June 13, 2009 OPEN FORUM MEETING

10am

All board members present. About 12 twp citizens present.
Part 1: Township priorities.
Roads, roads, roads.
Overall twp improvement, including a park maybe on the north side of the present twp building adjacent to the river access; upgrading present twp hall in some form; reclamation of old gravel pits.
Big Bass Lake, including old septic tanks being subpar.

Part 2: Short and long term goals.
Lou Fitz suggested a 5 year and 10 year biz plan idea.
Doug Mann asked about police presence in the area.
Charlie Young mentioned a trash ordinance.
VanDolsen became very vocal concerning zoning and mentioned that it is ignorance that holds people back from zoning.

Part 3: Types of committees.
VanDolsen mentioned she liked ad hoc committees more than standing committees, and she would rather disband the Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC).
There will be a call for volunteers in the next newsletter going out with the tax statements, and any interested persons may contact VanDolsen (266-5201).
Committees discussed include road & safety, business planning, maintenance & beautification, cemetery, ordinance, and Board of Review.
Citizens do not necessarily need to be a resident except for the Board of Review (for which there is a need for 2 alternates).

Part 4: Structure of committees.
VanDolsen stated she would like a limited number of people on a committee with a definite time frame, although she agreed that a biz/planning committee should/could be a standing committee.

Part 5: other comments.
VanDolsen again represented the lone voice that the CAC should be dissolved.
VanVleet thought that the name should be changed because she feels the community looks down on the committee.
Arquette wants time to think about this idea of dissolving the CAC.
Fairbanks asked for a history of the CAC.
Lou Fitz responded succinctly that the CAC came about by a motion of the old board which created CAC to investigate the newly acquired property for the purpose of relocating the twp facilities; when the property in question was brought to a vote of the people, it was overwhelmingly voted to keep the twp hall on the current property; then the CAC was given a directive by the then current board to focus on the possibility of twp hall renovation.
Fairbanks mentioned in light of this information that the CAC should be kept intact regardless of the name as he doesn’t wish to alienate members of the community who wish to serve.
John Gorys suggested more people can be on any committee as alternated without voting privileges.
Fitz suggested that the board needs to define the scope and parameters of any committee before people commit to such committees.

Meeting adjourned.