BERRIEN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES

MARCH 16, 2010 MINUTES

Berrien Township Board of Trustees held their regular meeting on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 which included the Budget Hearing held at 7:00 p.m. at the township hall.  Supervisor Paul Bixby called the meeting to order.

Roll call:  Supervisor Paul Bixby, Treasurer Paul Sprung, Trustees Kevin Klug, Harold Bishop, Julie Burke and Clerk Mary Jane Dean.  Ross Rogien arrived late.

Also present: Fire Chief Tom Stiles, Deputy Supervisor Julius Grau, Shannon Adams representative from Omega Paving two residents.

The regular meeting was recessed for the Budget Hearing:

Treasurer Paul Sprung presented the budget for the fiscal year 2010-2011. 

            Income:  with construction reduced building and electrical permits were decreased to $15,000.00.  Anticipated State revenue was reduced to $289,111.00. 

Expenses: Salaries were frozen except for newly hired administrative clerk will receive a .75 per hr. increase every 6 months for 2 yrs. Elections were increased since the County has done some cut backs and increased their fees.  There are 3 elections this year.  Township Hall & Grounds: with the anticipation of the hall addition and renovation a first payment for a loan for part of the cost was set at $12,150.00 and $225,000.00 from the general fund for the remainder.  All the other cost centers remained about the same as last years. Total anticipated income $493,661.00 and expenses at $747,332.37.

With no further business the Supervisor adjourned the budget hearing at 7:15 p.m. and reconvened the regular meeting.      

Julie Burke made a motion seconded by Kevin Klug to approve the agenda.  All ayes, none opposed.  MOTION CARRIED.

Paul Sprung made a motion seconded by Harold Bishop to approve the February 9, 2010 minutes.  All ayes, none opposed.  MOTION CARRIED.

Kevin Klug made a motion seconded by Ross Rogien to approve the February 23, 2010 minutes.  All ayes, none opposed.  MOTION CARRIED.

Julie Burke made a motion seconded by Kevin Klug to approve the bills with a total of $30,118.46 that includes the additional bill from Dr. Stanley Bell in the amount of $7,107.64 and Danch, Harner & Assoc. in the amount of $450.00 for payment.  All ayes, none opposed.  MOTION CARRIED.
 

Ross Rogien made a motion seconded by Julie Burke to approve the joint fire bills in the amount of $7,769.20 with the township share of $5,018.90.  All ayes, none opposed.  MOTION CARRIED.

Fire report – The Dept. had (11) calls for the month of Feb. with a total of $1,018.00.  There has been (35) calls since the first of the year.

Shannon Adams representative from Omega Paving presented a demonstration of the process of applying the material.  It uses 15 gals. per mile with a 50-60 % savings over conventional process, it stabilizes the base and hardens like cement.  There was concern about frost causing problems.  Need to call the engineer at Emmet County Road Commission to see how the application has held through the winter.

Hall addition – a pre-bid meeting was held on Monday, March 15 with the contractors.  Eight contractors have picked up prints.  Since Good Friday is the day that previously was scheduled for opening the bids it was changed to April 6 at 9:00 a.m.  The Board will discuss the recommendation from the Building Committee at their April 13^th meeting.  Supervisor has checked on prices for a container to store items that won’t fit in the temporary office areas:  $125.00 for 28 days, $100.00 delivery charge and $100.00 for pick-up. 

Free trees- It was decided to order (50) each of Tupelo Black Gum, White Spruce, Mountain Ash and Eastern Ninebark.  The days for the Free Tree Give-a-Way will be held on April 24^th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 (noon) and on April 25^th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Building Inspector had issued (3) permits for an estimated building of $28,600.00 for the month of February.  Electrical Inspector issued (2) permits for a fee of $286.00 for Feb.

Clerk Dean reported she had sold (8) graves since last meeting.

Julius Grau reported that the Red Cross had applied for Federal funding for a mobile blood drive bus.  Palisades’s inspection by FEMA has been completed and passed.  Cook Nuclear exercise will be next year.  Working on building codes requiring gas stations to be pre-wired for generators and hiring electricians for wiring existing stations.  Also .03-.05 cents per gallon of gas come back to local municipalities to use on roads maintenance within a 2yr. time period if not used the money would go to the county.  Mitigation planning have prepared a press release if an emergency would happen that would list veterinarians and animal control in the 3 surrounding counties and listing stores that would have food, cages etc.  Emergency Management recognized Julius for his excellent work done as a volunteer.  

Zoning Board of Appeals will be meeting on Tuesday, March 23^rd.

Financial report – Income for Feb. was $24,987.23 for a total up to present at $414,373.65.  Expenses for Feb. were $31,575.00 with a total of $447,269.47.

Julie Burke made a motion seconded by Harold Bishop to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m.   All ayes, none opposed.  MOTION CARRIED.

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MARY JANE DEAN BERRIEN TOWNSHIP CLERK

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PAUL B. BIXBY BERRIEN TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR