ECKFORD TOWNSHIP of
CALHOUN COUNTY
March 17, 2008
The regular monthly meeting of the Eckford Township Board was called to order at
8:00 p.m. by Supervisor Bruce Rapp. Others in attendance were K. Hinkley,
T. Baylis, W. Cornell, W. Thomas, J. Fuller, D. Malloch, Karen, Ashley and
Anthony Clark, T. Wildt, C. Woodliff, S. Berger, L. & R. Dunn, F. Baffi, J.
Whitney and L. Picketts.
Supervisor Rapp led the group in the pledge and T. Baylis gave the invocation.
A motion was made to accept the minutes of the February 18, 2008 Regular Monthly
meeting minutes were approved by W. Cornell and supported by W. Thomas.
CARRIED
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
T. Baylis, Treasurer gave the financial statement with:
RECEIPTS for
Jan. of
$36663.97
DISBURSEMENTS
of
$12048.10
BILLS TO PAY
$ 9275.44
W. Thomas made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s report and pay all the bills.
W. Cornell seconded the motion. CARRIED
T. Baylis reported that we have gone over in our Assessors expenses and we need
to adjust the expenditure item. W. Thomas made a motion to move $200 from
our Capital Account to the Assessors Expense Account. W. Cornell seconded
the motion. CARRIED
HOMER FIRE BOARD REPORT
Given by W. Thomas, the fireboard would like to know what Eckford Township is
doing as far as fire coverage. They are working on new ISO ratings for
their insurance company. Which in turn would hopefully lower their rates.
Kim from Flagstar Bank was at their last meeting to explain how their accounts
work at the bank. There was 1 run in Eckford last month but it was
cancelled after it went out.
MARSHALL FIREFIGHTERS AMBULANCE REPORT
Given by W. Thomas, the Authority passed a resolution to purchase a
new ambulance for Fiscal year 2008-2009. They weren’t planning on it but
the pricing was really good and it was already budgeted. Bud Combs has
joined the board from Clarendon Township. There were 5 runs in Jan. and 1
run in Feb.
ZONING REPORT
Given by D. Malloch, there was 1 permit issued for this month and 1 more done
that Dave is waiting to get the check for and 1 more out.
T.
Tucker---addition
PLANNING COMMISSION
Given by R. Dunn, the commission is continuing its progress on the Blight
Ordinance. They are working on definitions and how much junk is too much junk.
The PC has attended 2 workshops since last month to get their re-certification
for Planning and Zoning through MSU. R. DeJong was unable to attend one of
the classes and needs to make it up or he will reimburse the township for the
expense if he cannot make it up. R. Buskirk will check on that possibility with
MSU
LIBRARY REPORT
Given by L. Dunn, next month is National Library Month. If you check
something out at the library during next month you will get a prize. They are
working with Greenstreet Arts with an afterschool project and then the library
is working on a gardening afterschool project as well.
CITIZENS COMMENTS
Todd Wildt shared his comments to the board about our fire department issues.
He stated that all the townships are in the same boat with their finances.
He is concerned about the citizens of Eckford Township and shared his own story
of how the Homer Fire Dept. helped him when tragedy struck him.
Jason Fuller asked for a time line on when the junk and trailers would be moved.
They are planning an open house in the next two-(2) weeks and would like the
trailers at least moved behind their pole barn or to the south side of the Clark
property.
John Whitney and his wife Lisa Pickets addressed their concerns about the water
that is standing on their property and in the basement of their old home.
They have asked if we could look into having the drain across the road cleaned
out to help with the drainage problem. B. Rapp stated that he would
contact the drain commissioner and see if he can take care of it or if it
something the road commission needs to address.
COMMUNICATIONS
A list of communications were distributed and attached to the monthly minutes.
OLD BUSINESS
Fire Departments: B. Rapp and K. Hinkley will met with Kurt Swope on the
31st of March to discuss our fire issues. We still don’t have any quotes
from Marengo and Fredonia at this time.
The Clark/Fuller ordinance violation has been discussed with B. Rapp and Atty.
Moore. K. Clark stated that she has hired a scrap dealer to clean things
out. She would like to keep three (3) trailers if possible. The
board asked if she could at least move the trailers until she can find some
place to store or sell them as Mr. Fuller had requested. K. Clark stated
she would have to talk to her lawyer. The Fuller’s have an open house on
the 30th of March and would like to have everything at least moved out of view.
K. Hinkley made a motion to give Karen Clark three (3) months to completely
remove the trailers and debris and one (1) month to move the trailers behind her
house or on the south side of her property. T. Baylis seconded the motion.
CARRIED
NEW BUSINESS
Cemetery fuel costs were addressed by B. Rapp because of a letter Sexton J.
Baylis wrote asking that the township board approve a $50 increase in the
cemetery fees of a burial to help K. Kiessling with the increase in the cost of
gas. W. Thomas made the motion to increase the burial expense from $400 to
$450 per burial. K. Hinkley seconded the motion. CARRIED
Board of Review by B. Rapp, they had 56 people come in to protest their
assessments. The Board of Review will be wrapping things up on Tuesday the
18th of March. L. Picketts asked why our Assessor D. Brunner couldn’t
answer questions during the BOR? B. Rapp explained that he couldn’t
persuade the decisions of the BOR when someone is protesting. They must
make a decision on the facts not on our assessor’s persuasion.
Zoning Admin. D. Malloch has given his resignation effective immediately.
He has taken a new position with in his full time job and will not have the time
to devote to the job of ZA. He has recommended we appoint R. Buskirk as
the new ZA. W. Cornell made a motion to appoint Rae Etta Buskirk as Zoning
Administrator effective immediately. W. Thomas seconded the motion.
CARRIED
Clean up day will be April 26, 2008 at 9 a.m.
Budget meeting will be March 24, 2008 at 6:30 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made to adjourn by W. Thomas at 8:48 p.m. and seconded by K.
Hinkley. CARRIED
Respectfully submitted by,
Kimberly Hinkley
Eckford Township