Wednesday, September 12, 2012

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 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

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