Ensley Township in Newaygo County MI

Ensley Township Board Meeting

Minutes of  December 2, 2003

Special Meeting of December 22 Click Here

The regular meeting of the Ensley Township Board was called to order at 8:00 P.M. by Supervisor Bergman.  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, John Patin and John VanderMeulen.  There were 47 guests.

The minutes of November 11, 2003 were approved without objection.

Treasurer’s Report:

            General            $210,281.16

            Checking                3,359.06

            Roads                  35,773.26

            CD #1 general      30,000.00 

            Total                $279,413.48

Receipts #3558-3574were used totaling $39,624.09.

The treasurer’s report was approved without objection. 

The County will hold a dog clinic on Saturday, February 7, 2004 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.  They will have Dr. Neuman and will sell dog licenses.

Police Report:  Officer Stabile had fourteen complaints during the month, one arrest, five citations, eighteen warnings, eight property checks, and four traffic accidents.

Building Inspector Report:  There were two building permits and two electrical permits issued.

Zoning Administrator Report:  Evans will be returning $500.00 that was used as a bond on a demolition to insure the mess was cleaned up.  Mr. Dean on 104^th Street will be issued a violation.  There are five more in the township that have more than the allowed number of vehicles.

Planning Commission:  There was a public hearing on Larry Cornel special land use.  It was recommended for board approval.  There was a motion by VanderMeulen, supported by Folkema to approve the special land use.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

Public Comment:  None.

New Business:

1.      Englewright Lake Street Names:  Duane Cruzan, Newaygo County Building Official and Bernie Gerencer of the Emergency Services presented their reasons for wanting to change the name of West Englewright Road and their street numbers.  There was much discussion with the lake residents and their reasons for not wanting the change made.  If the county changes the name, the people may appeal and they may go to circuit court if they are not happy.  There was a motion by Patin, supported by Bergman, to leave things as they are (name and numbering) and support the people of Englewright Lake with a letter to the County Commissioners.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

2.      Newsletter:  There will hopefully be a newsletter out before Christmas.

3.      Zoning Administrator hours:  There was a motion by Folkema, supported by Patin to change the hours for Evens to come in at 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Mondays and Tuesdays and 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Thursdays for the winter, starting in January.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

Old Business:

1.      Tree Bids:  We received seven bids for the removal of the three large trees and the west of the fire barn and one maple east of the town hall.

Arborscape                              $1,675.00

Carl Meelker                              5,600.00

            Decker’s Tree Service                2,650.00

            Big Blue Ox                                3,000.00

            Andy’s Tree Service                   6,280.00

            K & M Tree Removal                3,000.00

            Atwood Tree Service                 1,800.00

There was a motion by Folkema, supported by Harwood to offer the bid to Arborscape for        the removal of the trees.  All ayes.  Motion carried.  Mahlon Ellick claimed that he owned the property where the tree is on the east of the town hall.  The Board just had the township property surveyed.  Bergman offered twelve feet of land so that he would own what he thought he did.  The board agreed to look into deeding twelve feet of land to Ellick.

2.      Roads.  The people of Austrian Drive turned in a petition to have their drive paved.  Bergman told then it would be a couple years.  He is getting estimates from the county for five miles of reseal, and wedging and rebuilding of Cottonwood from 120^th Street to 128^th Street for 2004 road projects. 

3.      Snow Plow Contract:  Larry Cornet accepted the contract as presented.

4.      December Board of Review:  December 9, 2003 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM for clerical error and mutual mistake of fact.

Bills:  Checks #9111-9135 were used totaling $9,310.10.  General Operating Fund $7,655.68 and Building Inspection Fund $1,654.42.  Motion to pay bills by Folkema, supported by VanderMeulen.  All ayes, motion carried.

Correspondence:  Folkema expressed a desire to attend a seminal at Muskegon Community College.

Public Comment:  The meeting date for the Budget Workshop is January 19, 1004 at 6:00 PM.

Motion to adjourn at 10:05PM by Folkema, supported by Patin.

Respectfully submitted by,

Cynthia Harwood, Clerk

________________________

Richard Bergman, Supervisor

Special Meeting of December 22, 2003

Supervisor Bergman called the special meeting of the Ensley Township Board to order at 1:00pm. Board members present were Richard Bergman, Cynthia Harwood, Faye Folkema, John Patin, and John VanderMeulen. Zoning Administator Max Evens was also present.

There was a motion by Vandermeulen , supported by Folkema to go into closed session. All ayes. Motion carried.

Flokema excluded herself per the recommendation of the township attorney.

Everyone had previously received copies of the letter by Attorney CLiff Bloom. There was discussion about the proposal by ES&G for settlement. There was a motion by VanderMeulen to not accept the offer proposed by ES&G. Harwood supported this. Roll call vote. Patin, VanderMeulen, Harwood, and Bergman all voted aye. Motion was carried.

There was further discussion about Mr. Bloom's recommendation, specifically the amount of reimbursement for attorney fees. There was motion by Patin, suppoerted by VBanderMeulen to follow the attorney's recommendation and ask for 75% of attorney fees. Roll call vote. VanderMeulen, Harwood, Patin, and Berman all voted aye. Motion was passed.

Motion to close - closed session by VanderMeulen , supported my Harwood. Four ayes. Motion carried.

There was a motion to adjourn the meetion at 1:34pm by Harwood, supported by VanderMeulen. All ayes.

Respectfully submitted by,

Cynthia Harwood, Clerk

Supervisor

Richard Bergman

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