The regular meeting of the Ensley Township Board was called to order by Supervisor Bergman at 8:00 PM.  The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag and a prayer.  Board members present were Richard Bergman, Cynthia Harwood, Faye Folkema, Steve Knox, and John VanderMeulen.  There were 10 guests present.

The Minutes of March 1, 2005 were approved without objection.

Treasurer’s Report:

            General                       $299,691.24

            Checking                            3,402.43

            Roads                             126,168.08

            CD#1 General                 30,000.00

            CD#2 Roads                    80,000.00

            Total                            $539,261.75

Receipts #3929-3948 were used totaling $76,399.36.

The Treasurer’s report was approved without objection.

Police Report:  Deputy Stabile was not in attendance.

Building Inspector:  There were two building permits and three electrical permits sold this month.   The new energy code has been put on hold.

Zoning Administrator:  Evens requested a change in his hours on Thursdays.  He would like them changed to 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM.  This is the same number of hours as before.  There was a motion by Bergman, supported by Folkema to allow Evens hours to change.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

Planning Commission:  Since it has come to the attention of the township board at the Planning Commission on February 21, 2005, that zoning ordinance Section 3.25 No. 10 has been incorrectly enforced, the township board as of March 1, 2005 resolves that ordinance Section 3.25 No. 10 will be enforced as the ordinance states. This resolution was offered by VanderMeulen and supported by Folkema.  A roll call vote was taken and all affirmed.

Master Plan Committee:  They are working on the questionnaire.

County Commissioner Report:  Commissioner Powell was not in attendance.

Public Comment:  8:22PM

Unfinished Business

1.       SAD – Paving:  The attorney has again confirmed that the township needs an escrow and reimbursement of the attorney expense before we are to proceed with the Englewright Lake Special Assessment District.  Mike Ronan would like to have a meeting with the board, engineer and their S.A.D. board.  He stated that the $2,000.00 would be paid before this meeting.  Bergman will attend.  There was a motion be Bergman, supported by Knox to have the township pay for the attorney to come to next month’s meeting to educate us on how to proceed on this.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

2.       Amend Budget:  Harwood recommended putting $1,200 into the Building Inspection from the fund balance.  $175.00 needs to be added to Elections from the Board of Review and $550.00 needs to be added to the Fire Barn from the Cemetery.  There was a motion by Knox, supported by Folkema to amend the budget.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

3.       Tree Bids:  There were two bids received.  Frey’s Landcare and Snowplowing had a bid of $1,364.00.  Blue Ox Tree Service had a bid of $1,425.00.  There was a motion by Folkema, supported by VanderMeulen to have Blue Ox Tree Service cut the trees.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

New Business

1.      Appointment of Election Workers:  Kimi Hackbardt, Yvonne Jordan, Gerry Pratt, and Cindy Harwood were recommended by Harwood to work on the election and have Mary Hyrns as an alternate.  There was a motion by Bergman, supported by Folkema to approve election workers.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

2.      Park Attendant:  There was a motion by Harwood, supported by VanderMeulen to advertise for a park attendant at Baptist Lake Township Park.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

3.      Special Zoning Meeting:  Phil Starr, Matt Bonzo, and Richard Bergman attended a meeting from the MSU Extension about conservation of land for housing developments.  He would like the Master Plan Committee, Planning Commission and the Board listen to this presentation in June or July.  The Master Plan Committee will discuss this at their next meeting and the board will make a decision next month.

4.      Casair Tower:  There was a suggestion to have a tower put up for internet service and broadcast out to others.  The cost will be checked on by Verduin to report on next month.  The township would pay for the tower and installation and receive free internet in return.  Bergman made a motion to consider putting a tower up and getting quotes from Casair for wireless internet.  He withdrew his motion.

 Bills:  Checks 9627-9672 were used totaling $103,705.24.  There was $47,203.30 from the general fund, $54,700.00 from the road fund, and $1,801.94 from the building inspection fund.  There was a motion by Folkema, supported by VanderMeulen to pay the bills.  All affirmed.  Motion carried.

Correspondence:  Newaygo County Township Officers Association meets tomorrow at 7:00 PM.  Holly Moon is the speaker.

Public Comment:  9:44 PM. There was a motion by Knox, supported by VanderMeulen to accept the information on the internet tower.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

Adjourn:  Motion to adjourn at 9:50PM by VanderMeulen, supported by Folkema.  All affirmed.