Board minutes
2020-02 Regular Board Minutes
Middlebury Township PO Box 622, Ovid, Michigan 48866
Regular Meeting
Middlebury Township Hall
7627 W M21, Ovid Michigan
Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 7:00 pm
Election Commission Meeting
Call to Order:
Supervisor Herendeen called the meeting to order at 7:10pm.
Board Members Present:
Supervisor Michael Herendeen, Clerk Rose Brown, Treasurer Carolyn Stevens-Absent
Guests Present: Eight guests present: Carl Chalker, Karl Heckman, Janell Kebler, Shiawassee Road
Commission: Mike Constine, John Michalec, Ric Crawford, Troy Howes, Brent Friess.
Public Comments: Opened at pm Closed at _7:02 pm
Business:
Clerk Brown made a motion to approve the following people for election inspectors for the March 10,
2020 Presidential Primary: Rose Brown, Susan Tomasek-Swan, Andrea Moore, Connie Walter, and
Shawn Dilts. Supervisor Herendeen second the motion.
Ayes: all Nays: none carried Absent: Stevens
Closed: 7:04 pm
Regular Board Meeting
Opened: 7:04 am
Call to Order:
Supervisor Herendeen called the meeting to order at 7:04pm.
Board Members Present:
Supervisor Michael Herendeen, Clerk Rose Brown, Treasurer Carolyn Stevens-Absent, Trustee Richard
Semans and Trustee Gary Kiger
Guests Present: Eight guests present: Carl Chalker, Karl Heckman, Janell Kebler, Shiawassee Road
Commission: Mike Constine, John Michalec, Ric Crawford, Troy Howes, Brent Friess.
Scheduled Comments:
Shiawassee Road Commission-Brent Friess, the road commissioner manager, introduced the Shiawassee
Road Commission Board. He reviewed the updated potential road projects for Middlebury Township.
Mr. Friess notified the board weed control spray needs to stay within 1.5 feet of the road edge. The DEQ
stated they can no longer can spray “grass to grass”. The road commission budget was approved and the
contribution this year will be $35,000.00. Trustee Semans stated his road project recommendation to
the township board last month. Clerk Brown asked if the road commission was responsible for the
sidewalks.
Marlene Webster- absent
Janell Kebler- She stated her concerns about the sidewalk that is situated in the township. Supervisor
Herendeen explained the issue of having an ordinance regarding the sidewalk maintenance. He
explained the difference between cities and township. She said that it is a safety issue. It is the sidewalk
between East St. to Mabbit St. on First Street. The issue is the kids are walking in the street due to the
sidewalk not being maintained. Supervisor Herendeen stated he will check with the attorney to see if
the township has lawful authority enact an ordinance.
Motion to Approve Agenda:
Trustee Semans made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Clerk Brown seconded the
motion.
Aye: All Nay: None Absent: Stevens Carried
Motion to Approve Minutes:
Trustee Kiger made a motion to approve the minutes from the January 8, 2020 as presented. Trustee
Semans seconded the motion.
Yes: All Nay: None Absent: Stevens Carried
Motion to approve Bills
Clerk Brown made a motion to approve General Funds in the amount of $7,681.85 checks # 5179-
5192, and 3 EFTs. Trustee Semans seconded the motion.
Yes: All Nay: None Absent: Stevens Carried
Communications:
Park and Recreation: Closed for winter.
OMESA: Short meeting last month held last month. There is $381.00 needs to obtain from Mallory to fix
the generator and then the bond will be released.
Library: Minutes were presented. Library hired a bookkeeper.
MTA Meeting: The meeting was held at Caledonia Township. The next meeting will be Fairfield
Township hosting but will probably be held at Caledonia Hall on Tuesday March 3, 2020.
Assessor Communications: None
Clerk Communications: none
Business
1.) Change of meeting date – There are some conflicts with holding township meetings on the
second Wednesday. Clerk Brown expressed concern regarding when elections will fall on
meeting dates and being able to get packets out timely. Trustee Semans made a motion to
change the townships regular monthly meeting to the second Tuesday of the month effective
as of April 1, 2020. Clerk Brown seconded the motion.
Roll Call: AYES: Semans, Kiger, Brown, Herendeen NAYS: None Absent: Stevens
2.) Election Inspector rate increase – The current rate for election inspectors is $10.00 per hour.
Most of the municipals’ rates are between $12.00 to $15.00 per hour.
2020-02
Election Workers Compensation
WHEREAS the current hourly rate of pay for election workers in the township is $10.00 per hour which
has been in place many years and appears to be inadequate to reliably retain election workers for the
township elections;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVE that effective March 1, 2020 the hourly rate of pay for the township
election workers will be $12.00 per hour.
All other items, such as per diem pay and chairperson pay will remain the same.
AYES: Kiger, Semans, Brown, Herendeen
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Stevens
Supervisor declare the resolution approved and adopted on this 12th day of February 2020.
3.) Land Swap – Trustee Semans stated there is an issue with the title insurance with gravel
company that owned it prior. There is an issue with the title insurance. There is an error is the
transfer of properties from the original property owned by the gravel company. Lynn Bowne
spoke to the owner and the attorney and they believe they may have it straighten out. The
papers are all signed and ready when this is cleared.
Final Comments: Opened 8:14 at pm Closed at 8:35 pm
Trustee Semans brought to the board attention about a bill that is going to vote that would limit the
township’s ability to regulate gravel mining. Herendeen continue the discussion with the zoning and
with our township it goes through the county.
Clerk Brown review other letters and communications that are included in the board’s packet. Clerk
Brown also presented a preview of the budget.
Karl Heckman raised a question regarding his tax statement and veteran’s exemption to the board.
Motion to adjourn the meeting: Adjourned at 8:35pm
Without objection the supervisor adjourned the meeting at 8:35 pm.
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Susan K Tomasek Swan
Deputy Clerk