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 6th
@ 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 14th,
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 13th,
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 5th @ 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 19th @ 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 13th from 9-12noon; next Township Association
Meeting will be Oct 25th @ 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
