July 2012 minutes

TOWNSHIP OF ELMIRA

OTSEGO COUNTY

JULY 12, 2012

            A regular meeting of the Elmira Township Board was held on July 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.

            Members in attendance were Supervisor, Diane Franckowiak, Clerk, Susan Schaedig, Treasurer, Diane Purgiel and Trustees Leonard Skop and Dale Holzschu.

Others in attendance were Roberta Tholl of the Otsego County Road Commission, Duane Hoffman- Elmira PC, Dan Smith, CPA, Chris Wells, Holly Franckowiak, Ron Geiger, Ordinance officer and Dave Johanningsmeier.

            Leonard made a motion to approve the minutes as presented.  Seconded by Dale and carried unanimously.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

            Roberta Tholl updated the board on the road work being done in Otsego County.

ASSESSOR’S REPORT:

            Diane F reported that the Board of Revue will be held on July 17, 2012 at 9:00 a.m at the Elmira Township hall.  The main purpose of the Board will be to correct errors.

ORDINANCE OFFICER REPORT:

            Ron reported that the Delaney property taxes are up to date and the property has been cleaned up.  He understands that the trailer will be rented.

PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT:

            Duane Hoffman reported that John Ernst is unable to assist the township bringing the play structure up to code and recommended Anthony Esson, Architect. 

A permit has to be drawn but there will not be a charge.

            Duane and Anthony Esson will meet with the Puroll family to discuss the compliance issues on the play structure.

            Chris Wells stated that her husband, Keith inspected the Elmira school bell and she presented an idea to the board on how to place it in the park.

            Duane, Mary Campbell and Leonard met with the DNR Grant person at the park.  All the paper work is in order and the township gained points by having purchased the Coan property and having the Road Commission abandon the road and deeding over a small section of property in front of the park. 

            The township will know in mid August whether it will be in the preliminary running for the grant. 

            Duane stated that the PC will be sending out a survey early next year and will be seeking bids on redoing the township Master Plan which will take ten months to complete.  It has been ten years since the current plan was completed.

AUDITOR’S REPORT:

            Dan Smith, CPA reviewed Elmira Townships audited financial statements with the board.

READING OF THE BILLS:

5337    Dale Holzschu, Trustee salary                                                             238.83

5338    Susan Schaedig, Clerk’s salary                                                                       959.91

5339    Ron Geiger, ordinance officer, liquor inspector                                             239.51

5340    Leonard Skop, Trustee salary                                                                         188.83

5341    John Middleton, PC mtg                                                                                110.00

5342    Gloria Torello, PC mtg                                                                                    130.00

5343    Duane Hoffman, PC mtg                                                                                110.00

5344    Diane Purgiel, Treasurer’s salary                                                                  1,493.49

5345    Diane Franckowiak, Supervisor’s salary                                                      1,378.66

5346    Elmira Township Treasurer, Coan property tax                                                55.44

5347    United States Postal Service, postage                                                                          45.00

5348    Diane Franckowiak, reimb, filing fee-Coan property, computer & internet     64.00

5349    Susan Schaedig, reimb internet                                                                         29.99

5350    Diane Purgiel, reimb, postage, mileage, telephone & internet                        183.91

5351    D & D Assessing                                                                                         1,700.00

5352    Waste Management                                                                                          74.88

5353    Dan Smith, CPA, audit                                                                                3,200.00

5354    Spartan Sewer and Septic                                                                                 85.00

5355    Otsego County Historical Society, donation                                                  100.00

5356    Great Lakes Energy                                                                                          92.34

5357    Crossroads Industries, Inc, newsletter                                                            609.63

5358    Calvin Thomas, hall cleaning                                                                            90.00

5359    Alpine Web, quarterly website hosting                                                           105.00

5360    Mark Rygwelski, mowing & cleanup-Coan lot                                              750.00

5361    First Federal, transfer funds from 5/3 to open accounts                          120,000.00

5362    United States Postal Service, postage-treasurer                                             450.00

5363    Otsego County Treasurer, charge backs                                                         137.94

5364    United States Postal Service, postage-clerk                                                     90.00

5365    GBS, election materials                                                                                  128.83

5366    Great Lakes Energy                                                                                        175.56

5367    Centurylink                                                                                                       43.78

5368    Roderick Wright, wages for lean to-generator                                            1,210.00

5369    Roderick Wright, reimb material for lean to                                                   787.26

E-Pay  Taxes for July, 2012                                                                                       626.44

5370    Great Lakes Energy                                                                                        200.29

TOTAL OF BILLS                                                                                             135,894.52

            Diane P made a motion to pay the bills.  Seconded by Dale and carried unanimously.

TREASURER’S REPORT:

            Diane P reported that she closed a savings account at Fifth Third and opened an  ICS account at First Federal.  This account will receive ¼% interest and it is a sweep account which allows the township to deposit money in several banks through out the United States and us totally insured by the FDIC.

            Diane P reviewed a letter she sent to a taxpayer because he was complaining about paying interest for a delinquent payment.

CD’s 99,031.79  65,444.47   64,425.27   109,266.33   SVGS 15,169.59  First Federal Checking 120,000.00  Gen Fund 66,858.54  TOTAL 540,195.99

Tax Savings  71,964.00  Tax Checking  6,036.97  TOTAL  78,000.97

OLD BUSINESS:

            Diane F reported that the Coan property was purchased for $5,500.  He would not accept the $3000 and his name on a park bench like he had offered to the township earlier.  Mr Coan decided to accept the $5,500 and the township pay the taxes of 55.44.

NEW BUSINESS:    

            Diane F presented a contract for Municipal Land Use Services Administration(Land Use Planning, Zoning, Zoning Administration and Building Code Compliance) for 2013-2014.  The cost remains the same as it was in 2011-2012.  $6,180.00 per year.

            Leonard made a motion to accept the 2013-2014 Land Use Services Contract for two years at a cost of $6,180.00 per year.  Seconded by Sue and carried unanimously.

            Diane F made a motion to accept the Holton Gas contract for propane at 189.9 per gallon for the 2012-2013 heating season.  Seconded by Dale and carried unanimously.

            Sue made a motion to appoint Doreen Ostrander, Heidi Mead, Peggy Hall, Michelle Geiger, Jan Hoffman and Janelle Crawford as election inspectors for the August 7, 2012 Primary Election.  Seconded by Dale and carried unanimously.

            Sue made a motion to increase the election inspectors wage to 12.00 per hour and the chairperson wage to 15.00 per hour.  Seconded by Dale and carried unanimously.

            The board discussed the liability of the play structure in the township park.

            Leonard made a motion to accept Architect, Anthony Esson’s contract for reviewing of the playground structure, and recommendations for repair which will be less than $1,000.00.  AEA’s fee for design, preparation of documents for repair, and any construction services will be in addition to the cost of review and recommendations.

            AEA estimates that the cost of services for the design of the bell display structure will be less that $750.00.  AEA’s fee for preparation of plans for construction and any construction services will be in addition to the cost of review and recommendations.  Seconded by Dale and carried unanimously.

            Diane P reported that she has been asked by citizens if the township will reconsider allowing ORVs to travel the shoulders in Elmira Township.

            This question will be placed on the Township survey that will be sent to the residents.

            Diane P also stated that she has had complaints about the excessive speed by the gravel trucks on North Townline.

            Diane F reported that the structure to cover the generator is almost complete.

            There being no further business to come before the board, Leonard made a motion to adjourn.  Seconded by Dale and carried unanimously.  Meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m..

Susan Schaedig, Clerk