Ensley Township in Newaygo County MI

Ensley Township Board Meeting

Minutes of March 1, 2005

The regular meeting of the Ensley Township Board was called to order by Supervisor Bergman at 8:00PM.  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 10 guests present.

The minutes of February were approved without objection.

Treasurers Report: 

            General                        $268,494.37

            Checking                            3,400.59

            Roads                            126,971.03

            CD#1 General                 30,000.00

            CD#2 Roads                    80,000.00

            Total                            $508,865.99

Receipts #3898-3928 were used totaling $53,035.33

The Treasurer’s Report was approved without objection.

There were 112 dog licenses sold at the dog clinic.

Police Report:  Deputy Stabile had 4 complaints, 2 citations, 5 warnings, 7 property checks, and 1 paper service. 

Building Inspector:  Boluyt issued 7 building permits and 3 electrical permits.

Zoning Administrator:  Evens reported that Section 3.25A.10 (pertaining to the pitch of the main roof of a dwelling being three feet of rise for 12 feet of horizontal run and shall not have less that a twelve inch overhang) will be enforced on mobile homes as of today.

Planning Commission:  VanderMeulen made a motion, supported by Knox, to have the board recommend to the Planning Commission to withdraw their motion to have a public hearing on Section 3.25A.2. and have the Master Plan Committee go ahead with this on their survey.  All ayes.  Motion carried.  They discussed the roof slopes of mobile homes also.

Master Plan Committee:  Things are moving along nicely.  There was a request from a guest that trees be planted on the new boundaries of Crandall Cemetery.  This needs to be okayed with the sexton.

County Commissioner:  The offer made to the first choice (Scott Patton) for County Administrator was rejected.  The second choice (Toby Lake) was also rejected.  The County will hire a professional firm to begin the screening process.

Public Comment:  8:30 PM

Unfinished Business

1.      Crandall Cemetery

a.       Trees:  There was a motion by VanderMeulen, supported by Folkema to trim everything lower than eight feet and have the two trees removed from the cemetery and two trees from the Township Park.  This includes trimming the trees above the drives up to twelve feet. All ayes.  Motion Carried.

b.      Well:  Estimate on the well to repair with a new hand pump and repair the rods is $835.00.  New well laws cause a new well to be very costly.  A jet pump would not be recommended, as security would be a problem.  Motion by Folkema, supported by Harwood to have Rick Fish repair the well according to the estimate.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

2.      Park:  The Ensley Township Park survey markers can be found on the north property line.  The patio and fence are on township property.  There was a motion by Bergman, supported by Harwood to have the patio and fence taken off the township property.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

3.      Fire Barn Lock:  There was a motion by Bergman, supported by Folkema to purchase a push button lock from Boston Square Key and Lock spending up to $350.00.  All ayes.  Motion carried.  There was a motion by Bergman, supported by Harwood to have Environmental Door repair the weather stripping on the overhead doors.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

4.      Road Projects:  The work on Cottonwood and Elm Avenues has stopped, as letters had not been sent to the property owners at the time the work was started.  An estimate was received to blacktop Cottonwood for $69,000.  Bergman made a motion to blacktop Cottonwood.  Knox supported this.  All ayes.  Motion carried.  There is a meeting at the Road Commission on March 23.  Bergman feels there is no need for anyone to go as we have projects in line, so board members will not be paid to go.

5.      Escrow:  Bergman made a motion to rescind the letter asking for escrow on the Englewright Lake Special Assessment District.  He later withdrew this.  The Board will discuss this next month when everyone can investigate his information.

New Business: 

1.      Brine Dates:  Brining will be done the week before Memorial Day, the week before July 4, and the week before Labor Day.

2.      Mowing:  RCW submitted a bid of $8,800.00.  Motion by Bergman, supported by Folkema to retain RCW for mowing.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

3.      Amend Budget:  Harwood recommended taking $17,500 from Township Hall and putting it in Roads & Highways, take $1,000 from Public Safety and put it in Insurance & Bonds, take $500 from Planning Commission for Other-Drain at large, building inspector wages needs $1,500 from fund balance and move $300 for Electrical Inspector wages from education.  There was a motion by Bergman, supported by Folkema to amend the budget as recommended.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

4.      Zoning Administrator Assistant:  Evens has need of someone to replace him because of medical needs.   Doug Verduin would like the position.  Bergman, supported by Harwood, moved to have Verduin be assistant zoning administrator.  He would have full Zoning Administrator powers.   All ayes.  Motion Carried. 

Bills:  Checks #9594-9626 were used totaling $46,003.60.  There was $10,527.35 from the general fund, $33,605.00 from the road fund and $1,871.25 from the building inspection fund.  Folkema made the motion to pay the bills.  VanderMeulen supported this.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

Correspondence:  Bergman made a motion, supported by Folkema, to reimburse mileage for the Clerk to attend election training at Lansing.   All ayes.  Motion carried.

Bergman made a motion, supported by Folkema to pay for planning people to go to Muskegon Community College for training.  All ayes.  Motion carried. 

J&S Services sent their contract.  Clean-up days will be at the hall on April 15 from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM and April 16 from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. 

Public Comment:  Crime Watch will be on March 22, 2005 at 7:30 PM.  Board of Review will be meeting on March 14 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM and on March 15 from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM and from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

There was a motion to adjourn at 10:18 PM.

Next meeting will be on April 5, 2005 at 8:00 PM.

Copyright 2011 - Ensley Township - All Rights Reserved