BERRIEN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES

MARCH 30, 2010 MINUTES

Berrien Township Board of Trustees met on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 for the fiscal year end meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the township hall.  Supervisor Paul Bixby called the meeting to order and opened with the pledge of allegiance.

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

Also present were Fire Chief Tom Stiles and a government student Michael Machemer.

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

Julie Burke made a motion seconded by Harold Bishop to approve the end of the fiscal year bills in the amount of $34,147.87 for payment.  All ayes, none opposed.  MOTION CARRIED.

Mary Jane Dean made a motion seconded by Julie Burke to approve the joint fire bills in the amount of $29,945.10 with the township share of $19,345.05.  All ayes, none opposed.  MOTION CARRIED.

Well head protection – Supervisor had just been to a meeting in regards to sealing off abandoned wells.  Next Township Newsletter we could remind residents to seal off abandoned wells to protect contamination from surface run off if it doesn’t get a cap on it.  Also could put the information on township website.

Hall addition - The date for opening the bids has been changed to April 8^th at 2:00 p.m.

Roads – MDOT is looking for municipalities to use the Omega Paving process.  Emmet County Road Commission was contacted and they have had no frost problems with their applications.

Attorney Scott Dienes prepared a resolution to impose a moratorium on the issuance of permits or licenses for the sale or dispensation of Medical Marijuana in the Township.  The Planning Commission had previously voted to impose a moratorium for a period of eleven months.  Attorney couldn’t justify that long of a period and that six months would be more appropriate.  Much discussion: Being that it is a state law to allow growing marijuana for medical purposes we can’t stop it but if we had a special use process we would know where or who would be growing it and be able to keep a closer eye on it.  Is it legal or not to put a hold on the process?  The issue will be taken up at next Board meeting.

The following salary resolutions have no increases the last increase was a 3% cost of living in 2007.

Julie Burke made a motion seconded by Paul Sprung to adopt the salary resolution for the position of Supervisor in the amount of $18,437.00.  Roll call: Julie Burke, yes. Paul Sprung, yes. Ross Rogien, yes. Harold Bishop, yes. Mary Jane Dean, yes. Paul Bixby, yes.  Six yes votes zero no votes and one absent. MOTION CARRIED.

Julie Burke made a motion seconded by Harold Bishop to adopt the salary resolution for position of Treasurer in the amount of $18,540.00.  Roll call:  Julie Burke, yes.  Harold Bishop, yes.  Ross Rogien, yes.  Paul Bixby, yes.  Mary Jane Dean, yes. Paul Sprung, yes.  Six yes votes zero no votes and one absent.  MOTION CARRIED.     

Paul Sprung made a motion seconded by Julie Burke to adopt the salary resolution for the position of Clerk in the amount of $18,437.00.  Roll call:  Paul Sprung, yes.  Julie Burke, yes.  Harold Bishop, yes. Ross Rogien, yes. Paul Bixby, yes.  Mary Jane Dean, yes.  Six yes votes zero no votes and one absent.  MOTION CARRIED.

Paul Sprung made a motion seconded by Mary Jane Dean to adopt the salary resolution for the position of Trustees in the amount of $2,925.50 each.  Six yes votes zero no votes and one absent.  MOTION CARRIED.

Julie Burke made a motion seconded by Harold Bishop to adopt the Berrien Township General Appropriations Act with one correction in Section 6 Millage Levy should be .7171.  Roll call:  Julie Burke, yes.  Harold Bishop, yes. Ross Rogien, yes.  Paul Sprung, yes.  Paul Bixby, yes.  Mary Jane Dean, yes.  Six yes votes zero no votes and one absent. 

MOTION CARRIED.

Harold Bishop made a motion seconded by Julie Burke to adopt the Berrien Township Investment and Depository Designation resolution.  Roll call: Harold Bishop, yes. Julie Burke, yes.  Ross Rogien, yes.  Paul Sprung, yes.  Paul Bixby, yes.  Mary Jane Dean, yes.  Six yes votes zero no votes one absent.  MOTION CARRIED.

Julie Burke made a motion seconded by Harold Bishop to approve the 2010-2011 meeting dates as presented.  All ayes none opposed.  MOTION CARRIED.         

The township road committee presented a report with recommendations that they felt was priority’s for this spring.  Board should review and look at each section of road mentioned for the 2^nd meeting in April.

Julie Burke made a motion seconded by Mary Jane Dean to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 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