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 thirteen residents in attendance.

Minutes of Previous Meeting:  The minutes of December 4, 2007 were approved without objection. 

Treasurers Report: 

            General                         $255,983.81

            CD #1 General                  30,000.00

            Checking                            1,584.77

            Roads                             233,162.93

            Total                            $520,731.51

Receipts #4666-4692 were used totaling $38,185.32.   Harwood /VanderMeulen made the motion to accept the treasurer’s report.  All affirmed.  Motion carried. 

Building Inspector:   There were zero building permits and two electrical permits for the month of December.  For the year of 2007, building permits were down 11% and electrical permits were 28% lower.

Zoning Administrator:  Two Dangerous Building Ordinance violations have been addressed with one building already demolished and the other in the process of becoming compliant.

County Commissioner Report:   Mr. Powell was not present.

Planning Commission Annual Report:   A report was presented by Phil Starr, Chairman of the Planning Commission telling us what was accomplished in the past year.

Public Comment:  8:14 to 8:18 P.M. 

New Business: 

1.       Newsletter:  Folkema/VanderMeulen made the motion to prepare a newsletter shortly so we can advertise the dog clinic in it.  All ayes, motion carried.

2.      Township Clean-Up Day:  This will be held on April 4 & 5, 2008 from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM.

3.      Budget Workshop Date:  Monday, January 21, 2008 at 1:00 PM

4.      Fire Barn Generator:  Ark’s Electric had an estimate of $930.00 to supply & install a new 100 AMP manual transfer switch and related equipment.  No action was taken.

5.      PA 116-Gary Butler:  There was a motion to approve PA 116 contract by Folkema/VanderMeulen.  All ayes, motion carried.

6.      Crandall Cemetery Damage:  Logging operations caused some damage to the fence, road, etc., at the north end of the cemetery.  It should be completely repaired in the spring.

Old Business:

1.      Road Bid:  A bid was received to pave, with valley gutter, 128^th Street from Butternut west 350 feet.  The Township’s share would be $12,000.  There was a motion by VanderMeulen/Knox to do this project.  All ayes, motion carried.

Goeff Hansen introduced himself as our State Representative.

2.      Dog Clinic:  The date has been set for Saturday, February 9, 2008 from 10AM to 12PM.  The cost will be the same as last year.

3.      NIMS Training:  The Board will go to Ashland Township on Thursday, January 17, 2008 at 1:00 PM to become certified. 

Bills:  Checks #10769-10797 were used totaling $244,693.37.  General Operating Fund was $14,190.84 Road Fund was $230,218.45 and $284.08 was from the Building Inspection Fund.  There was a motion by Folkema/VandenBerg to pay the bills.  All ayes, motion carried.  There was a motion by Folkema/VanderMeulen to transfer $8,000.00 from the General Fund to the Road Fund.  All ayes, motion carried.

Correspondence:   Knox received paperwork on the park enforcement officer.  There was a motion by Knox/Harwood to have a committee of Folkema, Harwood and Knox to put together a job description.  All ayes, motion carried. 

Public Comment:   9:08-9:21 P.M.  Doug Verduin did received written permission from Eloise Norquist to reprint the Pioneer Parade and he was put on the historical society.

Adjourn: There was a motion to adjourn at 9:22 PM by VanderMeulen /VandenBerg.  All affirmed.

Submitted by,

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Cynthia Harwood, Clerk