DALTON TOWNSHIP REGULAR BOARD MEETING-APRIL 14, 2008, 7:00 P.M.

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Scott Hladki, Mary Ellen Sherwood, Rosemary Rinella, Mike Hiner, Elizabeth (Petsy) Jenkins and Diane Misze.

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Lynn Young.

Supervisor, Scott Hladki, called the meeting to order at the Dalton Township Hall. The Pledge of Allegiance said, invocation given and roll call taken.

MINUTES:
The regular township board meeting minutes of March 10, 2008 and the special board meeting minutes of March 24, 2008, were accepted as submitted and placed on file.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None.

TREASURER'S REPORT:
As of March 31, 2008, the General Fund has $214,694.61, Fire Operating Fund has $213,181.78, and Fire Equipment Fund has $14,820.51. There is $244,486.35 in the Co-Merica J-Fund. The Treasurer's Report was accepted and placed on file for audit. An income report for March 2008 for the General and Fire Funds was also submitted. Rosemary stated that $50,000.00 was transferred from the general fund checking into the J-fund, interest bearing account.

MONTHLY BILLS:
Motion by Rosemary, support by Mike, PASSED to approve the monthly bills as submitted. Yes: Rosemary, Mike, Diane, Petsy, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: none.

General Fund bills totaling $46,594.80, through check number 19630, Fire Fund $29,445.73 through check number 10025, Cemetery Fund $1,214.54 through check number 971, Street Light Fund $1,297.25 through check number 484. Bills were also paid from the building fund, and other self-supporting miscellaneous funds.

FIRE BUSINESS:
Fire Captain, Joe Balder, submitted the Incident Log for March 2008. There were 40 calls with an average response time of 8.21 minutes.

Joe stated that the fire department needs to replace the power unit to operate the HURST tool (extrication equipment). The cost for this equipment is $7,235.00. Joe stated this is a budgeted item. Petsy asked if bids were sought for this purchase. Joe stated that this item has to be purchased from HURST so no other bids were sought.

Motion by Mike, support by Rosemary, PASSED to approve the equipment purchase as stated for $7,235.00. Yes: Mike, Rosemary, Diane, Petsy, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: none.

MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT:
Maintenance Supervisor, Keith Ostoin, stated the summer help started work today. A proposed equipment purchase was discussed. Diane stated that she would check on a used price for this equipment, which is a rake that connects to the tractor. No action was taken.

BUILDING DEPARTMENT:
Building Inspector, Chris Hall, stated at our previous meeting that a garage collapsed at 5715 Dalson Road. Chris requested that the board give him and the attorney authorization to proceed with legal action after 30 days from the date of his letter, if necessary, with regard to the demolition of building(s) at this location. The board approved this request at the last meeting. Tonight Chris is requesting the board's permission to advertise for bids to demolish the dangerous building in the event that the bank (legal owner of said property) does not address this issue.

Motion by Diane, support by Petsy, PASSED approve the advertisement for bids to demolish the dangerous building(s) at 5715 Dalson Road, after the paperwork and necessary steps have been taken by the attorney. Yes: Diane, Petsy, Rosemary, Mike, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: none.

COST SHARE FOR THE TWIN LAKE FIREWORKS:
Motion by Mike, support by Diane, PASSED to approve annual cost share for the Twin Lake Fireworks in the amount of $500.00. Yes: Mike, Diane, Rosemary, Petsy, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: none.

UPDATE OF PARKS AND RECREATION PLAN:
Scott stated that the Township's Parks and Recreation Plan expired this year and needs to be updated. He suggested that Fleis and Vandenbrink Engineering, Inc. do the update for $4,850.00 as stated in a proposal received from this firm. Mary Ellen stated that the parks and recreation grant that Fleis and Vandenbrink was preparing for submission this year will have to be submitted next year as the Plan has expired. Mary Ellen stated that the proposal received may be the least amount as this engineering firm created the original Parks and Recreation five-year plan; however, prices from other engineering firms should be sought. Petsy agreed and stated since the grant can not be applied for this year, then there is time to request proposals from other engineering firms for this service. Petsy requested that Scott solicit at least two other quotes for this item before approving the proposal received.

Motion by Petsy, support by Diane, PASSED for Scott to get proposals from at least two other engineering firms to update the Township's Parks and Recreation Plan five-year plan. Yes: all.

BOARD COMMENT:
Scott stated that Stephanie made the changes to the sewer hardship application as the board requested. He asked board members to review the revised application and email him with any changes. Scott stated that Next IT, is a company that he has working for the township to alleviate junk email. He states the cost for the service is $420.00 per year, billed monthly.

Petsy stated that the township's Equestrian Trail needs posts and signs. She stated that she has some, and asked Keith, the maintenance supervisor, if he found any posts to use for this purpose. Discussion followed. Petsy stated that she has the brochure for the Trail about three quarters percent completed. County Commissioner, Chuck Buzzell, inquired about the location of the equestrian trail. Petsy stated it is located at Automobile and Michillinda Roads. Further discussion followed. Mary Ellen thanked Petsy for all her vision to create the Trail, the free work, materials, and time on this project.

Mary Ellen stated that board members received a letter from the Zoning Administrator, Stephanie Barrett, regarding a joint meeting of the township board and the planning commission with a date set for Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. This meeting was called to discuss a
re-zone request and paving issues in the Resource Conservation/Agricultural District. Mary Ellen stated that the zoning administrator cannot call a meeting for the board. Scott stated that he would not be at this meeting and stated the letter should state that it is a planning commission meeting and board members are welcome to attend and make comments.

Mary Ellen stated that attorney fees regarding the employment contract revisions have exceeded $700.00 and she believes the costs to change this document are getting excessive.

Mary Ellen stated before the board meets again next month the deadline to file for township offices will be one day away. She suggested if current board members want the paperwork to
re-file for office to get it from her tonight after the meeting. She stated that she has passed out twelve sets of paperwork for filings thus far.

Mary Ellen stated that she received a letter from the State of Michigan, Liquor Control Commission. The letter states that the business located at 2210 Holton Road (Ray's Mini-Mart) has applied for a new specially designated distributor license to be held in conjunction with the existing specially designated merchant license. She states the board has 15 days from the date of the letter to send the State any comments, objections, etc. She requested if any board members wish to make any comments regarding this matter to contact her right away.

PUBLIC COMMENT:
County Commissioner, Chuck Buzzell, spoke and announced that he will be running for a fourth term for county commissioner. He gave the board information regarding current issues at the county level. He discussed many issues and answered questions of the board.

ADJOURNMENT:
Motion by Rosemary, support by Mike, PASSED to adjourn the meeting at 7:43 p.m. Yes: all.
DALTON TOWNSHIP BOARD
Scott Hladki Supervisor
Mary Ellen Sherwood Clerk
Rosemary Rinella Treasurer
Michael Hiner Trustee
Elizabeth Jenkins Trustee
Diane Misze Trustee
Lynn Young Trustee

Clerk__________________________
Mary Ellen Sherwood