Middlebury Township PO Box 622, Ovid, Michigan 48866 Regular Board Minutes Middlebury Township Hall 7627 W M21, Ovid Michigan Wednesday, June 10, 2015 at 7:00 pm Supervisor Herendeen called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm with a pledge to the flag and a prayer led by Richard Givens. Board Members Present: Supervisor Michael Herendeen, Clerk Susan Tomasek-Swan, Treasurer Carolyn Stevens, Trustee Gary Kiger and Trustee Richard Givens Guests Present: There were two guests present; Hartmann Aue and Brent Jones. Scheduled Comments: Brent Jones from Shiawassee Economic Partnership Development (SEPD) reported on Wheeler Trucking starting a business in the northeast corner of the County. Cargill Company made offer for a piece of property in Owosso Township. Hartmann Aue, County Commissioner stated not too much to update. The Shiawassee Commission board has been working on the budget. As of this date, twenty-one home building permits have been issued this year. This is up from last year. The board is also working on the FOIA act taking effect on July 1, 2015. There is two vacancies on the Commissioner board and may be one filled already. The 24th of June is the next Planning Commission meeting. Public Comments: Opened at 7:13 pm Closed at 7:14pm Diane Dowler announced the next BOR meeting will be July 21, 2015. She is still driving around the township doing her assessment. Motion to Approve Agenda: Treasurer Stevens made a motion to approve the agenda with the addition of BSA, Checking account, and Rock clearing. Trustee Givens seconded the motion. Yes: All Nay: None Carried Motion to Approve Minutes: Trustee Givens made a motion to approve the minutes from May 13, 2015 regular meeting. Treasurer Stevens seconded the motion. Yes: All Nay: None Carried Motion to Approve Bills: Clerk Tomasek-Swan made a motion to approve paying the bills with checks 3749-3805 and 4 EFT in an amount of $7,249.11 from General Fund and check 1027 in an amount of $13,065.44 from the Road Fund. Trustee Givens seconded the motion. Yes: All Nay: None Carried Supervisor Herendeen asked which project was on the Road Commission bill. Trustee Givens stated that he checked the roads after brining because a resident called with a complaint. Trustee Kiger discussed his concern about what is being spread on the road for dust control. He received a call from the same resident and he drove the roads to check and feels some of the roads were sprayed poorly. Communications: Park and Recreation- Trustee Kiger stated not much is going on. The chairman hasn’t been present at the meetings. Kiger reviewed the Park and Rec income and expenditures. OMESA- Supervisor Herendeen stated OMESA are discussing streamlining the ambulance cost. The minimum wage has raised and it is stretching the limits of payroll. Mr. Herendeen also stated a retired couple was present at the last meeting to protest to reduce a $700.00 bill. The couple did have a burn permit. OMESA has a policy to make allowances to reduce bills for people but the motion failed to pass. Planning Commission- The next meeting is in September. Library- Clerk Tomasek Swan reported the library received a donation for a picnic table for a memorial. Financially the library is doing better than last year. MTA- First Tuesday in June is the last meeting for the summer. The talk was about going to a graduated income tax. The state has banned poultry at the fair due to avian flu. Deer baiting is banned due to wasting disease. There is also a ban on a killed deer permit when you hit a deer. Business: Cemetery Meeting- Last month was discussed about W. Cox lot, the local Cox family is not related and Lynn Givens would like to contact the township attorney to know the next procedure to claim back the deed/burial rites. In the past years, the families would buy the whole lot for very cheap amount now with increase of prices, families will buy only plots. Trustee Givens would like to be able to reclaim empty plots so it can bring more money to the township. Sarah Woodruff called because she was upset because two bushes were pulled. She was upset due to not being contacted before they were pulled. The point trying to be made is to have the courtesy to try to contact the people before pulling bushes. Special board meeting to discuss the cemetery: Trustee Givens made a motion for a special board meeting on Monday, June 22nd @ 7 pm to have to discuss the rules and regulations of the township cemetery. Treasurer Stevens seconded the motion. Aye: All Nay: None Carried FOIA- Resolution 2015-05 was read by the Supervisor Herendeen for the board review. Trustee Givens made the motion to adopt Resolution 2015-05 FOIA Policy. Treasurer Stevens supported the resolution. Roll Call Vote: AYE: Kiger, Stevens, Givens, Tomasek-Swan, Herendeen NAY: None ADOPTED Website- The Township has a website but it is done by someone else. Since it is easier to do websites, the board is considering to do the site itself to keep it current. Herendeen made a motion to create an original website, preferred middleburytownship.gov and to accrue the name and software with a proposal in starting the website. The amount of expenditure is up $500.00. Trustee Givens seconded the motion. Aye: All Nay: None Carried BSA Nancy from New Haven is trying to petition to Tom Dwyer to not keeping a paper ledger. She wants to have BSA to add to the present software program but it will cost more money. Treasurer Stevens stated she didn’t think will not cost too much. The other issue is residents call Deputy Treasurer and she does not have access to tax information. Stevens would like to know if the Deputy Treasurer could have software to gain access to the BSA information. Diane Dowler stated Lynn could have access by using a password with the BSA online to check the amount. Treasurer Stevens is going to check on the price of the software. Trustee Givens cautioned about chipping in money to pay for something at the county because it sets a precedent. Checking Account- Treasurer Stevens is concerned that the checking account is way too high. Supervisor Herendeen stated we could put $200,000.00 into a CD. The board discussed amounts. Herendeen said maybe put $100,000.00. Supervisor Herendeen moved a motion to authorize the Treasurer to move a $100,000.00 from General Fund to a CD account for 6 months for the best interest rate. Trustee Givens seconded the motion. Aye: All Nay: None Carried Rocks- Herendeen stated that the rocks are worth some money. Treasurer Stevens wants to have a resident bring in the boom truck to cut the trees in trade for the rocks. Herendeen stated we need to be transparent. We need to be able to state the value of the labor done and the cost of selling the rocks. Treasurer Stevens decided to withdraw the idea. Final Comments: Opened at 8:39 pm Closed at 8:40 pm Hartmann Aue said it is a slippery slope when dealing with the perception from the public. Mr. Aue commend us on our dialogue. Motion to adjourn the meeting: Adjourned at 8:40pm Without objection the supervisor adjourned the meeting at 8:40 pm. X Susan Tomasek-Swan Middlebury Township Clerk