2012 New Beginnings-New Board

 BRANDY MYERS, TREASURER

 ENTIRE ELK TOWNSHIP BOARD

 JOHN FAIRBANKS & BRANDY MYERS

 JOHN FAIRBANKS, TRUSTEE

 LOU FITZ, SUPERVISOR

 SHARON YOUNG, TRUSTEE

 VICKI GATES, CLERK

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR

TO YOU & YOURS

Free Fishing Weekend

DNR has published the dates for the free fishing weekend:
FEB 16 & 17, 2013

New Signage on Snowmobile Trails

Link for New Signage on Snowmobile Trails

DNR announces change to burn permit call system

DNR announces change to burn permit call system

Oaths of Office for Elected Officials

NOVEMBER 13, 2012 REGULAR MEETING

ELK TOWNSHIP

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

NOVEMBER 13, 2012

Johnny Gates offered a prayer for guidance

Meeting opened with Clerk, Vicki Gates, leading the Pledge of Allegiance

S. Young-motion to appoint J. Fairbanks as moderator of the meeting, C. Draper seconded; passed

J. Fairbanks extended condolences for the passing of Charlie Steigmeyer

Additions to agenda: Approval of the purchase of a new copy machine-not to exceed $325.

Members present:       Sharon Young, Trustee-266.8432       

Vicki Gates, Clerk-266.8248

                                    Carol Draper, Treasurer

                                    John Fairbanks, Trustee-266.8023

Members absent:        Douglas Mann, Supervisor

                                   

Public Comments-Marilyn Zdebski suggested more garbage bins @ Johnson Rd as it is well used

S. Young-motion to approve October 9, 2012 minutes, J. Fairbanks -seconded; passed

Treasurer’s Report-C. Draper: S. Young-motion to accept the treasurer’s report, J. Fairbanks -seconded; passed

Clerk’s Report-V. Gates: S. Young-motion to approve the bills for October, C. Draper-seconded; passed

                        67% voter turn out for this election with 227 absentee ballots returned

Correspondence-MTA would like the contact info of the board members by Nov 15, 2012

Dignitary Reports:

Fire Dept- Marilyn Zdebski-PLEASE CLEAN YOUR CHIMNEYS

Commissioner-J. Fairbanks-county still working on a new ambulance station

Cemetery-S. Young-meeting short & sweet; V. Gates-motion to purchase 200 new flags for the cemetery, J. Fairbanks seconded; passed

Road Project Committee-S. Young-committee made a recommendation to consider paving Heritage Bay in a number of installments; also looking at Mack Rd, north of 8 Mile Rd; Jackie McKellar is investigating Federal Forest monies to provide “timber bridges” on 11 ½ Mile Rd; V. Gates-motion to direct V. Gates to send letter of support to Road Commission for this 11 ½ Mile Rd project, S. Young seconded; passed (this would ensure multi-agency support for the project thus helping to secure monies from the Federal Forest)

Supervisor-email from D. Mann: “I considered it an honor to be able to serve them (Elk Township) for the fourteen or fifteen months that I was their Supervisor. Truly an honor.”

            -Thanks the old board for placing “service above self” and for taking the steps necessary to regain the trust and confidence of the general public

            -Congratulates the newly elected board members

            -Thanks the election workers for all the hours spent on the election

Trustees comments-S. Young-attended an area Township Association meeting @ Pinora Twp; discussed a new garbage service called Independent Rural Waste Services operating in the area

            -J. Fairbanks-would like to see the marquee changed asap; received a letter from DNR regarding Bluegill lake (obtaining a no motor designation), the letter outlines the appeals process since they turned down the request

Action Items:

J. Fairbanks-motion to direct clerk to purchase an office copy machine, not to exceed $325, S. Young seconded; passed

J. Fairbanks-motion to allow the incoming Treasurer, Brandy Myers, to attend an MTA sponsored class for collecting taxes, including $169 class cost plus mileage & per diem for food, S. Young seconded; passed

Public Comment-Darrell Fenstermacher from Independent Waste Services discussed this new waste management company and informed the board & public that BLUE BAGS are available for $2.50/bag at the Na-tah-ka corner store & Sweetfern (the old Emporium store), they also have 64 gal totes and 96 gal totes for delivery service, their contact info is:

