The regular meeting of the Ensley Township Board was called to order at 8:00 PM by Supervisor Knox.  The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and a Prayer.  Board members present were Steve Knox, Cynthia Harwood, Faye Folkema, Joann VandenBerg, and John VanderMeulen.  There were Steve Boluyt-Building Administrator, Bob Hall-Zoning Administrator and three residents in attendance.

Minutes of Previous Meeting:  The minutes of November 6, 2007 were approved without objection. 

Treasurers Report: 

            General                         $259,900.37

            CD #1 General                  30,000.00

            Checking                            1,583.91

            Roads                             207,584.75

            Total                            $499,069.03

Receipts #44649-4665 were used totaling $36,729.58.   VanderMeulen/Harwood made the motion to accept the treasurer’s report.  All affirmed.  Motion carried. 

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

Zoning Administrator:   Two property owners were given notice that they had issues with the Dangerous Building Ordinance.

Planning Commission Report:   Work was done on the Master Plan and the By-Laws. 

County Commissioner Report:   Mr. Powell was not present.

Public Comment:  8:18 to 8:20 P.M. 

New Business: 

1.       Board Appointments:   There was a motion by Knox/Harwood to re-appoint Phil Starr and Matthew Bonzo.  All affirmed.  There was a motion by Knox/Folkema to re-appoint Bill Greenhoe to the Zoning Board of Appeals.  All affirmed.  There was a motion by Knox/VanderMeulen to appoint Michael Folkema to the Construction Board of Appeals.  All affirmed.  There was a motion by Knox/VandenBerg to appoint Bob Snow to a three year term, John Paton to a two year term, Jim Dunn to a two year term, and Dwight Hull to a one year term on the Park Committee.  Harwood is still the Township Board Representative.  All affirmed.

2.      Election Inspector Appointments:  Harwood made the motion to recommend Sandy Blair, Yvonne Jordan, Mary Hyrns, Joyce Hosmer, Pearl Byers, and Kimi Hackbardt as election inspectors.  Three will work on the January election and the others will be alternates.  This was seconded by Folkema.  All affirmed.

3.      Road Bids:  The contracts for Beech/Butternut to grub and gravel from 112^th to 120^th Streets was presented at a bid of $123,368.00 along with one for 128^th Street from Butternut to Balsam for wedge/overlay for a cost of $23,850.00.  There was a motion by VanderMeulen/VandenBerg to do both project.  All ayes, motion carried.

4.      Dog Clinic:  Croton and Grant Townships were contacted by Knox to find out if they were interested in a cost share to do the dog clinic.  There are two possible dates of February 9 or February 23.  There was a motion by Folkema/VandenBerg to give these two dates as choices for the County to pick from.  All ayes, motion carried.

5.      Cemetery Flags:  Harwood will order 20 dozen flags in January.

6.      Federal Poverty Guidelines:  There was a motion by Knox/Harwood to accept the 2008 Federal Poverty Guidelines.  All ayes, motion carried.

7.      National Incident Management System:  There will be training in January at the City of Newaygo.  Harwood will let the Board know the date and time so we may be certified.

8.      Pioneer Parade Reprinting:  Eloise Norquist is the only one alive from the original Ensley Township Historical Society that wrote the book.  She needs to give her permission to reprint the Pioneer Parade.  Doug Verduin will compose a letter for her to sign so there will be more books for residents to purchase. 

Old Business: 

1.      Township Seal:  There was a motion by Harwood/VanderMeulen to make the Ben Ensley water tower the official seal to use where appropriate, but it is not mandatory.  All ayes, motion carried.  Steve Boluyt commented that the seal on the new township sign could be added for the additional cost of $40.00.  There was a motion by Knox/VanderMeulen to add the seal to the sign.  All ayes, motion carried.

Bills:  Checks #10742-10768 were used totaling $14,498.67.  General Operating Fund was $13,584.71 (Escrow was $675.83 from VanKampen), and $913.96 was from the Building Inspection Fund.  There was a motion by Folkema/VanderMeulen to pay the bills.  All ayes, motion carried.

Correspondence: 

Public Comment:   9:33-9:38 P.M. 

Adjourn: There was a motion to adjourn at 9:39 PM by VandenBerg/VanderMeulen.  All affirmed.

Submitted by,

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