ELK TOWNSHIP
REGULAR BOARD
MEETING
June 12, 2012
Douglas Mann, supervisor, offered a prayer for guidance
at 7pm
He then called the meeting to order 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
S. Young-motion to approve May 8, 2012 minutes, as
amended J. Fairbanks-seconded; all in favor
Treasurer’s Report-C. Draper (attached): J. Fairbanks-motion
to accept the treasurer’s report, S. Young seconded; all in favor
Clerk’s Report-V. Gates (attached): J. Fairbanks-motion to
approve the bills for May, C. Draper seconded; all in favor
Correspondence
MTA dues will be paid in June as per our budget:
$1,162.69
DNR recommends “Firewise” landscaping techniques to
protect rural homes from wildfire:
30-foot open-space buffer between the home and tree line; remove small
trees, household debris, brush and ground fuels (such as leaves and pine
needles); store firewood away from the house and clear vegetation at least 10
feet away from LP tanks; plant short green grass; prune lower tree limbs to a
height of 6-10 feet
Copy of L-4029 from equalization showing tax rates and
taxable value
Public Act 135, signed by Gov. Rick Snyder, allows
residents to file an affidavit to claim poverty exemption, rather than
requiring federal & state income tax returns
House & Senate completed action on the state general
fund budget and constitutional revenue sharing continues to see growth, PILT
(payment-in-lieu-of-taxes) should be seeing an increase, and state income tax
rate will be reduced from 4.35 to 4.25 on Oct 1st
House bill 4207 banns the uncontrolled burning of
plastic, rubber, foam, chemically treated wood, textiles, electronics,
chemicals, and hazardous materials. Rural residents still can burn yard waste
such as brush & leaves, and household waste such as cardboard and paper
products
Clean Sweep & Household Hazardous Waste Disposal in
Lake, Mecosta & Osceola Counties:
October 13, 2012; S. Young-motion to approve “Agreement for Services”
for $500 (same as last year), J. Fairbanks seconded; all in favor
Dignitary Reports
911-David Sanders, deputy director of 911-spoke of the
911 millage up for renewal on the August 7th primary ballot
Fire Dept- Marilyn Zdebski (attached)-out of 15 calls for
the month, 10 of them were for Elk; fireman’s ball will be held at Skinner Park
Aug. 4th
Commissioner-J. Fairbanks-MSU building sale for the historical
society museum in Baldwin is proceeding; housing committee is looking for
people to help with emergency repairs on their homes as well as ongoing
rehabilitation of homes for low income residents
Cemetery- S.Young- the next cemetery board meeting will
be August 6, 2012 @ Sauble @ 3pm
Assessor-absent, but Supervisor, D. Mann, would like it
known that Bob Englebrecht completed his Masters degree for assessing
Supervisor-D. Mann-thanks to Lou Fitz, Roger Buckingham,
Sharon & Jack Puff, and John Wagner for creating a picnic area at the twp
hall; thanks to Dave Kott & Jim Abbott for the continued maintenance of the
yellow bag receptacles; Summer clean up will be July 21st from
8am-1pm @ Skinner Park (anyone wishing to volunteer to assist in unloading
please contact Vicki Gates, 266-8248); read excerpt from Statute 41.101 of
Michigan Compiled Law which states, “A person who refuses to withdraw from a
public meeting, on being ordered by the moderator to do so, is guilty of a
misdemeanor punishable by a fine not exceeding $50.00.”
Trustees-J. Fairbanks-informed us that the Historical
Society will be having a guest speaker, Robert Griffin (an old-time surveyor
for this area), June 19th @ 7pm @ twp hall
S. Young-reported per the Road Commission that brining
cost 2 ½ cents for the brine, which is all we are charged, and they spot brine
early in the spring (in front of houses), then complete a full brine twice in
the summer
Action Items
Ad Hoc Citizens Advisory Committee for road projects
created with S. Young heading it up
Approval of contracts-S. Young-motion to accept contracts
for janitorial, lawn maintenance @ twp hall grounds, snowplowing services, and
maintaining twp marquee, J. Fairbanks seconded, all in favor
Purchase 30 triple braced, double-hinged, padded chairs
for twp hall-V. Gates made motion to purchase from Jackpine, not to exceed
$1200, J. Fairbanks seconded; all in favor
Installation of new front entrance with keyless entry
locks-C. Draper made motion to accept Homer Grant’s bid for a 36” out-swing
door with two 12” glass panels on either side, for a total of $1905, S. Young
seconded; all in favor
Porta-Pottie for picnic area @ twp hall for $70/month/3
months including cleaning & insurance- V. Gates made motion to contract
out, J. Fairbanks seconded; all in favor
Old Business
Six Mile Sink Hole update-supervisor-per Henry Diemer of
Wilcox Engineering, grants are slim and the next step would be topographical
survey & core samples for $5100; C. Draper made motion to table the Six
Mile project indefinitely, V. Gates seconded; all in favor
Summer Clean Up Trash Day flyer will go out in tax
statements the end of June
Stump removal for more parking is still being completed
by J. Fairbanks, Lou Fitz, and Jeff Riggs; we will look into lighting that area
after completion of work
New Business
D. Mann would like to investigate a new marquee, C.
Draper made motion to approve the investigative work, S. Young seconded; all in
favor
Public Comment-Johnny Gates mentioned that J. Fairbanks
could investigate an historical sign for the twp hall & collaborate with D.
Mann
C. Draper-motion to adjourn, S. Young seconded; all in
favor
Respectfully submitted,
Vicki Gates, Clerk
6.13.12