Phone 231.832.4993; cell 231.349.7484; 877.366.3767

            -Lou Fitz would like the board to consider allowing for funds to send a newsletter in the outgoing tax statements including new board contact info & pertinent township info; J. Fairbanks-motion to produce a newsletter to go out in tax statements (with a draft copy going to all board members for approval), V. Gates seconded; passed

            -Jackie McKellar thanked C. Draper for a job well done

            -Judy Bass wanted the board to be aware that cemetery waste (including glass vases & bottles) are ending up being dumped on their property which adjoins the cemetery; J. Fairbanks said he would make a sign

            -Roger Buckingham suggested if we need cemetery flags often, the board consider making it a line item in the budget

S. Young-motion to adjourn, C. Draper-seconded; passed

Respectfully submitted,

Vicki Gates, Clerk

11.14.12

General Election Nov 6, 2012

Township Election Results (unofficial of course):

67% voter turn out
558 voters

SUPER:  LOU FITZ, with 222 votes
CLERK:  VICKI GATES, with 322 votes
TREASURER:  BRANDY MYERS, with 335 votes
TRUSTEES:  JOHN FAIRBANKS, with 392 votes
                     SHARON YOUNG, with 326 votes


FOR COUNTY RESULTS VISIT:

http://www.lakecounty-michigan.com/BulletinBoard.aspx 

Absentee Voter (AV) Ballots

AV Ballots are ready
Clerk's hours are Thurs 9-1
-or-
send a request to:
P.O. BOX 298
IRONS, MI 49644

Stop by for a sample ballot during office hours if you just want to get the heads-up

a web link for...

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ABSENTEE VOTING

Sample ballots are available on line, but like everything the State does, there is a process...here's the link to begin...

good luck...

 

Michigan Voter Information Center 

Meet 'n Greet the twp candidates 2012

ATTENTION ELK TOWNSHIP VOTERS

Meet the Candidates who will be on the November 6^th ballot *

When:   Saturday, October 6, 2012

                         Time:   1:00 p.m.

                      Where:    Elk Township Hall

§  What topics interest you about our township? 

§  Do you have questions you would like to ask potential Board members?

§  Send your questions to…….....buckrj1261@sbcglobal.net

     or mail them to………………...9332 W. 10 Mile Rd. (Irons, 49644)                    

§  Please include your name with your question.

After the question and answer period, candidates and citizens will have the chance mingle and talk one-on-one about topics that might not have been previously covered.

Please join us for this chance to get to know the candidate before you vote! 

We look forward to seeing you there!

* This time with candidates is not a time for debate.  It is a time to hear what a potential

Elk Township Board member thinks about a topic that is meaningful to you.

Question and answer time will be hosted by the out-going supervisor, Douglas Mann.

Census Info and 2012 Official MI General Candidate Listing

Here are a couple links for your enjoyment...
Census figures:   
http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/governments/cb12-161.html

and...

2012 Official 2012 MI General Candidate Listing:  
http://miboecfr.nictusa.com/election/candlist/12GEN/12GEN_CL.HTM 

September Regular Meeting

ELK TOWNSHIP

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

September 11, 2012

Meeting opened with Clerk, Vicki Gates, leading the Pledge of Allegiance

Members present:      Douglas Mann, Supervisor

Vicki Gates, Clerk

                                    Carol Draper, Treasurer

                                    Sharon Young, Trustee

                                    John Fairbanks, Trustee

                                   

Public Comments for future consideration-none

Candidates running for office acknowledged: Bob Hilts, Sheriff; Bill Atkinson, County Road Commission

Johnel Buckingham spoke about an upcoming “Meet ‘n Greet”, for all township candidates on Oct 6^th @ 1pm @ Twp Hall (she is requesting questions from residents to ask the candidates, call 616.328.7879, or 231.729.3253)

J. Fairbanks-motion to approve August 14, 2012 minutes, S. Young-seconded; passed

Treasurer’s Report-C. Draper: S. Young-motion to accept the treasurer’s report, J. Fairbanks seconded; all in favor; Treasurer will have office hours this Friday, Sept 14^th, from 9-5pm as this is the last day to pay property taxes without penalty

