Supervisor Bergman called the regular meeting of the Ensley Township Board to order 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 thirteen guests.

Minutes of Previous Meeting:  The minutes of March 7, 2006 were approved without objection.  The minutes of the special meeting of March 20, 2006 were approved without objection.  The special meeting of March 30, 2006 was also approved without objection with the correction of the date.

Treasurers Report: 

            General                         $294,718.17

            CD #1 General                  30,000.00

            Checking                           5,253.33

            Roads                           162,137.66

            CD #1 Roads                    45,000.00

            TOTAL                          $537,109.16

Receipts #4204-4218 were used totaling $81,878.02.  The treasurer’s Report was approved without objection.  There was a motion by Folkema/Harwood to give Verduin the quote from the County to see what he can get a new computer for with same things.  If his quote is less than the county, he can go ahead and get it.

Police Report:  The new Township deputy is Brad Wade.  There were twelve complaints, one citation, one warning, and eight property checks for the month of March.

Building Inspector:  Boluyt had five building permit and four electrical permits. 

Planning Commission:  VanderMeulen/Harwood made a motion that the clerk send a letter to the Kent County Road Commission recommending that they erect a guardrail at the end of Algoma at 22 Mile Road.  They are reviewing the dog kennels, home width, and fence definition.  They are also still working on site condo with the planner and reviewing the demolition; dangerous building ordinance.

Zoning Administrator:  Bob Hall is at the hall on Tuesday and Friday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and Thursday from 12:00 to 6:00 PM.  He had five zoning compliances and two land divisions for the month.

County Commissioner Report:  Powell reported that the audit went smoothly and they ended the year with excess funds.  He also gave a brief update on other matters.

Public Comment:  8:30 None

Unfinished Business: 

1.      Public Safety Millage:  The county clerk’s office recommended that we send the wording to our attorney.  There was a motion by Folkema/VanderMeulen to have the clerk send the wording to the attorney for his approval.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

2.      Resolution for Law Enforcement Services: It was requested by the county administrator’s office that we have a resolution stating we will continue contracting with the county for the additional officer from May 1, 2006 to April 30, 2007.  Bergman/Harwood offered this resolution.  There was a roll call vote.  All voted aye.  Resolution was declared adopted.

New Business

1.      Election Inspector Appointments:  Harwood would like to have Yvonne Jordan, Kimberly Hackbardt, and Sandra Blair work as election inspectors for the May 2 election.  Mary Hyrns will be an alternate election inspector.    Folkema/VanderMeulen moved to approve the appointments.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

2.      Park Bids:  Five bids were received:

RCW                                         $925.00

Jeanette VandereHaag                $875.00

Brianna Ebenstein                       $875.00

Nate Jordan                               $925.00

Patricia Bergman                        $950.00

There was a motion to award the bid to Jeannette VanderHaag by Knox/Folkema.  All                ayes.  Motion carried.

3.  Amend Budget:  The clerk made recommendations to take $600 from Township Board                                 and add it to the assessor, take $1,025 from the Township Hall and add it to the Planning Commission, take another $2,000 from the Township Hall and add it to the cemetery, take $250 from roads and add it to the ZBA, and take $500 from Other and add it to Ins., Bonds & Employment Taxes.  There was a motion by Folkema/VanderMeulen to amend the budget as the clerk read.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

4.  Copy Machine Replacement:  Mike Roth from Albin will have a price quote for replacing      our current machine.

5.  Newaygo County Prescription Discount Program:  There was a motion by Knox/VanderMeulen to have the clerk sign the agreement and take care of the cards for the township residents.  All Ayes.  Motion carried

6.  Resolution Retaining Local Control of Cable Franchising:  MTA recommended that local townships adopt this resolution, which promotes competition in broadband and cable service for everyone.  Bergman/Folkema offered this resolution.  There was a roll call vote where all voted aye.  Resolution was adopted.

7.  Tree Damage:  A tree fell during the ice storm at Baptist Lake Park and damaged three picnic tables.  Harwood filed a claim with the insurance company and the park committee cleaned up the tree.  A large tree also fell at Crandall Cemetery from the Sevey property that landed on the fence.  Mr. Sevey cleaned up the tree and fixed the fence.  The sexton will put soil in the holes that the tree made.  Harwood will send a thank you note to Mr. Sevey.

Bills:  Checks #10035-10069 were used totaling $77,461.13.  General Operating Fund was $53,030.42 (Escrow was $1,628.63 with $1.20 from Brass Mar, $90.00 reimbursement to the Building Inspection Fund from Brass Mar and $1,537.43 from Roosien), Road Fund $22,800.00 and $1,630.71 from the Building Inspection Fund.  There was a motion by Folkema/Knox to pay the bills.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

Correspondence:  There are several items that need repair at the fire barn.  A wire was pulled out of a box so that now the safety does not work on one of the overhead doors; a galvanized pipe needs to be replaced in the furnace room, and the chimney leaks.  Steve Boluyt will check the leak to see if caulk can fix it.

Holly Moon will speak at the Newaygo County Officers Assn. 

Public comment:  9:12 to 9:22

The Newaygo County Road Commission is having a meeting with the townships on May 10 at 2:20 PM.

Spring Clean-Up Days are on April 14 and April 15 from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM.    

Fremont Area Foundation funded MSU build-out study of Ensley Township available from Phil Starr

The quiet deed on land is still not completed.

Verduin commented that the assessor needs a new computer.

Clerk will advertise for a volunteer position for the Grant library board.

Adjourn: There was a motion by VanderMeulen/Knox to adjourn at 9:22 PM.  All ayes

Submitted by,

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Cynthia Harwood, Clerk

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