Ensley Township in Newaygo County MI

Ensley Township Board Meeting

Minutes of January 4, 2005

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, Steve Knox and John VanderMeulen.  There were 24 guests.

The minutes from the Regular Meeting of December 7, 2004were approved as corrected without objection.

Treasurer’s Report:

            General            $222,352.11

            Checking                3,398.94

            Roads                   29,625.36

            CD #1 general     30,000.00

            CD#2 roads         80,000.00   

            Total                $365,376.41

Receipts #3838-3862 were used totaling $28,977.37.

CD#2 will mature in July.

The treasurer’s report was approved without objection. 

Police Report:  Officer Stabile had 10 complaints, 11 warnings, 9 property checks 3 traffic accidents 1 paper service and he was assisted by other patrols 1 time.  Gould’s Mini Mart was broken into.  

Building Inspector Report:  There were no building permits and four electrical permits.  Boluyt has had complaints about the plumbing inspector.

Zoning Administrator Report:  There were two zoning compliances and one land split for the month.  There was a judgment issued against Gillespie.  She must pay $100.00 fine and Evens must be allowed on the property to inspect it.

Planning Commission Report:  There was no meeting in December.  There was a motion by VanderMeulen, supported by Harwood to accept the Master Plan Committee:  Tim Bergman, Steve Boluyt, Cindy LaBelle, Ralph Palmer, Barbara VanderMeulen, Doug Verduin and Louise Yowitz.  Alternates are:  Marty Fortuna, Linda Eckelstafer, Tim Atwood and Bill Eckelstafer.  All ayes.  Motion carried.  All are volunteers.

Public Comment:  None 8:23 PM.

Unfinished Business: 

1.      Public Hearing – Church Lot Line:  There was a motion by VanderMeulen, supported by Knox to close the public meeting and go to a public hearing on the Ensley Baptist Church lot line.  All ayes.  Motion carried.  There was discussion on how much land the township would be giving to the church by the parsonage.  It was noted that the minutes for November should indicate that the new line should be 30 feet from the parsonage wall.  There was a motion by VanderMeulen, supported by Folkema to close the public hearing and open the public meeting.  All ayes.  Motion carried.  There was a motion by Knox, supported by Folkema that the new property line be 30 feet from the parsonage and approximately 61 feet from the fire barn.  Roll call vote.  All ayes.  Motion passed.

2.      Englewright Lake SAD:  A letter was sent indicating to them that we need a $2,000 escrow.  There is nothing more being done until money is received.

3.      Crandall Cemetery Trees:  Bill Sevey met with Folkema, Harwood and Joanne VandenBerg at the cemetery.  Mr. Sevey is willing to cut limbs that are hanging over onto the cemetery property line.  There is no liability to the township if he cuts his own trees on township property.  There was a motion by Folkema, supported by VanderMeulen to allow Mr. Sevey time to cut his limbs and clean up within 30 to 45 days before we put the rest out for bids.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

4.      Generator Pad & Building:  There are no prices yet.

5.      Planning Commission Appointment:  The Board received letter of interest from Matt Bongo, Harry Hackbardt, Don Lehnert and Phil Starr.  Mahlon Ellick also expressed interest.  Bergman made a motion to recommend Phil Starr and Matt Bonzo.  Knox supported this.  There was a roll call vote.  All ayes.  Motion carried.  The clerk will send a letter of thanks for the years of service to Hackbardt and Lehnert, and that they would be considered in the future if they so desire.

New Business:

1.      HAVA Resolution:  Bergman made a motion to accept Resolution 2005-1 to submit a grant application for a new optical scan voting system.  Folkema supported this.  Roll call vote.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

2.      Indemnification Resolution:  There is no information yet from the attorney.

3.      Trustee e-mail:  Verduin will set up the trustees with an official e-mail address.

4.      Board of Review Appointments:  Bergman reported that all members agreed to accept another two-year term.  VanderMeulen made a motion to accept the recommendation.  Folkema supported this.  All ayes.  Motion carried.  It was also noted that John Patin was the board representative on the Zoning Board of Appeals.  There was a motion by VanderMeulen, supported by Folkema that Knox replace Patin on the ZBA.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

Bills:  Checks # 9540 to 9564 were used totaling $8,882.31.  There was $7,896.32 from the general fund, which includes $295.40 escrow, and $985.99 from the building inspection fund.  There was a motion by Folkema, supported by Harwood to pay the bills.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

Correspondence:  Recycling is available at Grant Elementary School.  The Fire Dept. has received a new 800-megahertz radio through a grant.

Public Comment:  Knox would like the new road project submitted to the road commission so it could be put on their list.  He spoke with Kelly Smith and they currently have six projects to do.  There was a motion by Bergman, supported by Folkema to do Elm Avenue between 22 Mile Road and 136^th Street.  All ayes.  Motion carried.  Bergman will contact Mr. Smith about this.  Bergman will contact the foreman to do a ride along.  Knox would like to go along.  There was a motion by VanderMeulen, supported by Folkema that when stuff comes from the attorney, it be faxed or e-mailed to the board members.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

Motion to adjourn at 9:45PM.

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