BERRIEN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES

MARCH 3, 2009 MINUTES

Berrien Township Board of Trustees met on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at the township hall.  Supervisor Paul Bixby called the meeting to order and opened the meeting with the pledge to the flag.

Roll call: Supervisor Paul Bixby, Treasurer Paul Sprung, Trustees Kevin Klug, Ross Rogien, Julie Burke and Clerk Mary Jane Dean were present.

Also present was Building Inspector Jim Hoover, Fire Chief Tom Stiles, Emergency Management Rep. Julius Grau and (3) residents.

Supervisor recessed the meeting at 7:02 p.m.

Supervisor Bixby opened the Budget Hearing and turned the meeting over to Treasurer Sprung.  Treasurer reported that the fiscal year 2008-09 should break even.  Anticipated income for 2009-10 is $583,356.00.  There were no salary increases only an increase for attending meetings.  Code enforcement was reduced to $4,000.00.  Resurfacing the hall parking lot was budgeted.  Fire budget was reduced by $2,700.00.  Total expenses are $544,652.18 making income over expenses by $38,703.82.

Ross Rogien made a motion seconded by Paul Sprung to close the hearing.  All ayes.  None opposed.  MOTION CARRIED.

Hearing closed at 7:20 p.m.

Supervisor reconvened the regular meeting.  Prillwitz P.A. 116 termination was deleted and Poverty Exemption Resolution was added to new business on the agenda. Paul Sprung made a motion seconded by Julie Burke to approve the agenda as amended.  All ayes.  None opposed.  MOTION CARRIED.   

There was one correction to the February 10, 2009 minutes which follows.  Mary Jane Dean made a motion seconded by Paul Sprung to accept the contract with Future Enterprises for $3,175.90 (insert the words A MONTH) for the next 3 years.  Julie Burke made a motion seconded by Ross Rogien to approve the minutes as amended.  All ayes.  None opposed.  MOTION CARRIED.  

Paul Sprung made a motion seconded by Kevin Klug to approve the bills with the addition of Modern Mailing bill for $1,134.72 for a total of $13,606.68.  All ayes.  None opposed.  MOTION CARRIED.

Ross Rogien made a motion seconded by Julie Burke to approve the fire bills in the amount of $7,390.09 with the Township share of $4,773.99 for payment.  All ayes.  None opposed.  MOTION CARRIED.

Fire report – The Dept. had 18 calls that included 3 structure fires in Berrien Township for a total cost of $2,538.00. January and February the Dept. has had 47 calls.  April 4^th the Dept. awards dinner will be held at Love Creek Park.  The question was asked if the Dept. bills for medical calls.  The Dept. can’t bill for medical calls because the Dept. doesn’t transport.  Chief Stiles stated he is concerned about billing for structure fires as someone might try to put out the fire before calling for help if they think they will be billed.  He feels its good public relations and a service they receive for paying their taxes.

A P.A. 116 Farmland and Open Space application had been received from Mr. & Mrs. Larry Hacker.  Parcel #11-04-0004-0001-16-0 with 16.4 acres located on Maple Grove Rd.  The application had been sent to Berrien County Planning Commission and Berrien County Conservation District both agencies had made recommendations that the application be approved.  Paul Sprung made a motion seconded by Julie Burke that the   16.4 acres owned by Larry and Nancy Hacker be approved for the P.A. 116 Farmland & Open Space program for 10 years under the category of a farm of 5 acres or more but less than 40 acres.  Roll call:  Paul Sprung, yes.  Julie Burke, yes.  Ross Rogien, yes.  Kevin Klug, yes.  Harold Bishop, yes.  Paul Bixby, yes.  Mary Jane Dean, yes.  Seven yes votes.

Zero no votes.  None absent.  MOTION CARRIED.

It was decided to have the free tree give-a-way again this year but to cut back on the amount of trees purchased.  Fifty trees each of Red Maple, Sand Cherry, Sargent Crabapple, Red Osler Dogwood and Eastern Red Bud were chosen.  The date to hold the tree give-a-way will be determined at the next meeting on March 24, 2009.

Previously the Township Board adopted a Poverty Exemption Resolution in 1995.  This needs to be updated for the Board of Review.  Paul Sprung made a motion seconded by Kevin Klug to adopt the new updated Poverty Exemption Resolution to be followed by Federal guidelines.  Roll call vote:  Paul Sprung, yes.  Kevin Klug, yes.  Ross Rogien, yes.  Harold Bishop, yes.  Julie Burke, yes.  Paul Bixby, yes.  Mary Jane Dean, yes.  Seven yes votes.  Zero no votes.  None absent.  MOTION CARRIED.      

Building Inspector Jim Hoover reported that he issued (1) building permit for the month of February for an estimated building amount of $31,000.00.  Electrical Inspector had issued (3) electrical permits for a fee of $286.00 for February.  Previously Jim had reported on posting a house as dangerous and unsafe, that a hearing would be held on February 20^th.  The hearing was held and the property owner wouldn’t let the hearing officer see the home.  He was given until Feb. 27^th to do so.  The hearing officer has prepared his report and will be presented to the Board next.

Cemetery report – There was only one burial since last meeting.  The Township lost another long time resident Elfrieda Shembarger was buried today.

Planning Commission met and discussed the updates on the Zoning Ordinance.  They also reviewed the Land Division Ordinance and opinion was the ordinance is clear in regards to the four to one requirement and any split less than 40 acres must comply. The joint meeting with the Planning Commission will be April 20, 2009.

Emergency Management – As before there will be no hands on exercise only table top because the lack of funds.  There will be one at Lakeland Hospital on August 9^th, Palisades on July 15^th, Cook Nuclear will have (2) prior to theirs on Sept. 14 to be sure they are ready.  There will be a County wide school lockdown all at the same time on April 2^nd.  The new trustees can contact Gayle Bassett, Berrien County Emergency Management at 983-7141 ext. 4915 to find out about the Nims training.  This training is required for all elected officers in order for the Township to qualify for disaster funds.  Julius will be checking on grants for a siren for the new Township property.

Zoning Board of Appeals will be meeting on Thursday, March 5^th to hear Mr. Richard Moore land split appeal.

Treasurer Sprung presented the financial report with income as of Feb. 26, 2009 at $442,838.28 and expenses at $505,729.26 with a deficit of $62,890.98.  Mary Jane Dean made a motion seconded by Paul Sprung to amend the cost center for Township DNR Park to $6,250.00.  All  ayes.  None opposed.  MOTION CARRIED.

Board received a thank you for flowers that was sent to Ed Radewald funeral.

Paul Sprung made a motion seconded by Julie Burke to adjourn the meeting at 8:27 p.m.  All ayes.  None opposed.  MOTION CARRIED.