April 12, 2012 Minutes

ELMIRA TOWNSHIP

OTSEGO COUNTY

APRIL 12, 2012

            A regular meeting of the Elmira Township Board was held on April 12, 2012 at the Elmira Township hall commencing at 6:00 p.m. with Supervisor, Diane Franckowiak calling the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance.

            All board members were present.  Others in attendance were Commissioner, Bruce Brown, OCRC, Roberta Tholl and Jim and Linda Reinhardt.

            Minutes of the previous meeting were approved as presented.  Moved by Diane P and seconded by Leonard.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

            Linda Reinhardt asked the board where they stood in regard to Otsego County Recycling.

            The board pointed out that there are issues and additional costs with the billing.  The township would have to mail bills only to primary residences, the billing cannot be put on with the tax bill and the township has no recourse to collect unless it is taken to small claims.  There is also the issue of which board member would administer it and additional compensation.

            Bruce Brown stated that the commissioners would have to approve  to have it placed on the ballot.

            The recycling issue was tabled until additional information can be obtained.

            Roberta Tholl, road commissioner gave an update of their projects for 2012.

            Bruce Brown, county commissioner commented on the Groen project in Joburg and the foreclosure rate is down but the economy is slowly recovering and possibly in three years the gap could become smaller.

ASSESSOR’S REPORT:

            Diane F reported that there were 15 protests at the March, 2012 Board of Revue.  They were mostly about the assessed value being down but the taxable went up.

PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT:

            Dale reported that the PC discussed the play structure needs for safety compliance in the township park.  The spring toys need to be removed since they are not safety compliant. 

            He stated that Duane Hoffman’s term is up on May 31, 2012.

READING OF THE BILLS:

            5233    Forman Mechanical LLC, boiler                                                      7,225.00

            5234    Ron Geiger, liquor Inspector, ordinance officer                                 239.51

            5235    James Theisen, PC meeting                                                                 110.00

            5236    Susan Schaedig, clerk salary                                                            1,079.91

            5237    Roderick Wright, BOR                                                                       270.00

            5238    Paul Hartmann, PC meeting                                                               110.00

            5239    Leonard Skop, trustee salary                                                              188.83

            5240    John Middleton, PC meeting                                                              110.00

            5241    Gloria Torello, PC meeting                                                                 130.00

            5242    Eugene Fleming, BOR                                                                        270.00

            5243    Duane Hoffman, PC meeting                                                             110.00

            5244    Diane Franckowiak, Supervisor Salary                                            1,388.66

            5245    Dale Holzschu, trustee salary                                                              298.83

            5246    Cynthia Prusakiewicz, BOR                                                               270.00

            5247    D & D Assessing                                                                             1,700.00

            5248    Diane Franckowiak, reimb use internet & computer                            50.00

            5249    Walmart, BOR lunches and supper                                                      54.07

            5250    Diane Purgiel, Treasurer’s salary                                                      1,553.49

            5251    VOID             

            5252    Association of Public Treasurers-US & Canada, membership              46.67

            5253    Waste Management                                                                              75.07

            5254    Diane Purgiel, reimb mileage, phone & internet                                 124.79

            5255    Great Lakes Energy                                                                              92.34

            5256    Calvin Thomas, hall cleaning                                                                87.50

            5257    Alpine Web, quarterly website hosting                                               105.00

            5258    D & H Excavating, snowplowing, March                                          157.50

            5259    Holton’s Gas                                                                                       250.53

            5260    Susan Schaedig, reimb mileage, phone, internet, changing tables      422.48

            5261    M.C. Planning & Design, park improvement                                   2,363.16

            5262    Centurylink                                                                                           42.56

            5263    Great Lakes Energy                                                                            186.74

            5264    United States Postal Service, postage                                                  90.00

            5265    Moore Power Electric, generator inspection                                       237.00

            5266    Citizens Bank, transfer to tax account 6086                                    1,000.00

            5267    Great Lakes Energy                                                                            200.29

            5268    Forman Mechanical LLC, final pymt on boiler                               7,225.00

            5269    Spartan Sewer & Septic, April-May                                                     85.00

            5270    Susan Schaedig, reimb 38 Acrylic light covers, office supplies         301.55

            5271    Michigan Townships Association, registration MTA on the Road     237.00

            5272    Spartan Sewer & Septic, May-June                                                      85.00

            5273    Otsego County Treasurer, chargebacks                                              227.31

            EPay    United States Treasury, payroll taxes employer                                 161.96                                                                                                                                20,962.75                                                                                                

Leonard made a motion to pay the bills. Seconded by Dale and carried.

TREASURER’S REPORT:

            Diane P reported that she has balanced with the County Treasurer and will meet with Citizens Bank to try & set up the credit card payment for taxes through them.

M Bank CD’s,  99,031.79  65,444.47, 64,425.27  M Bank Savings 15,152.40

5/3 Savings  117,763.98  Northwestern CD 109,266.33  Gen Fund  81,771.38 

TOTAL 552,855.62

Tax Acct’s Northwestern  4,524.20  1,059.11   Citizens  1,989.17  5,036.50 

TOTAL 12,578.98

            Diane will closing the tax accounts out at Northwestern.

OLD BUSINESS:

            Diane F sent a letter to Mr. Coan stating that the township is interested in purchasing his property next to the township park.

            Diane F contacted Mark Puroll to inspect the lights in the township hall.  He suggested new ballasts and bulbs.

            Leonard made a motion purchase replacement ballasts & bulbs from Standard Electric.  Seconded by Dale and carried.

            Dale suggested that we hire someone who is insured.

            Sue stated that Moore Electric has inspected the generator and has placed the township on a yearly inspection.

            Diane P made a motion to contract with Mark Rygwelski of Complete Lawn Care for the 2012 season.  Seconded by Sue and carried unanimously.

            Mark’s bid is the same as 2011.

            Diane P made a motion to contract with the Otsego County Road Commission for $46,l55.00(township share) to upgrade W. Martin Lake Road.  Seconded by Leonard and carried unanimously.

            The board discussed the request for more money from the townships to support the Otsego County Economic Alliance.  Members felt that they would like more information and where is the need.  Matter tabled.

NEW BUSINESS:

Sue made a motion to pay for registration and wages for any board member to attend the Michigan Townships on The Road seminar at Treetops in Gaylord on May 15, 2012.  Seconded by Dale and carried unanimously.

            Leonard made a  motion to reappoint Duane Hoffman to a new three year term to the Elmira Township Planning Commission.  Seconded by Dale and carried unanimously.

            There being no further business to come before the board Dale made a motion to adjourn.  Seconded by Sue and carried.  Meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m..

Susan Schaedig, Clerk