Dalton Township
Board Meeting Minutes of June 9, 2008
Draft

Meeting called to Order at 7:00 P.M. by Scott Hladki, Supervisor. The Pledge of Allegiance was said and Invocation given.

Motion by Rosemary with support by Lynn for Stephanie Barrett to act as recording secretary. All in favor. Motion Carried.

Members Present: Scott Hladki, Rosemary Rinella, Mike Hiner, Diane Misze,
Lynn Young, and Elizabeth (Petsy) Jenkins.
Members Absent: Mary Ellen Sherwood (due to attendance at a Clerk's Conference).

Minutes: The regular meeting minutes of May 12, 2008 were accepted as presented and placed on file. The special meeting minutes of May 28, 2008 were accepted with one wordage change from Petsy and to be placed on file.

Public Comment: None.

Treasurer's Report: Diane asked about two receipts in the fire department. Gary said one was for reimbursement for a front end alignment and the second was for the sale of a fire truck. The Treasurer's report was accepted and placed on file for audit.

Monthly Bills: Diane and Petsy questioned four of the bills. Scott, Gary, and Keith answered. Scott was unsure about a $459.00 bill that Diane questioned and said he would check with Mary Ellen.
Motion by Mike with support by Rosemary to approve the monthly bills as submitted. Mike - yes, Rosemary - yes, Lynn - yes, Petsy - yes, Diane - yes, Scott - yes. Motion Carried.

Fire Department: Fire Chief, Gary Furman, submitted the Incident Log for May 2008. There were 42 alarms with an average response time of just over 7 minutes.

Cemetery: Sexton, Gary Furman, had nothing to report this month.

Maintenance Department: Maintenance Supervisor, Keith Ostoin, informed the Board that the free dump day went well. He noted that the brush piles at the Transfer Station were getting out of hand. He said they will have to do another burn. He also noted that the 6 inch chipper will cost more than the $3500.00 that the Board approved but said it will pay for itself in one year.

Compliance Officer: Frank Swiatek was not present but provided a written report for the Board. He wrote that there were 43 reports so far this year with 7 reports closed and 6 open and pending. He said he has issued no new tickets. He also noted that 6 letters have been sent out.

Tax Foreclosed Properties: Scott presented the Board with the list of foreclosed properties from the County. He noted that one parcel listed is in the Equestrian Trail area and asked if the Township wanted to purchase this parcel. He said he has asked the County to donate the property to the Township or to waive the penalties and interest but they will not. The cost to purchase the parcel is $312.40. The Board agreed to wait for the property to revert.

Resolution for Charitable Gaming License for Rocking Horse House: Scott said the questions the Board had last month regarding this request were answered in letters that were in the packets. Steve Corwin and Thoa Du were present to represent Rocking Horse House. Thoa Du spoke on behalf of Rocking Horse House and said it was a nonprofit organization that provides services for unwed mothers. She said no one lives in the house. Diane noted that Rocking Horse House also helps to find houses for the unwed mothers. Petsy asked if these will be occasional fundraisers. Thoa Du said yes.
Motion by Diane with support by Lynn to allow the gaming license as requested.
Diane - yes, Lynn - yes, Mike - yes, Petsy - yes, Rosemary - yes, Scott - yes. Motion Carried.

Boston Mutual Life Insurance: Scott said the current life insurance policy is for $20,000.00 and the new insurance policy would be $40,000.00 for $57.49 more per quarter. Petsy asked for documentation. Scott said Mary Ellen provided a memo dated June 5, 2008. Petsy asked about combined life insurance-short term disability coverage. Diane agreed with Petsy that the Board needed more information on this. The issue was tabled until next month.

New Law Firm for Craig Rolfe: Scott said Craig Rolfe was leaving the law firm of Baukham Sparks and was requesting that the Township remain with him as a client. Scott noted that Craig is representing the Township in the Circuit Court. Craig will be leaving Baukham Sparks July 7, 2008. Scott noted that Jim Porter (the Township's former attorney) may join Craig in the new law firm. Motion by Rosemary with support by Diane to approve remaining with Craig Rolfe. Rosemary - yes, Diane - yes,
Lynn - yes, Petsy - yes, Mike - yes, Scott - yes. Motion Carried.

Board Comment: Scott informed the Board that the Health Dept has received a grant so they will continue to monitor the water quality at Padley Park. Mike said his neighborhood has been having issues with dirt bikes and quads. He asked if Gary could speak to one of the police officers when they are next door. Gary said he will. Petsy spoke of the clean up at the Equestrian Trail. She said they got quite a bit done. She said they had 2 crews working. She said the parking and signage would be the next to be worked on. Diane said the class she went to on June 2, 2008 at Muskegon Community College was a good class and recommended others to go. She said it was regarding the new zoning and planning enabling acts.

Public Comment: Brock Rosema, 6516 Blue Lake Road, thanked Mary Ellen for her help after the last meeting and thanked the Board as well. He apologized to the Board saying he thought they were aware of the issues affecting his family. He spoke of the issues - the stumps, the pond, and the equipment. He said his family feels harassed. He said the ponds and stumps do not present a danger as they are on his property. He also brought up the attorney fees. Scott asked Mr. Rosema to provide a letter to the Board so they could review it if his comments were going to be more than 2 minutes. Connie Burchfield, 3966 Beattie Road, asked Scott to address the attorney fees and asked if the Township has a PINS officer again. Scott said the attorney fees were due to the appeals cases regarding the sewer. He said the Township does not have a PINS officer.
Ms. Burchfield asked why there is a sheriff car parked at the Fire Dept. Scott said the officer is parking his car next door because he cannot bring his car home so he leaves it next door. Will Shanafelt, 2994 Lakeshore, provided photographs with addresses on them to file as complaints. He said there are safety issues involved. He said people backing out of his driveway cannot see well. June Saltzman, 6527 Blue Lake Road, said she has been Mr. Rosema's neighbor for 5-6 years. She said it has not been a pleasant place to live. She spoke of Mr. Rosema's trucks and equipment traveling the road everyday. She said this is still going on. The Board discussed the policy of allowing the public to speak for 2 minutes. Petsy noted that Neighborhood Investment took up a lot of time.

Closed Session: Motion by Diane with support by Mike to move into closed session to discuss current litigation. Diane - yes, Mike - yes, Petsy - yes, Lynn - yes, Rosemary - yes, Scott - yes. Motion Carried at 7:47 PM.
Motion to resume open session at 8:07 PM by Diane with support by Rosemary. All in favor. Motion Carried.

Adjournment:
Motion by Mike, support by Lynn, Passed to adjourn at 8:08 P.M. All in favor.

Respectfully,

Stephanie Barrett