The regular meeting of the Ensley Township Board was called to order at 8:00 PM by Supervisor Starr.  The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and a Prayer.  Board members present were Phillip Starr, Cynthia Harwood, Faye Folkema, Brenda Bird, and John VanderMeulen.  There were eight guests in attendance.

Minutes of Previous Meetings: There was a motion by VanderMeulen/Bird to approve the Minutes of March 3, 2009.  All Affirmed.

Bills:  There was a motion by Folkema/Harwood to pay the bills.  All ayes, motion carried.

Treasurers Report: 

            General                         $338,689.05

CD #1 General                  30,000.00

            Checking                            1,668.54

            Roads                           242,979.13

            Total                           $613,336.72

Receipts #5038-5055 were used totaling $135,199.50.  There was a motion by VanderMeulen/Starr to accept the treasurer’s report.  All affirmed.  Folkema explained that her internet was too slow for updates to be downloaded.  There was a motion by Starr/VanderMeulen to have her computer updated with a limit not to exceed $400 by Verduin.  All affirmed.

Building Inspector:   There was one building permit and one electrical permit.  Boluyt requested to have a password to the main computer. 

Zoning Administrator:   Mr. Hall was at a seminar.

Planning Commission:  Work continues on the Master Plan.  The final draft is being printed.  Alternative energy and outdoor wood burners are being discussed.

Forest Committee:  Pilgrim’s Run donated $150.00 for posts to mark the perimeter of the property.  There are currently three tree stands that need to come down.

Crime Watch:  Our next meeting will be April 21.  The Newaygo County Emergency Response Team will put on the program.

Supervisor’s Report:  The new telephone number for obtaining a burning permit is 616-799-5538.

County Commissioner:  Mr. Scholtens discussed the need for high speed internet.  He introduced Don Noordyke of West Michigan Broadband who spoke about getting wireless internet throughout the county.

Public Comment:  9:02 to 9:05 PM

New Business: 

1.      Pilgrim’s Run:  Jeff O’Malley and Charles Lindberg of Pilgrim’s Run presented to the Board their application for a liquor license.  A public hearing will be held on May 12, 2009.

2.      Park Enforcement Officer:  The Newaygo County Sheriff’s Dept. does not want a contract with the Township for this.  They recommend we hire a person with the right background.  There was a motion by Starr/Harwood to adopt a resolution to create a position of part time Baptist Lake Park Enforcement officer for the summer months of June, July and August, and that we advertise this position with pay to start at our regular per hour rate of $9.46 and not to exceed the budgeted amount of $2,000 in total for the summer.  There was a roll call vote:  Bird-aye, Folkema-no, Harwood-aye, VanderMeulen-no, and Starr-aye.  Resolution adopted.  There was a motion by Starr/Bird to have the supervisor and clerk interview any applicants, with the help of Under Sheriff Brian Boyd, and make a recommendation to the Township Board hopefully before the May meeting or a least before the June meeting.  All Board members are to see the résumés and give their input to Phil Starr.  All ayes, motion carried.     Ordinance No. 09-04 was presented as an amendment to Ordinance No. 03-1.  This amendment pertains to which Township officials, employees, or contractors can issue criminal misdemeanor appearance tickets and/or municipal civil infraction citations/tickets for violations of various Ensley Township ordinances.  There was a motion by Starr, seconded by Folkema to adopt ordinance 09-04.  There was a roll call vote where all voted aye.  Ordinance adopted.

3.      Amend Budget:  Harwood recommended adding $6,100 to the Township Board and deducting that amount from Contingencies, adding $600 to the Board of Review and getting it from the Assessor, adding $700 to the Township Hall and $400 to the Fire Barn and getting those funds from the Township Park.  There was a motion by Folkema, seconded by Starr to amend the budget as recommended by clerk.  A roll call vote was taken and all voted “aye” Resolution passed.

4.      MTA Meetings:  There was a motion by Harwood/Bird to pay education and mileage for Starr to attend an MTA Conference.  All ayes, motion carried.

5.      Crandall Cemetery Driveway:  The Board is to take a look at the drive and discuss ways to improve it at our next meeting.

6.      Road Projects:  The cost share is down to $3,125 per township with the Newaygo County Road commission.  Brine cost is the same as last year.                                       

Unfinished Business:   

1.      Investment Policy:  The Investment Policy was presented by Folkema.  She made the recommendation that we adopt it as presented.  This was seconded by Harwood.  There was a roll call vote where all voted “aye”.    Folkema recommended moving the “Road” account out of Independent Bank and into Choice One.  This was seconded by VanderMeulen.  All voted “aye” on a roll call vote.

Correspondence:  

Public Comment:   10:12 to 10:20 PM.

Adjourn: There was a motion to adjourn at 10:20 PM.

Submitted by,

________________________

Cynthia Harwood, Clerk