BERRIEN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MAY 12, 2009 MINUTES
Berrien Township Board of Trustees met on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at the township hall. Clerk Mary Jane Dean called the meeting to order in absence of Supervisor Paul Bixby. The meeting was opened with the pledge to the flag. Ross Rogien made a motion seconded by Julie Burke to appoint Paul Sprung as acting chairman. All ayes, none opposed. MOTION CARRIED.
Roll call: Treasurer Paul Sprung, Trustees Ross Rogien, Harold Bishop, Julie Burke and Clerk Mary Jane Dean were present. Supervisor Paul Bixby and Trustee Kevin Klug were absent.
Also present: Building Inspector Jim Hoover, Fire Chief Tom Stiles, Emergency Management Rep. Julius Grau, Berrien County Road Commission Engineer Brian Berndt and resident Earl Hansen.
Julie Burke made a motion seconded by Harold Bishop to approve the agenda as written. All ayes, none opposed. MOTION CARRIED.
Julie Burke made a motion seconded by Harold Bishop to approve the April 14, 2009 minutes. All ayes, none opposed. MOTION CARRIED.
Julie Burke made a motion seconded by Harold Bishop to approve the Township bills in the amount of $14,695.78 for payment. All ayes, none opposed. MOTION CARRIED.
Kevin Klug arrived.
Berrien County Sheriff report had 51 complaints, 6 tickets were issued and 2 arrests were made in the Township for the month of March. There were 1258 complaints, 483 tickets issued and 201 arrests were made in the County for March.
Kevin Klug made a motion seconded by Julie Burke to approve the fire bills in the amount of $29,005.29 with township share of $18,737.41 for payment. All ayes, none opposed. MOTION CARRIED.
Previously the Berrien County Road Commission had presented a 2009 spring road breakup in the Township on Huckleberry Rd. north of Smith Rd.; Hipps Hollow Rd. east of Laberdy Rd.; Smith Rd. east of Pucker St.; Jones Rd. south of Pokagon Rd. and Snyder rd. west of Jones Rd. for a patch and seal coat for a total of $90,141.00 (this is for materials only). The Board was to drive those roads. Brian Berndt from the road commission, explained that the roads in question didn’t warrant being chopped up and redone just patched and seal coated. Julie thought Huckleberry between Deans Hill and Eau Claire Rd. was bad. Road Commission always does the seal coating, they supply the labor and equipment they just need help with the materials. Huckleberry Rd. will be worst after Deans Hill Rd. is resurfaced since it will be used as the detour for Deans Hill. Board will revisit Huckleberry Rd. next year. The following was requested from the Road Commission for June meeting: a cost estimate for doing Hipps Hollow with a good base; cost estimate for soil borings and resurfacing for Smith Rd. Look at Franklin Rd. water problem possibly raising the road. Snyder Rd. needs to be patched and seal coated. Jones Rd. was seal coated in 2007. There has been water standing between Pokagon and Snyder last year in September and again this spring. It was decided to send out a letter to residents in that area to see how they feel about the water problem and if they might have any knowledge pertaining to the area.
The Board had asked MDOT if the intersection of Deans Hill Rd. and M-140 could be reviewed and the possibility of the reduction in the speed limit. Mr. Paul South Manager Transportation Service Center response was after receiving a request for a speed study and engineering analysis including a speed study would be done and a recommendation would be submitted to Mi State Police. Ross Rogien made a motion seconded by Kevin Klug to request a speed study for Deans Hill Rd. and M-140 intersection included with a speed proposal. All ayes, none opposed. MOTION CARRIED.
Ross Rogien made a motion seconded by Julie Burke to authorize the Supervisor to contact Andrews University to do a needs assessment study in regards to the hall addition. The report would go to the hall committee for a recommendation to the Board. All ayes, none opposed. MOTION CARRIED.
It was decided to do a 2009 newsletter to be included in the summer tax bills. Additions should mention the conditions of the township roads are being studied and studying the need for upgrading the hall.
Ross Rogien made a motion seconded by Julie Burke to have the hole in the parking lot patched not to exceed $1,000.00. All ayes, none opposed. MOTION CARRIED.
The Fire Dept had 32 calls with 20 in Berrien Township for a total cost of $2,640.00 for the month of April.
There were 2 grave sites sold. Clerk Dean asked the Board about allowing a bench being placed in the trees between Block F and Block G it was decided to check to see what specific type of bench would be used.
Planning Commission had held a special meeting to receive information for the proposed special land use from Adventist Frontier Mission at the property known as Pennellwood. A public hearing will be held at their next meeting on May 18, 2009.
Emergency Management report – A county wide school lock down drill last month went extremely well. This was due to the fact that the schools had been given the fire depts. old pagers. The State was so pleased with the drill process they may use it as a good example by using the pagers also.
Building Inspector reported he had issued 11 building permits this included 1 new home and 1 demolition permit for an estimated building amount of $403,156.00 for the month of April. Electrical Inspector Ken Simpson had issued 6 electrical permits for a fee of $767.00 for the month of April.
Financial report showed revenue of $5,293.26 and expenditures at $24,463.20 for the month of April.
Mary Jane Dean made a motion seconded by Kevin Klug to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m. All ayes, none opposed. MOTION CARRIED.
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MARY JANE DEAN BERRIEN TOWNSHIP CLERK
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PAUL SPRUNG ACTING CHAIRMAN
