The regular meeting of the Ensley Township Board was called to order at 7:30 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 four guests in attendance.

Minutes of Previous Meetings: There was a motion by Bird/VanderMeulen to approve the Minutes of March 2, 2010.  All Affirmed.

Bills:  Checks #11572-11604 were used totaling $56,717.04.  The General Fund was $56,210.49, and the Building Inspection Fund was $506.55.  There was a motion by Bird/Folkema to pay the bills.  All affirmed. 

Treasurers Report: 

            General

                        Fifth Third Bank              $150,000.00

                        Independent Bank           223,690.00

CD #1 General                    30,000.00

            Common Checking                            1,227.48

            Roads                                           219,869.09

            Total                                           $624,787.23

Receipts #5339-5353 were used totaling $64,103.17.  There was a motion by Harwood/Bird to accept the treasurer’s report.  All affirmed.   

County Commissioner:  Mr. Scholtens was not in attendance.

Zoning Administrator:  Mr. Hall had four zoning permit issued in March.

Planning Commission:  There was a motion by VanderMeulen to pay for Matt Bonzo and anyone else to attend the Michigan Citizen Planner Series and pay for mileage.  This was seconded by Phil Starr.  All affirmed.

Building Inspector:  Mr. Boluyt had two building and one electrical permit issued.

Park Committee:   Park Committee met and discussed the erosion problem.  There was a motion by Starr to approve applying for a grant for tables, waste receptacles and erosion control for both the park and nature preserve.  This was supported by Harwood.   All ayes, motion approved.

Forest Committee:  The street signs are up. A wood split rail fence was donated by Alvin Smelik and the VFW donated a flag and pole. There was a motion by Bird/Harwood to accept the fence and flag and pole.  All ayes, motion carried.  Starr will get the fence permit.  There was a motion by Starr, seconded by Folkema to delegate authority to Brenda Bird to sell and accept money and to give a receipt and use a transmittal to give money to Folkema.  All affirmed.  Robinson will donate a porta-john for Arbor Day.  Starr/Bird moved to use $300 to hire Jim Hawkins to do dozer work of spreading gravel and removing stumps and $900 for gravel from Barber Creek. There was much discussion.  Bird amended previous motion to take the budgeted $1,200 and use it for gravel.  This was supported by VanderMeulen.  Four ayes and one nay (Folkema).  There was a motion by Bird, seconded by VanderMeulen to approve Jim Hawkins to do dozer work of spreading and leveling of gravel.  All affirmed.  Bird/VanderMeulen moved to allow Jerry Roberts to donate the use of his portable sign for Arbor Day and also put up a smaller sign.  All approved.

Public Comment:  8:34 to 8:43. 

Unfinished Business:

1.      Road Projects:   A list of projects was given out:  wedge & reseal 22 Mile Road Cypress to Elm, Reseal 112^th from Locust to Township line, reseal Butternut from 136^th to 128^th, Brine gravel roads two times, and minor repair and gravel 136^th from Cypress to Butternut.  There was a motion by Starr to do the five projects as outlined.  This was seconded by VanderMeulen.  All affirmed.

2.      Cemetery Ordinance:  New ordinance was discussed and there was some discussion of grave blankets in section 12 (a).  Grave blankets was removed and flower plantings was inserted to read, “Flower post, urns and flower plantings may be placed and maintained at the head stones of graves no earlier than May q and must be removed no later than October 1 of each year.”  Also, “Grave blankets shall be allowed November 1 to April 1” was added.  The ordinance was offered for adoption by Starr and seconded by VanderMeulen.  A roll call vote was taken and all voted “aye.”  The soldier at Crandall Cemetery was discussed.  There was a motion by VanderMeulen to have the sexton remove it.  This was supported by Harwood.  There were four yeas and one nay (Bird).  Motion carried.

3.      Pension Fund:  There was a motion by VanderMeulen, seconded by Harwood to continue with the pension plan.  All affirmed.

4.      Building and Site Fund:  There was a motion by Starr to put $330,000 toward the town hall.  This would be $300,000 from fund balance and the budgeted $30,000.  Motion died.  There was discussion and the Board needs a report from the Building & Site Committee.

5.      Options for Building Site:  The Board would like the committee to make a report before a decision is made.

New Business:

1.      Nature Preserve Shelter:   This may not be a permitted use per our zoning ordinance.  There was a motion by Bird, seconded by Starr to pursue a permit for a pavilion at the Nature Preserve.  Four ayes, one nay (Folkema.)

2.      Baptist Lake Park Attendant Bids:  Five bids were received: 

Patricia Bergman            $850.00

Walt Jones                     820.00

Tony Dorey                    850.00

Jeanette VanderHaag      875.00

Sara Ransom                 825.00

There was a motion by Harwood/VanderMeulen to give the bid to Walt Jones for $820.00.      All ayes.  Motion carried.

Supervisor’s Report:   Noted.

Correspondence:   Noted.

Public Comment:  10:12 to 10:36 pm.  Folkema commented that she is not against the picnic pavilion – provided it is allowed under the ordinance.

Adjourn: There was a motion to adjourn by VanderMeulen/Harwood.  All affirmed.

Submitted by,

________________________

Cynthia Harwood, Clerk