Welcome 2013

ELK TOWNSHIP

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

JANUARY 8, 2013

Lou Fitz, Supervisor, called meeting to order with a moment of silence

Pledge of Allegiance, led by L. Fitz

Roll call, all officials present: Lou Fitz, Supervisor-266.5040

Vicki Gates, Clerk-266.8248

Brandy Myers, Treasurer-970.9030

John Fairbanks, Trustee-266.8023

                                                Sharon Young, Trustee-266.8432

J. Fairbanks-motion to approve Dec 11, 2012 minutes, S. Young-seconded; passed 5-0

Board Member Reports:

            L. Fitz, Supervisor-Board of Review Training in Cadillac for $110.50:

J. Fairbanks-motion to pay for training for Supervisor + mileage & meals; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

Board of Review appointments for two years: Don Arquette, Phillip VanVleet, Yvonne Kibbe, and Kay Macdonald as an alternate; Oaths of office given by L. Fitz to Don Arquette & Kay Macdonald

There will be a benefit for Tracy Woolman @ Faith Fellowship Family Center on Sat, Jan 12^th from

4-7pm with an auction, baked goods sale & spaghetti dinner to help with medical costs

            V. Gates, Clerk-Requesting board approval on bills:

S. Young-motion to pay Dec bills, J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0

            B. Myers, Treasurer-Read Treasurer’s report:

J. Fairbanks-motion to accept Treasurer’s report, S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

            S. Young, Trustee-Lake County Township Association meeting will be in Chase on Jan 24^th

Public Comments:

Harry Mead remembered when he retired the interest rate was @ 10% and now it is squat

Dignitary Reports:

Commissioner-J. Fairbanks:  Housing Committee has monies available to assist low income & seniors to improve their homes, Sandy Clark is the administrator of the program which is also looking for more local contractors who will bid on these projects

Fire Dept- Marilyn Zdebski:  Fire Department will be assisting in the benefit for Tracy Woolman

Cemetery-S. Young:  Cemetery meeting @ Sauble on Feb 5^th @ 3pm

Road Committee-S. Young:  won’t meet again until needed

Assessor-Bob Englebrecht:  417 parcels checked (20% of twp); notices of assessment changes will be going out end of Feb; Poverty threshold must be set by Board before March Board of Review; new law will allow taxable valuation to not be uncapped when transferred to immediate blood relation; and the first $40,000 of Commercial/Industrial Personal Property will be exempt from taxes

Old Business:

Floyd Kadwell & Darrell Fenstermacher presented Independent Rural Waste Services Cost Sheets for waste removal in Elk Twp (twp office has more info)

New Business:

Cemetery-L. Fitz:  read a letter informing the Board of a citizen who desires a “Green” burial in Lakeview Cemetery, this is a natural/low impact (biodegradable material) burial which is currently precluded by our Cemetery Rules & Regulations; J. Fairbanks-motion to temporarily suspend need for vaults in the Lakeview Cemetery ordinance in order to provide for green burials, S. Young seconded; passed 5-0 with the understanding that Sauble will be relinquishing fiscal & managerial responsibilities of Lakeview Cemetery & the ordinance needs to be updated

Blight Ordinance-L. Fitz:  provided the Board with sample Blight Ordinances & discussed his conversation with Clifford Bloom, attorney, concerning such ordinances; Board will continue to investigate ordinances for “Junk” & “Dilapidated/Dangerous buildings”

Public Comment:

Independent Rural Waste Services also helps individuals clean up their property

Harry Mead mentioned that any type of blight/junk ordinance will cost the township

S. Young -motion to adjourn, B. Myers-seconded; passed 5-0

Respectfully submitted,

Vicki Gates, Clerk

1.9.13