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 Prayer.  Board members present were Richard Bergman, Cynthia Harwood, Faye Folkema, Steve Knox, and John VanderMeulen.  There were 10 guests.

Minutes of Previous Meeting:  The minutes of November 1, 2005 were approved without objection.

Treasurers Report:

            General                         $225,400.21

            Checking                            5,168.08

            Roads                              16,942.58

            CD#1 general                   30,000.00

            Total                             $377,510.87

There was a motion by Bergman/Folkema to put the remaining money in the road fund after the paving bill for Cottonwood is paid, in a six month CD.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

Police Report:  Deputy Delia was not in attendance.

Building Inspector:  There were three building permits and five electrical permits. 

Zoning Administrator:  There was one zoning compliance.  Verduin gave a report on the area violations.  Among them was the modular on Warrens Way.  The owner and contractor agreed to sign an agreement that would give them three weeks to come into compliance with the zoning ordinance.  They would agree to pay for all attorney fees concerning this matter.  If this matter is not completed, they will be subject to a court order.  If the parties to not agree to these terms, our attorney will begin proceedings.  

Folkema thanked Verduin for the written report and e-mail updates.

Planning Commission:  A public informational meeting was held for the Roosien Condo Project.  The Planning Commission voted 4 to 3 to approve the project.

County Commissioner Report:  The County is still planning on changing the street name at Englewright Lake.  

Public Comment:  8:45 PM

Unfinished Business: 

1.       Commission Appointments:  Bergman/VanderMeulen made a motion to recommended Louise Yowtz and Ralph Palmer for the Planning Commission.  All ayes.  Motion carried.  Yowtz will also serve as the Planning Commission representative for the Zoning Board of Appeals.  There was a motion by Bergman/Knox to reappoint David Crowe to serve on the Zoning Board of Appeals.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

2.       Tire Update:  Montcalm and Kent Counties have the same problem to tires being dumped.  The Sheriff Department and Harry Johnson have been working on the problem.

3.       Road Commission Meeting:  The Township can to at 2:20 PM on the 7^th of December.  There is also a task force meeting on January 5, 2006 at 9:00 AM.

4.       MTA Convention:  Bergman, Harwood, Folkema, and VanderMeulen made reservations to go.

New Business:

1.       Temporary Occupancy Permit:  There was discussion as to when such as escrow would be used and how much the escrow should be.  There was a motion by Bergman/Folkema to have the temporary occupancy permit escrow be $1,000 when there is special needs or hardship.  Bergman withdrew this motion and the support was also withdrawn.  There was also discussion about having an escrow for a parcel that has a dwelling on it and the owners build a second dwelling.  The escrow would be used if the owners did not remove the first dwelling.  These items will be discussed next month.

2.       Amend Budget:  There was a motion by Harwood/Folkema to add $13,060.00 to Public Safety and take $3,060 from the Township Hall and $10,000.00 from Contingencies.  There was a roll call vote.  Everyone voted aye.  Motion carried.

3.      Master Plan Survey:  There was much discussion about the survey and the property on the corner of Cypress and 120^th Street.  There was a motion to do a title search on the corner property and spend up to $300.00.  Knox/Harwood made this motion.  All ayes.  Motion carried.   There was a motion by VanderMeulen/Harwood to change 1. A&B, deleting the word detached, adding 4. F. To say “I believe Ensley Township should allow commercial business in a residential area.” remove the part about civil infractions and change page 3 to say that the Nature Preserve was donated by Tri County Schools.  All ayes.  Motion carried.  The Clerk is to make the changes and get copies to the Board members, Planning Commission members, Zoning Administrator and Langworthy.  Clerk will also ask LSL about distribution numbering.

4.       Warrens Way – Overhang:  This was discussed with the Zoning Administrator report.

5.       Clerk’s Software:  Our current program is being discontinued.  Harwood would like to get a new program running by the first of January.  Folkema/Knox made a motion to purchase QuickBooks software and use Oosting, Burt & Oosting for support.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

6.       Title Search for 120^th & Cypress Property:  This was discussed with the Master Plan Survey.

7.       Assessor’s Requirements:  Bergman and Evens presented a list of requirements.  This will be discussed next month after the Board has had time to review.

Bills:  Checks #9917-9946 were used totaling $1,294.73.  General Operating Fund was $10,10.30 ($842.47 was from Roosien’s escrow) and Building Inspection Fund was $1,184.43.  There was a motion by Folkema, supported by VanderMeulen to pay the bills.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

Correspondence:   Knox/Folkema made a motion to have a dog clinic.  All ayes.  Motion carried.  The County will have three staff members and a veterinarian. 

Public Comment:  10:55 to 10:58 PM.

Adjourn:  There was a motion to adjourn at 10:58 PM.

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