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 Vander Meulen.  There were seven guests in attendance.

Minutes of Previous Meeting:  There was a motion by Vander Meulen/Bird to approve the Minutes of November 11, 2008.  All affirmed.   

Treasurers Report: 

            General                         $259,085.46

CD #1 General                  30,000.00

            Checking                            1,601.95

            Roads                              63,576.13

            Total                            $354,263.54

Receipts #4939-4955 were used totaling $31,880.75.  There was a motion by Harwood/VanderMeulen to accept the treasurer’s report.  All affirmed.  Motion carried. 

Building Inspector:   There was one building permits and there were two electrical permits.

Zoning Administrator:   Mr. Hall is trying to streamline the zoning enforcement process which will include fewer warning letters prior to the issuance of a citation.

Planning Commission Report:  Starr had a year end report ready.  There was a motion by Folkema/Bird to approve the meeting dates and publish them.  All affirmed.  Vander Meulen reported that a graffiti ordinance in not needed.  They are still working on an alternative energy ordinance.

Road Report:  The 128^th Street overlay was completed.

Public Comment:  8:25 to 8:27 PM.

New Business: 

1.      Mowing Bids:  Three bids were received:

Three Pines bid $8,550.00

Phil Butler bid $7,650.00

Heckman & Son bid $9,150.00

Starr made the motion to give the job to Phil Butler contingent on getting the proof of       insurance.  This was supported by Harwood.  All ayes, motion carried.

2.      Board Appointments:  Folkema/Vander Meulen made a motion to accept Starr’s letter of resignation from the Planning Commission.  All affirmed.  Starr recommended Ralph Palmer and Robert Buckowing to be re-appointed and Ross Harwood to replace Starr on the Planning Commission, Fred Folkema, Doug Verduin and Janet Dravk to the Board of Review: Dwight Hull for the Park Advisory Board: David Crow and Brenda Bird (as Township Board Representative) for the Zoning Board of Appeals: and Daniel Fisk, Michael Folkema, Bill Gould Jr., Ray Andrus and Joseph Montambo for the Construction Board of Appeals.  This was a motion by Starr, supported by Harwood.  All ayes, motion carried.

3.      Planning Commission Ordinance:  The Planning Commission needs to be created with a       new ordinance per the Zoning Enabling Act.  Hall and Starr will get a sample ordinance.

4.      Forest Survey:  Vander Meulen will check the cost of a survey so we can budget it for next spring.

Unfinished Business:

1.  Master Plan:  There was a motion by Folkema/Harwood for the Planning Commission to send the draft of the Master Plan to the planner.  All affirmed.

Bills:  Checks #11123-11148 were used totaling $12,229.62.  The General Fund was $11,881.67 and the Building Inspection Fund was $347.95.  There was a motion by Folkema/Bird to pay the bills.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

Correspondence: 

Public Comment:   9:05 PM

Adjourn: There was a motion to adjourn at 9:08 P.M.

Submitted by,

________________________

Cynthia Harwood, Clerk 

                       Ensley Township Disbursements Report

                 Checks dated from 01/06/2009 to 01/06/2009 

Check Date                Payee                                             Check No    Check Amount

============ =========================================

01/06/2009   Frederick Folkema                                     11149          41.87

01/06/2009   James Dunn                                                11150          41.87

01/06/2009   Joel Scott Starr                                          11151           41.87

01/06/2009   Robert A. Hall                                             11152        650.97

01/06/2009   Philip J. Starr                                              11153        667.51

01/06/2009   Faye Folkema                                            11154     1,462.23

01/06/2009   Cynthia Harwood                                      11155     1,180.28

01/06/2009   Brenda Bird                                                 11156       156.24

01/06/2009   John VanderMeulen                                   11157       156.24

01/06/2009   Rosenzweig Appraisal Company, LLC   11158     1,627.50

01/06/2009   Law Weathers & Richardson                   11159     1,312.20

01/06/2009   Office Depot                                                 11160         66.19

01/06/2009   Times Indicator                                           11161         83.00

01/06/2009   WMIS Internet                                             11162       399.50

01/06/2009   Consumers Energy                                     11163       186.04

01/06/2009   Michigan Office Solutions                          11164       111.36

01/06/2009   MTA                                                                11165         97.20

01/06/2009   Wesco                                                           11166        911.65

01/06/2009   Newaygo County Road Commission       11167    20,084.56

01/06/2009   Frey's Landcare & Snowplowing, Inc.     11168         513.50

01/06/2009   Verduin Webs                                               11169         100.00

01/06/2009   AT&T                                                               11170        105.55

01/06/2009   A-Waste                                                         11171          63.00

01/06/2009   Patrick Huffman                                            11172       113.60

01/06/2009   Steven J. Boluyt                                            11173         40.82

                                                                                                                 ========

                                                                                                                  30,214.75

Summary by Fund Distribution

  101 - General Operating Fund                    9,975.77

  204 - Road Fund                                         20,084.56

  213 - Building Inspection Fund                    154.42

                                                                    ---------------

Total Checks                                               30,214.75