The regular meeting of the Ensley Township Board was called to order at 8:00 PM by Supervisor Starr.  The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and a Prayer.  Board members present were Phillip Starr, Cynthia Harwood, Faye Folkema, Brenda Bird, and John VanderMeulen.  There were ten guests in attendance.

Minutes of Previous Meetings: There was a motion by VanderMeulen/Bird to approve the Minutes of September 1, 2009.  All Affirmed.

County Surveyor Presentation:  Norm Ochs has been working on replacing all the government section corners – every half mile in the entire county.  He would like to have the township contribute $600.00 to the project.

Treasurers Report: 

            General                         $285,269.77

CD #1 General                  30,000.00

            Checking                               978.13

            Roads                            215,686.32

            Total                            $531,934.22

Receipts #5178-5206 were used totaling $30,768.05.  There was a motion by VanderMeulen/Harwood to accept the treasurer’s report.  All affirmed.  

County Commissioner:  Mr. Scholtens was not present.

Zoning Administrator:   The Ensley Sand and Gravel file is closed at this time.  There was a motion by Folkema/Starr to send $235.00 registration fee and be reimbursed by the other government entities for Bob to attend the MTA conference.  All ayes, motion carried.

Planning Commission:  Ryan Coffey held a Wind Energy seminar.

Forest Committee:  A work day is planned for November 7 at 8:00 AM.  The next meeting is October 15 at 7:30 PM.

Building Inspector:  There was one building permit and one electrical permit issued.

Public Comment:  8:52 PM to 8:55 PM.

Unfinished Business:

1.         Crandall Cemetery Statue:  The Fryling family was present.  There was discussion about the statue meeting the ordinance requirements.  Bird moved to allow a variance in the ordinance to allow the statue.  Motion died.  The Zoning Administrator will check with the attorney to see if a variance can be allowed.  This will be on the agenda next month.   Starr/Folkema moved to advertise in the River Valley for residents to take down or remove items before November 1.  All affirmed.

2.         Plowing Bids:  Two bids were received:  Tony Kohn bid $85.00 per push and Frey’s Landcare bid $68.00 per push.  There was a motion by Starr/VanderMeulen to give the bid to Frey’s Landcare for $68.00 per push.  All Affirmed.

New Business:

1.       Amend Budget:    Harwood recommended adding $2,600 to Public Safety – Fire Protection      and adding $230.00 to Forest Project – Supplies from the Township Board – Attorney.  There was a motion by Folkema/VanderMeulen to amend the budget per Cindy’s recommendation.  All affirmed.

2.      Nature Preserve Appointments:   Starr recommended  that himself and Bird be Board Representatives,  Barb VanderMeulen, Chairperson, Larry Meyer, Trail Master, and Margaret Shinew be appointed for three years, Russ Schestag and Alvin Smelik be appointed for two years, and Steve Boluyt and Dave Rondeau be appointed for one year.  The terms begin October 2009 and run through January 2011.  Reappointments are in January of each year.  There was a motion by Starr/Folkema to appoint these people to the Nature Preserve Committee.  All affirmed.

3.      Building and Site Committee:  Starr/VanderMeulen moved that the Ensley Township Board appoint a committee for the sole purpose of investigating the feasibility of a new township hall addition and/or building and recommendations on financing options.  Included in this motion, the committee is approved to expend up to $1,000.00 towards this report.  The committee is directed to present a comprehensive report to the township board not later that the regularly scheduled board meeting March 2^nd 2010.  The appointees being Phil Starr, Dennis Harwood, Barb VanderMeulen, Steve Boluyt, Doug Verduin, Keith Bouwkamp, Chuck Bergman, Gary Butler, and Joe Montambo.  All affirmed.

4.      MTA Conference:  There was a motion by Starr/Folkema to authorize Barb VanderMeulen and Cindy Harwood to go to the pre conference and as many Board members as wants to go and reimburse for mileage and parking fees.  All ayes, motion carried.

Bills:  Checks #11428-11454 were used totaling $113,150.42.  The General Fund was $26,316.55, the Road Fund was $86,429.76, and the Building Inspection Fund was $404.11.  There was a motion by Bird/VanderMeulen to pay the bills.  All affirmed. 

Supervisor’s Report:   Don Noordyke did not get any grants.

Correspondence: 

Public Comment:  10:22 – 10:35 PM.

Adjourn: There was a motion to adjourn at 10:35 PM.

Submitted by,

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Cynthia Harwood, Clerk