Ensley Township in Newaygo County MI

Ensley Township Board Meeting

Minutes of February 1, 2005

Supervisor Bergman called the regular meeting of the Ensley Township Board to order at 8:00 P.M.  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, Steve Knox and John VanderMeulen.  There were 12 guests. 

The minutes of January 4, 2005 were approved without objection.  The Budget Workshop minutes of January 17, 2005 were also approved without objection.

Treasurer’s Report

            General                        $266,012.67

            Checking                            3,400.59

            Roads                               88,379.15

            CD#1 General                 30,000.00

            CD#2 Roads                    80,000.00

            Total                            $467,792.41

Receipts #3863-3897 were used totaling $111,002.91

The Treasurer’s Report was approved without objection.

There will be a dog clinic held at the Fire Barn.  There is no date set yet.

Police Report:  Deputy Stabile had 12 complaints, 1 arrest, 1 citation, 11 warnings, 4 property checks, 3 Paper Services, and he was assisted by other patrols 2 times.

Ray Kemmerling reported that the Tahoe that the townships wanted for the Deputy was never ordered by the Sheriff’s office.

Building Inspector:  There were three building permits and five electrical permits sold during the month of January.  There is a new Michigan Energy Code that goes in to effect on February 28, 2005.  New homes will need more insulation.

Zoning Administrator:  Evens sold one zoning compliance.  He will be going to Lansing on February 23, 2005 for hearings.  He would like to be able to go on line with the Registrar of Deeds to do checks.  Motion by Bergman, supported by Harwood to approve Evens go on line to check deeds.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

Planning Commission:  Phil Starr was elected Chairman, Ron Bell was elected co-chair, and Rick Fish is secretary.

Master Plan Committee:  Motion by VanderMeulen, supported by Knox to compensate workers on the Master Plan Committee.  All ayes.  Motion carried.  There was a question if they should go through the Planning Commission or come directly to the Board.   Knox made a motion, supported by Folkema to have the Master Plan Committee come directly to the Township Board.  All ayes.  Motion carried.  The Clerk will send letters notifying the surrounding townships that we are working on the Master Plan.  A letter will also go to the County.

County Commissioner Report:  Dan Powell gave a report of what is going on at the county level and he has a monthly newsletter.

Public Comment:  None 8:55 PM

Unfinished Business

1.      Crandall Cemetery (trees not cut):  Rick Sevey will trim trees either today or tomorrow.

2.      Indemnification Resolution:  The Attorney feels this is unnecessary as the state already has a statute to cover this.  Motion by Bergman, supported by VanderMeulen not to accept the resolution as a recommendation of the attorney.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

3.      Fire Barn Door & Lock:  The lock has a worn clutch.  Bergman will check with Hawkins to find out what he wants.

4.      Recycling Program:  The Master Plan Committee will include questions for the recycling program in their questionnaire.

5.      Road Project:  The Elm estimate was signed.  Cottonwood project has been started with tree clearing.

New Business:

1.      Meeting Dates:  The Board will meet on April 5, May 10, June 7, July 5, August 2, September 6, October 4, November 1, December 6, January 3, February 7, and March 7.  The annual meeting will be March 25, 2006.

Planning Commission dates are:  February 21, March 28, April 25, May 23, June 27, July 25, August 29, September 26, October 24, November 28, there is no meeting in December, and January 30.

2.      Salary Resolution:  Harwood read Resolution 2005-3 for establishing the township officers’ salary.  There was motion by VanderMeulen, supported by Folkema to approve the resolution.  Roll call vote.  All ayes.  Resolution passed.

3.      Rescue Equipment Donation:  There was a motion by Bergman, supported by Harwood to donate $1,000.00 for rescue equipment to the Sand Lake Fire Department.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

4.      Appointment of Election Workers:  Kimi Hackbardt, Mary Hyrns, and Gerry Pratt with Cindy Harwood as an alternate were recommended as election workers for the February 22 election.  Bergman made the motion to approve the election worker recommendation.  Folkema supported this.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

5.      School Election Administration Resolution: Harwood read Resolution 2005-2.  This gives support to the clerk by the Board to administer all elections for 2005-2006.  Roll call vote.  All ayes.  Resolution passed.

6.      Appointment of Englewright Lake Representative:  Two representatives are now needed from the Board.  Bergman would like to be the representative.  Knox made the motion to appoint Bergman to the Englewright Lake Board.  VanderMeulen supported this.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

Bills:  Checks #9565-9593 were used totaling $11,961.75.  There was $10,244.73 from the general fund, and $1,717.02 from the building inspection fund.  Folkema made the motion to pay the bills, supported by Harwood.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

Correspondence:  The contract was received from the auditor.  There was a letter from the attorney regarding E.S.&G.  This will be looked into by Evens.

Public Comment:  Bob Snow noted that two trees need removing at the Baptist Lake Park.  Bergman told him these would be removed when the Crandall Trees are removed.  The Park Committee would also like to have a survey done on the east property line.  Bergman will talk to the owners of the property next to the park to find out if they know where the stakes are located.  If they cannot be found, a survey will be done.

Motion to adjourn at 9:45 PM

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