October 1, 2018 Meeting Minutes

​The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Supervisor Babcock with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.  Board members present were:  J. Heckman, R. Scheurer, J. Thelen, T. Thelen.  Absent: None.  Three citizens were present.
 
Minutes of the meeting of September 4, 2018 were presented for review.  A motion by T. Thelen to accept the minutes with the addition of $281.00 in bills paid in the General Fund for a total of $12,566.99 and the addition of $51.67 paid for a total of $1,367.43 to the Building Fund.  Motion was seconded by R. Scheurer.  Motion carried.
 
Correspondence:  None
 
Cemetery:  Sexton B. Russell: No burials last month, no lot sales, one appointment to show lots, cleaned up limbs and seeded lots.  Cemetery Chairperson Scheurer reported that Williams Asphalt are still looking to complete road work in cemetery in October.  Scheurer stated the area by the flag pole and on the hill should be repaired at the time that Williams is completing the road work.  Board agreed.  If work is not completed by October 31, it is to be postponed until spring. 
 
TREASURER’S REPORT:  Board agreed to earmark the money returned to the Township from the County of Ionia from the now closed perpetual care.  This account is to be used for the cemetery.  Supervisor Babcock will research the history of perpetual care and if this is to be part of the sale of grave sites.  After the research, the price of sites will be reviewed.  Treasurer Thelen requested payment for cost of attending seminar provided by MTA.  Requested was approved by full board.
 
Bills in the amount of $34,698.47 from the General Fund and $4,382.50 from the Building Fund were presented for payment.  A motion to pay the bills was made by T. Thelen and supported by R. Scheurer.  Motion carried.
 
TOWNSHIP BUSINESS: Michael Yerge reported his research on installing a dry well.  The cost for the dry well would be in the range of $1500.00.  Location and more research is to be completed.  Lyons and Pewamo Fire Depts. each are asked to suggest a location and report back at the Nov meeting. 
 
Clerk Heckman reported on the meeting held with the fire chiefs, B. Russell and C. Randall.  As a result of this meeting, and due to the increased cost of training and supplies, it was suggested the charge for response be increased to $350.00.  Motion made by B. Scheurer to keep the charge at the current level died from lack of support.  Motion made by T. Thelen, supported by J. Thelen to increase the charge to $300.00 passed by roll call vote.  J. Heckman, Yes; R. Scheurer, No;  J. Thelen, Yes; T Thelen, Yes; Supervisor Babcock, Yes.  Motion carried.  Increase to take effect in 2019.
 
OTHER TOWNSHIP BUSINESS:
 
J. Thelen provided a draft of the website for Lyons Township.  Treasurer Thelen stated the annual cost for the site would be $144.00.  Board was pleased with the professional design.  It was moved by T. Thelen, supported by R. Scheurer to approve the cost of the site and to begin use in January, 2019.  Treasurer Thelen also advised the Board of the cost to accept payment by credit card for tax payment and First Responder charge.  Board tabled the discussion at this time.
 
Supervisor Babcock thanked the Pewamo Fire Dept. for the successful grant writing that assisted in the purchase of the new fire truck.  Great work.  This reduced the cost of the truck to less than $10,000.00. He requested that Chief Yerge inform the media of this achievement.
 
The Board was invited to the retirement celebration of Jim Cassel on October 11, 6:00 pm at Oakwood Lounge in Pewamo. 
 
Clerk Heckman informed the Board of the next quarterly Township meeting will be held on October 8 in Saranac at 7:00 pm.
 
The review of the Lebanon Township Mutual Aid Agreement was tabled until next month.  Supervisor Babcock will contact Mr. Jim Valentine prior to review of the Mutual Aid Agreement as the Board had question on its use and if Board review and new approval was necessary. 
 
Clerk Heckman offered the following Resolutions for Board Review:
 
Audit of Exempt from Properties Tax:  Motion to approve was made by R. Scheurer, seconded by T. Thelen.  Roll call vote:  J. Heckman, Yes; R. Scheurer, Yes; J. Thelen, Yes; T. Thelen, Yes; Supervisor Babcock, Yes.  Motion carried.
 
Transfer Resolution:  Motion to approve by T. Thelen, supported by R. Scheurer.  Motion carried.
 
Letters of Appeal to Board of Review:  Motion to approve by R. Scheurer, supported by T. Thelen.  Motion carried.
 
Clerk Heckman presented the following Inspectors and Chairpersons for the November election:
Precinct 1: Chair-Nanette Wheaton, Inspectors-Barb Meyers, Aaron Ohman, Diane Babcock
Precinct 2: Chair-Maureen Harr, Inspectors-Carolle Gross, Barb Wesley, Cathy Stoddard, Carol Woods.  Precinct 3: Chair-Jody Webster, Inspectors-Connie Scheurer, Cora Leiter-Garcia, Andrew Ehrig.  Motion was made by T. Thelen, supported by J. Thelen to accept the above named.  Motion carried.
 
Heckman ask for Board approval to move the Pewamo voting to the Pewamo Village Office for the November election.  Motion to approve by R. Scheurer, supported by J. Thelen.  Motion carried.
 
BUILDING FUND: The new floor has been completed in the Post Office. Other improvements are to be reviewed in 2019:  painting where needed, tucked & pointed on south side of building & upper level to prevent future leakage.
 
The new business that has moved into the former bank bldg. will open on October 6.  The name will be River Bank Treasurers.
 
ADJOURN:  Motion to adjourn by T. Thelen, supported by R. Scheurer.  Motion carried.  Meeting
adjourned at 8:45pm.
 
 
Respectfully submitted,
 
Connie Scheurer, Deputy Clerk