Middlebury Township PO Box 622, Ovid, Michigan 48866 Regular Meeting 7627 W. M-21, Ovid, MI Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 7:00 pm REGULAR MEETING Call to Order: Supervisor Herendeen called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm. Board Members Present: Supervisor Michael Herendeen, Clerk Jamie Aldrich, Treasurer Jill Ruess, Trustee Gene Ruess, and Trustee Ronald Powell Guests Present: Guests were present: 8 Kevin Lenkart, Justin Horvath, Josh Haley, Jeff Swan, Jodi Medina, Gary Keiger, Carl Chalker, Deputy Burnes. Scheduled Comments: Scheduled Comments: 1. Commissioner Report- Josh Spoke about meetings at the county about budget, he will have more to report in October. Sees the speedway moving forward, call him if any questions. 989-992-4698 2. Kevin Lenkart- Kevin spoke about ambulance services, we are in the first year of the contract. Agreement was not to change pricing for 2 years. The end of that is coming and we should expect to see an increase going forward, in 2027. He will update us when they have prices worked out, he just wanted to give us ample notice. Should be around March of 2027 when the rate changes. Expecting rates to increase 8-10% 3. Justin Horvath- Justin spoke about the grants that they are working on. He wanted to go over what they have to offer to help with available grants. Wanted us to be aware of what they offer. Wants us to identify a wish list. Would like to see a contract for services to be able to help us identify what is available to us. It was set up as $1,000.00 a year for this service. The new grant they are managing does not require the contract however they strongly encourage it. They have an intake form to fill out to see if they are able to help us before we sign a contract. He will email the intake form for the board to fill out. Carl asked about the push of wind power. Justin said that it is concerning to him as well. But he hasn’t endorsed this. Officer Burns spoke about safety in the area, he will be out to address some of the issues with speeding and reckless driving. Gary spoke about the people speeding down Baldwin Rd. Public Comments: Opened at 7:35 pm Closed at 7:40 pm Carl Chalker talked about the Elsie Fire department and what is going on with embezzlement. Mike told him were not any part of that. He wants to know if we know what is ours if OMESA is to dissolve. Mike told him they have a board that keeps track of that. Motion to Approve Agenda: G. Ruess made a motion to approve agenda. J. Aldrich seconded the motion. Voice Vote: Ayes: All Nays None Carried Motion to Approve Minutes: J. Ruess made a motion to approve the July 2025 minutes. R. Powell seconded the motion. Voice Vote: Ayes: All Nays: None Carried Motion to approve Bills J. Ruess made a motion to approve bills Total General Fund Cks 6435-6455 and Cks 6457-6471 for a total of $24,621.44; and an EFT for $29.89 For a combined total amount $24,651.33. With the exception of verifying Family Tree Lawncare. If adjustments are needed they will be adjusted on the next check. J. Aldrich seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: M. Herendeen-Yes J. Aldrich- Yes R. Powell- Yes J. Ruess- Yes G. Ruess- Yes Communications: MTA- Library- Wrapped up summer reading program, had a great turn out. OMESA- Talked about internal stuff, meeting straight forward. Clerk- Owosso Schools Special Election- Election Commission meeting held 8/19/25 We are still responsible to let the voters know that they will be voting at Owosso Township. Assessor- Treasurer- She has moved all but one CD to the sweep account. Balance in sweep is just over 1 million at this time earning 3.5% interest Business: 1. Maner Costerisan- Received a letter that they have grown and they can no longer service some of their clients and they asked us to engage another accounting firm. G. Ruess made a motion to perform audit annually. J. Ruess seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: M. Herendeen-Yes J. Aldrich- Yes R. Powell- Yes J. Ruess- Yes G. Ruess- Yes G. Ruess made a motion to hire AHP to perform our audits and file our F-65. J. Aldrich seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: M. Herendeen-Yes J. Aldrich- Yes R. Powell- Yes J. Ruess- Yes G. Ruess- Yes 2. Assessor Pay-Employee vs Vendor- Mike stated that he got a legal opinion from Scott Gould that we should not be paying him as an employee. J. Ruess made the motion to pay Mark Holley as a independent contractor and make checks payable to Complete Appraisal Services INC. M. Herendeen second the motion. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: M. Herendeen-Yes J. Aldrich- Yes R. Powell- Yes J. Ruess- Yes G. Ruess- Yes 3. Culvert replacement. Road commission replaces culverts under 24 inches with no cost to townships. This is larger so they ask the township to cover the culvert. Jamie asked if we share this with Sciota Township. If so shouldn’t they share the cost? G. Ruess made a motion to cover half of the cost for the culvert replacement, and authorize the supervisor to sign the contract. J. Ruess seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: M. Herendeen-Yes J. Aldrich- Yes R. Powell- Yes J. Ruess- Yes G. Ruess- Yes 4. MTPP Renewal- J. Ruess Made a motion to pay Acrisure renewal including the Cyber package for a total of $9,410.50 and have the clerk sign all related documents. M. Herendeen second the motion. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: M. Herendeen-Yes J. Aldrich- Yes R. Powell- Yes J. Ruess- Yes G. Ruess- Yes J. Ruess made a motion to purchase terrorism insurance if not included in previous invoice and bind request for $50. Authorize clerk to sign all related documents. G. Ruess seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: M. Herendeen-Yes J. Aldrich- Yes R. Powell- Yes J. Ruess- Yes G. Ruess- Yes Clerk will get estimate to add additional liability insurance. Revisit next month. Old Business: 1. Building and Grounds Improvements- complete. Remove from agenda. 2. Building Signage- G. Ruess called Agnew and got estimate. Table until next month. 3. Mason Rd-low spot in road needs repair Mike went to look and believes it is not that big of a spot nor is it the only low spot on that road. Board discussion determined not to pursue this at this time. 4. Austin & Krouse Rd-trees need to be trimmed to see around corner. Jeff Swan will talk to road commission. 5. Chalker foundation- Done remove from next agenda. 6. Earned Sick Time-policy needed, how to track time earned-front load or pay as earned? Table until October. 7. New Hall- Gary asked about keeping it local. Table until October. Final Comments: Time Opened 9:24 Time Closed 9:25 Gary commented he didn’t know about the election meeting. Jamie clarified that and stated it was posted in the paper and online. Adjourn 9:25 PM without objection CALENDAR: Tuesday, October 14th, 2025 Regular Township Board Meeting 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 24th, 2025 OMESA 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 17th, 2025, Library Meeting 7:00 p.m. X Angela Wheeler Deputy Clerk