CALHOUN COUNTY
Supervisor Rapp called the regular meeting of the Eckford Township Board to order at 8:00 pm. Others in attendance were T. Baylis, K. Lawrence, W. Cornell, K. Hinkley, J. Dobbins, R. Buskirk, D. Masternak, L. Dunn.
Supervisor Rapp led the group in the pledge and T. Baylis gave the invocation.
A motion was made by W. Cornell to accept the Clerk’s
minutes of the September 21, 2009 and the October 12, 2009 Election Commission
meeting. K. Lawrence seconded the
motion.
CARRIED
T. Baylis, Treasurer gave the financial statement for October with
RECEIPTS $ 6237.44
DISBURSEMENTS $ 10150.72
BILLS TO PAY $ 7328.81
W. Cornell made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report
and pay the bills. K. Hinkley
seconded the motion.
CARRIED
Given by T. Baylis, they will be suspending the fire truck funds for the 2010 budget year. The Homer village is putting pressure on the fire dept. to cut costs. There is more talk about hiring a full-time fire chief. They still need to vote as to whether they will go ahead and change the percentages to actual for every entity. Eckford’s will be 8.4% for next year’s contract once they change the contract.
Given by W. Cornell, at the last meeting they discussed where they should be loading and unloading because of the construction going on at the hospital right now. Their runs are up but not what they projected that they would be. Augusts runs were 7 and Sept. runs were 2. They are reviewing the budget for the 1st quarter. Revenue numbers are down but they decided not to adjust the budget yet until after the flu season is over. There could be possible layoffs in the 3rd quarter.
Given by R. Buskirk, as of September 21, 2009 there are 2 building permits issued.
J. Malloch—wind turbine P. & S. Collins—pole barn
Given by R. Buskirk for M. Farmer, new complaint for Kathy LaRoe at 6349 20 Mile Road, clean-up of the property from a burned structure. Contact has been made and abatement pending.
Frank Hitz I Drive property—closed
402 Maple St., Eckford Village lawn maintenance--closed
Robert Farmer property 110 Ogden
St.—still trying to work with property owner in cleaning up the junk
cars--pending
Jason Blackburn property, J. Drive S.—still working on getting him to clean-up the property—pending
Collins Property, 7650 22 ½ Mile Rd., removal of junk cars from property are to be removed from property by December 21, 2009—pending
G. Tompkins, 107 Maple St., property is now in forclosure and Wells Fargo Bank has been contact to clean-up the property—pending
G. Newsome, property on J. Drive S., most of the property is cleaned-up but full compliance is still being sought—pending
A copy of the full report is on file.
Given by D. Masternak, the PC has finished the Wind Energy Ordinance and has passed it on to the township for final approval. The board will be ready to discuss this ordinance at the November meeting. They will be working the PC is done with the Wind Energy Ordinance and is passing it on to the township board for f on the Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance next.
Given by L. Dunn, the Library is really watching what is going on with Lansing and the state budget as they are looking at some stiff cuts for next year to libraries. Laurie did a very conservative budget to account for the cuts. The library will be having an after- hours program on October 24th there are still tickets available. They will be closed on Thursday and Friday in November for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Given by J. Dobbins, the Haunted Castle is up and running and it is going really well. New members have been signing up when they come out. They will be having a benefit auction on Saturday, October 24 at 12 noon. The club is moving ahead with its 501(3)c status. They may be able to act under the Marshall Community Foundation at least until they can get on their own feet. They might be able to get help through the Michigan Council.
W. Cornell shared with the board that the ZBA met to go over questions on how the ZBA should work. They have questions that they would like to ask the attorney.
Homer Fire Board Agreement is on hold until after the Eckford Township letter goes out to the Homer Fire Board members at the meeting on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 we are still waiting for them to change the percentages to actual usage which is #19 in the contract and #20 changed for this year for the truck funds. Then the board will be glad to sign the contract.
IMPC –the township board would like to direct this to the PC to look over to see if there are some changes to our Zoning Ordinance that could be made instead of adopting this whole ordinance. The main thing is to help when we have to work with banks in repossession circumstances.
Master Plan changes will be needed and D. Masternak asked if the PC should hire a consultant to help with this process. The board has directed D. Masternak to look into this and let the board know.
Resolution 2009-15 PA116 for Ronald and Susan Dannenberg
was read by B. Rapp. K.
Hinkley made a motion to accept Resolution 2009-15 the PA116 for R. & S.
Dannenberg. K. Lawrence seconded the
motion.
CARRIED
A role call vote was taken
K. Lawrence – YEA B. Rapp – YEA
W. Cornell – YEA T. Baylis – YEA
K. Hinkley – YEA
Variance costs are at $150 and the cost is just covering our township expenses for them at this time with the economy we won’t make them anymore but we may have to re-evaluate them at a later date.
Attorney for the township—the board would like to continue
to use Attorney Moore for day-to-day things but to continue to retain the
attorney’s in Grand Rapids for Ordinance and major township legal matters.
W. Cornell made a motion to use the attorney in Grand Rapids to review
the Zoning and Ordinance work.
T. Baylis seconded the motion.
CARRIED
T. Baylis made a motion to adjourn at 9:24 pm. Seconded by K. Hinkley. CARRIED
Respectfully submitted by,
Kimberly Hinkley Bruce Rapp
Eckford Township Clerk Eckford Township Supervisor