Clerk’s Report-V. Gates: J. Fairbanks-motion to approve the bills for August, S. Young-seconded; passed

Correspondence-there will be a county wide recount for road commissioner on Thursday, Sept 13^th, so V. Gates, Clerk, will not be in the office that day; income tax withholding for employees should be adjusted Oct 1, 2012 to 4.25%, and the personal exemption adjusted to $3950 until Dec 31, 2013

METRO-some discussion ensued concerning the METRO Act monies, and it was decided to table this issue for a month so that board members could research where these monies should be accounted

Dignitary Reports:

Fire Dept- Lou Fitz-Ron Rocho is the new assistant Fire Chief

Commissioner-J. Fairbanks-none

Cemetery- S.Young- the new maps need lot #s shown, J. Fairbanks will take care of labeling the map; volunteers are being sought for a spring clean up for next year; the current well at the cemetery is not functioning but considering the weather, S. Young-motion to table the well until spring, D. Mann seconded, roll call vote: S. Young-Yes, J. Fairbanks-Yes, V. Gates-Yes, D. Mann-Yes, C. Draper-No; motion passed; the next cemetery board meeting will be November 5^th  @ Elk

Road Project Committee-S. Young-committee will be doing a drive through areas that have come up for discussion; all roads were brined before Labor Day; committee will meet next Wed, Sept 19^th @ 7pm

Supervisor-public officials retain “Freedom of speech” and may purchase ads personally for anything they choose

Big shout out to Lou Fitz & Jeff Riggs for the stump removal @ the twp hall, S. Young-motion to reimburse Jeff Riggs for gas costs, D. Mann-seconded; passed

Port-A-Pot is meeting a need, and D. Mann suggests renewing their contract for the spring

Front door & back door secure, and D. Mann gave V. Gates, clerk, his keys & memory stick for safekeeping for next Supervisor

Trustees-S. Young-spoke with Jon Bumstead, Representative, concerning Bluegill Lake achieving a “No motors” lake status, J. Bumstead indicated that he had spoken with the DNR and their ruling stands (denied); Lake County & Webber twp are looking for donations for a Family Youth Park located on M-37 north of Baldwin in Webber twp (donations may be sent to: Treasurer, Webber Township, marked “Park Donation”, P.O. Box 939, Baldwin, MI 49304); a hazardous waste collection will be held north of Baldwin on Oct 13^th from 9-12noon; next Township Association Meeting will be Oct 25^th @ 7:30pm @ Pinora Township

Action Items

J. Fairbanks-motion to accept the tax rates for the L-4029 document that goes to the county, V. Gates--seconded; passed (general operating .6667; roads .3994; fire equipment .7991; fire operating .7991)

D. Mann-motion to approve Oct 4, 2012 @ 10am for the public accuracy test for the tabulator used in the election, C. Draper--seconded; passed by Election Commission (Supervisor, Clerk, Treasurer)

S. Young-motion to purchase a 4-drawer fire resistant safe for important documents, V. Gates--seconded; motion & second withdrawn after discussion (it was decided to allow J. Fairbanks to keep the historical documents in a fire resistant safe at his house, but the Supervisor, D. Mann voiced concern that the Elk Twp historical documents should be returned to the twp hall when possible)

J. Fairbanks-motion to allow V. Gates to purchase an outdoor bulletin board, not to exceed $300, S. Young--seconded; passed

S. Young-motion to allow Jim Abbott to build and fix the garbage collection receptacles with reimbursement up to $400, C. Draper--seconded; passed

Old Business

Installation of lighting for the new parking area: discussion, no action

New Business

Wiring inside building, still questioning the safety of the town hall due to the age of the wiring

Public Comment-Johnel Buckingham introduced Lou Fitz & Craig Stapley, both running for Supervisor

Harry Mead mentioned that there are monies available for low income home repairs at the county level

J. Fairbanks -motion to adjourn, V. Gates-seconded; all in favor

Respectfully submitted,

Vicki Gates, Clerk

9.12.12