Board minutes
2023-07-11 Regular Board Minutes
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Middlebury Township Minutes 07/11/2023
Middlebury Township PO Box 622, Ovid, Michigan 48866
Draft
Regular Meeting
7627 W. M-21, Ovid, MI
Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at 7:00 pm
REGULAR MEETING
Call to Order:
Supervisor Swan called the meeting to order at 7: 00 pm.
Board Members Present:
Supervisor Jeffery Swan, Treasurer Jill Ruess, Trustee Greg Atwood, and Trustee Gene Ruess
Absent: Clerk Susan Tomasek Swan
Guests Present: 6 Guests were present, including Deputy Clerk, Shawn Dilts; County Commissioner,
Marlene Webster; Deputy Supervisor, Mike Herendeen; Assessor, Dr. Mark Holley;
Scheduled Comments: County commissioner reports that the courthouse renovations are underway and
on schedule to conclude on time. On Thursday, July 13 the fire department will be conducting the water
seal test over the dome. The Veterans building is now open, there has not been an official ribbon cutting
yet. County audit has been completed on time and there were no negative comments. The State of MI
has made a proposal for a strategic plan for housing development. Our region is determined to be in
need. County has received large Opioid settlement monies. Currently the monies received has been
$450,000 and more anticipated over next 18 years. County is establishing a strategic planning group for
determining use of these monies.
Public Comments: Opened at 7:06 pm Closed at 7:07 pm Resident asked on status of a slow sign in the
Golden Stallion subdivision sign. Supervisor Swan will follow up with Road Commission.
Motion to Approve Agenda:
Trustee Atwood made a motion to approve agenda as amended. Treasurer Ruess seconded the motion.
Carried on Voice Vote
Motion to Approve Minutes:
Treasurer Ruess made a motion to amend the 2022 minutes Trustee Atwood seconded the motion.
Carried on Voice Vote
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Middlebury Township Minutes 07/11/2023
Motion to approve Bills
Treasurer Ruess made a motion to approve bills from General Funds in the amount of $12287.09 with
checks #5971-5989 4 EFTs and Emergency Fund $1,237.50 ck 1051. Trustee Atwood seconded the
motion.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes: G. Atwood, G. Ruess, J. Ruess, J. Swan
Absent: S. Tomasek-Swan
Treasurer Ruess made a motion to amend the budget to create 101-596-801.002 SATA contracted
service $5,000.00 and amend unallocated 101-299-969.000 of #25,047.00 to $20,470.00. Trustee
Atwood seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes: G. Atwood, G. Ruess, J. Ruess, J. Swan
Absent: S. Tomasek-Swan
Communications:
MTA- No meeting in July. Next meeting is in September.
Library- Minutes in the packet, approve budget for the fiscal year
OMESA- At the last OMESA meeting the lease/purchase was approved for a new fire truck. The grant
requests for each of the 3 participating municipalities ($10,000.00 each) were completed and submitted.
Awaiting determination.
Clerk- Election Update August 8; ICX and ICP update- purchase new USB and cover for ICX; Ballot box
ordered; No August meeting
Assessor- discussed the difficulties that has occurred with some splits and combinations that seems to be
occurring at the county level. Assessor is addressing.
Treasurer- New CD has been purchased in the amount of $150,000 for 4 months.
Business:
1. SATA FY 2023-2024 Commitment Letter Supervisor is requesting ridership numberers from
SATA. This information will be used to determine the township’s commitment for next
year. Decision will be made at September meeting. There is concern regarding the lack of
marketing from SATA for ridership since contract began 5/1/2023.
2. Burnham and Flowers Insurance Renewal Trustee Ruess made a motion to have the
township clerk sign and submit the payment for the insurance. Treasurer Ruess seconded
the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes: G. Atwood, G. Ruess, J. Ruess, J. Swan
Absent: S. Tomasek-Swan
Supervisor will obtain the invoice from the clerk for the bonding insurance and will be
submitting it to the county for reimbursement.
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Middlebury Township Minutes 07/11/2023
3. Driveway Easement The surrounding property has been sold. Trustee Ruess has been in
contact with 2 contractors but none of them have been out to the property yet to review
the job and give estimates. The board is asking that the contractors provide 2 quotes each
for the different options of the driveway placement.
4. Pre-Approval motion to pay August Bills Trustee Atwood made a motion to approve the
clerk to pay the August bills. Treasurer Ruess seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes: G. Atwood, G. Ruess, J. Ruess, J. Swan
Absent: S. Tomasek-Swan
5. MTA Education Package- Tabled from last month Table until September
6. Racetrack New owners were not aware that they must request permission for fireworks
from the township. The request form has been sent to them and they are aware that it
needs to be received 4 weeks prior to fireworks.
7. Grounds work reimbursement Treasurer Ruess made a motion to approve reimbursement
to Trustee Ruess for his expenses for the work on the berm that includes 5 hours of time
at $25/hour, $103 for the brush hog rental, and $100 tractor rental in the amount of $328
to be added to his next expense report. Trustee Atwood seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes: G. Atwood, G. Ruess, J. Ruess, J. Swan
Absent: S. Tomasek-Swan
Final Comments: Opened at 7:55 pm Closed at 7:55 pm
.
Motion to adjourn the meeting: Adjourned at 7:55 pm
.
Next meeting September 12, 2023 at 7:00pm
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Shawn Dilts
Deputy Clerk