township, The Village of Ovid and the Middlebury Township boards. Mr. Hampton also represented Greg Palen, candidate for Ovid township Supervisor, who asked Mr. Hampton to convey his desires to mend relationships of the local municipalities. Randy Montague introduced himself as running for Ovid Township trustee. Mr. Montague re-emphasized repairing relationships with the Middlebury Township board and the Ovid-Middlebury Emergency Service Authority (OMESA) board. Mr. Montague asked the board to tell family and friends residing in the Ovid Township area about the new candidates running for the Ovid township board. Bob Dennison, Democratic candidate for Middlebury Township Supervisor, stated his desires to repair the relationships with area municipalities as well. Paul Dutton, Democratic candidate for County Commissioner District 1 in Shiawassee County, gave his background and qualifications for the office he is seeking. Mr. Dutton discussed his plans if he is elected. Gary Kiger, Republican candidate for Middlebury trustee office, stated his goals for not spending money on nonsense and to get along with everyone. Michael Herendeen, Republican candidate for Middlebury Township Supervisor, expressed his desire to maintain the fiscal responsibility of the township and iron out the relationship with OMESA and Ovid township. Rich Givens, Republican candidate for Middlebury township trustee, stated he decided to run for trustee since there was an opening. Mr. Givens wants to keep the township going and erase boundaries between Ovid township, the Village of Ovid and Middlebury township and have one big community. Mr. Givens is hoping for a fresh start with new members on the boards. Richard Semans updated the township board on OMESA activities. This years audit with Demis and Wenzlick came out very good. The damage to the ambulance from the accident in May was not as bad as first assumed as the ambulance will not totaled. Unfortunately the truck that was involved in the accident will be totaled and OMESA will be taking bids on the truck for salvage. The new ambulance still has not arrived but should be arriving soon. The lawsuit against Ovid township is moving slowly; Mr. Semans was hoping the title would be signed so the lawsuit could be dropped. Gary Kiger informed the township board that the Shiawassee Road Commission has only called him once to ride with the driver as he sprayed mineral brine. Mr. Kiger wanted to know if the road commission will be calling him again to ride with them and how much brine and which roads the road commission was to be spreading. Members on the board explained to Mr. Kiger how many passes are made and that all gravel roads are sprayed, even the low traveled ones. The purpose of brining the roads is to maintain the integrity of the road. A motion to approve the agenda was moved by E. Dutton, seconded by P. Dutton. Motion to Approve Agenda AYE: All NO: none CARRIED AGENDA APPROVED Tomasek Swan made a motion to approve the minutes from May 9, 2012 with typo corrections being made seconded by Stevens. Minutes Approved AYE: All NO: none CARRIED P. Dutton made a motion to approve the banking report, seconded by Tomasek-Swan. Treasurer's Report Approved AYE: All NO: none CARRIED P. Dutton made the motion to pay bills in with checks numbered 3105-3113 and 3115-3121 and 1 EFT in an amount of $6,341.86, seconded by Tomasek Swan. Bills Payment Approved AYE: All NO: none CARRIED None Communications None Unfinished Business New Business Tomasek-Swan made a motion to approve the L-4029 tax millage, seconded by P. Dutton. AYE: All NAY: None Carried Anthony Sinicropi explained the situation with the grass growing too long on a property in Middlebury township where the neighbors have offered to mow the grass at no charge. But if the property owner were to state to stop mowing and leave their property the neighbors would need to leave to avoid any legal issues. The house in question is believed to be bank owned and is vacant. Paul Dutton suggested a letter needs to be sent to the bank to remind them to mow the grass. The situation will be looked into. Supervisor Sinicropi believes the board needs to defend itself in regards to recent letters printed in the local papers. Deputy Supervisor Mike Herendeen stated he did not think most of the community believed what has been written. Trustees Erin and Paul Dutton communicated that Middlebury township is above these types of actions and does not need to do the same thing. Fireworks - Personal property is owed on the racetrack. 138.58. Tony went to the racetrack and the renters told him to talk to the owners. Treasurer Stevens was told by MTA and Tom Dwyer said she needs to go over a seize property. Mike said you can go over and take property. The township can sue for the taxes and win but we still don't get money. It is personal property It is the business tax. Tony is going to call Miracles. E. Dutton made a motion for the racetrack to have 4th July fireworks permit contingent on having proper paperwork and insurance. Sinicropi seconded the motion. Aye: All Nay: None Carried Supervisor Sinicropi believes it is time for a change of representation on the Maple Grove cemetery board. He suggested appointing Rich Givens to replace Bob Dennison and Carolyn Stevens to replace Paul Dutton effective immediately. Mr. Sinicropi made a motion and it was seconded by Stevens. Mr. Dutton stated he wanted to remain on the board until after the election as did Mr. Dennison. Roll Call Vote: Aye: Stevens, Sinicropi Nay: Erin Dutton, Paul Dutton, Tomasek-Swan Not Carried Tomasek-Swan made a motion to replace Paul Dutton with Carolyn Stevens on the Maple Grove board, seconded by Sinicropi. Roll Call Vote: Aye: Steven, Tomasek-Swan, Sinicropi Nay: Erin Dutton, Paul Dutton Carried Final Comments Carolyn Stevens commented on activity occurring on the M-21 property site that was cleaned by the county last year. She expressed concerns with how the property may become. Middlebury resident, Doug Krebiehl volunteer to talk to the owner of the property. Opened 9:06 pm Doug Krebiehl updated the board on the progress of the hall's driveway and parking lot. He is still waiting to get prices on supplies. Closed 9:22 pm The meeting was adjourned at 9:23 pm Motion made by Stevens and seconded by Sinicropi ADJOURNED AYE: All NO: none CARRIED Minutes prepared by ___________________________________________________________ Susan Tomasek-Swan Susan Tomasek-Swan, Middlebury Township Clerk Clerk