Ensley Township in Newaygo County MI

Ensley Township Board Meeting

Minutes of  March 2, 2004

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, John Patin and John VanderMeulen.  There were 11 guests.

The minutes from the Special Meeting of February 17, 2004 were approved without objection.  The minutes from the Regular Meeting of February 3, 2004 were also approved without objection.

Treasurer’s Report:

            General            $236,403.83

            Checking                3,371.02

            Roads                  82,136.14

            CD #1 general     30,000.00   

            Total                $351,910.99

Receipts #3633-3663 were used totaling $26,005.56.

The treasurer’s report was approved without objection. 

Police Report:  Officer Stabile had 11 complaints (breaking and entering at a residence, threats, paintball MDOP, suspicious vehicle, numerous vehicles in the ditch, and a civil standby), 3 citations, 7 warnings, and 5 property checks for the month.  There were no major incidents.  

Building Inspector Report:  There were three building permits and two electrical permits.  There is an unlicensed electrician doing quite a bit of work in the area.

Zoning Administrator Report:  There were three zoning compliances for the month.  There was a stop work order given out last month, the people are continuing to do work.  Boluyt will check to see what other townships do when this happens.  Lyle Vincent’s boys are cleaning up his place.

Planning Commission Report:  Cindy LaBelle resigned.  A letter will be sent by the clerk to thank her for her service.

Public Comment:  Bob Harkins, Fire Chief, explained how expenses have gone up.  He told how Nelson Township put on a .5 mil levy.  They have tried to get grants for the last three years, but have not been successful.

New Business: 

1.      Halliday Sand & Gravel:  They are requesting a one (1) year extension on the McMichael Pit.  There was a motion by Patin, supported by Folkema to allow the extension.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

2.      Planning Commission-New Appointment:  Evens felt that someone who shows interest and has been attending the meetings would be a good choice.  Bergman wanted to use the list from the last time an appointment was made.  There was a motion by Bergman to follow the list and appoint Tim Bergman.  VanderMeulen supported this.  Two ayes (Bergman and VanderMeulen) and three Nays (Patin, Folkema and Harwood.)  Motion failed.  There was a motion by Bergman, supported by Folkema to bring this up at next months meeting.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

3.      Clerk Software:  There was a motion by Folkema, supported by VanderMeulen to have Harwood work with Verduin to use discretion to get the best deal with purchasing the software.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

4.      Road Projects:  We should hear from the Road Commission by March 15 as to how much the road commission will help pay for the approved projects.  Kelly Smith will be here for the annual meeting.

5.      Newsletter:  The newsletter should be out before the annual meeting. 

6.      Wild & Vicious Animal Ordinance:  This will be put on next month’s agenda for further discussion so the board members have time to read it over.

Old Business:

1.      Forest Project:  VanderMeulen and Lehnert will set up a meeting when the weather is a little better.

2.      Ensley Sand & Gravel Settlement Agreement:  The settlement agreement has been signed.  They will fully reclaim all mined and disturbed portions, all concrete shall be fully removed, all nonconforming usage rights are forever extinguished, all mining equipment, trucks, vehicles and mining-related structures and item are to be permanently removed from the property.  The existing two buildings are excluded from the reclamation.  They are to pay the sum of $18,500 and $800 within 45 days.

3.      Boat Ramp Closing:  There is no new information yet.  The park Committee chose to close the boat ramp during the winter months because of the trash problem.

4.      Escrow Account:  Folkema must close the current savings account and re-open a non-interest bearing savings account.  Then the interest can be figured out and the account can be cleaned up.

5.      Property Line:  The church has not made an official request for property between the fire barn and the parsonage.  Bergman is to get more information from the church.

6.      J & S Cleanup Days:  There was a motion by Harwood, supported by Patin to continue with cleanup days at least for this year.  All ayes.  Motion carried.  This will be advertised in the River Valley, the newsletter, and web site. Boluyt will find out if a place called “Knight” does this type of cleanup so we can get bids next year.

Bills:  Checks # 9190-9225 were used totaling $27,898.51.  There was $27,145.61 from the general fund and $752.90 from the building inspection fund.  There was a motion by Folkema, supported by VanderMeulen to pay the bills.

Correspondence:  The Road Commission has a 20-minute meeting scheduled on March 23, 2004 at 2:00 PM for any board member to discuss the roads.  We received information from the Fremont Foundation about getting someone 16-21 years old to do summer work.  There was a motion by Harwood, supported by Folkema to try to get a summer intern to do computer work for Evans.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

Public Comment:  Rosie Patin commented that an article about the election and petitions should be put in the Newsletter.

Motion to adjourn at 10:15 PM by Patin, supported by VanderMeulen.

Respectfully submitted by,

Cynthia Harwood, Clerk

________________________

Richard Bergman, Supervisor

Copyright 2011 - Ensley Township - All Rights Reserved