The Regular Meeting of the Vernon Township Board was held on April 5, 2010 at 6:32 p.m. Members present: Jeff Bean (Supervisor), Vicky Louch (Treasurer), Mike Turner (Trustee), Jacob McConnell (Trustee), Loren Cole (Clerk), and Julie Cole (Deputy Clerk). Members absent: None.
The meeting was called to order at 6:32 p.m. by J. Bean who led in the Pledge to the Flag.
M. Turner made the motion and V. Louch seconded to approve and accept the minutes from last meeting and to approve and accept the agenda for this meeting. Motion carried.
Visitors present: Kevin Cotter (candidate for State Representative), Christine Alwood (candidate for State Representative), Gordon Gilchrist (resident), Lee Cole (resident), Paul Cole (resident), Brent Duffett (resident), and Tom Fetters (family of a recently deceased lady that was buried in Vernon Cemetery).
Kevin Cotter and Christine Alwood both talked about the upcoming election and their views on some of the current issues. Brent Duffett expressed his concerns about a drain issue in front of his home. Tom Fetters spoke during the topic of Cemetery Burial rates for cremations under New Business. He expressed, for his family, their concern about the present rates.
Supervisor's Report
1. Roads:
a. Quotes Received
I. Chip Seal Whiteville from Coleman to Dead End: $ 4,827.06
II. Chip Seal Whiteville from Herrick to Co. Line: $22,643.42
III. Gravel McFarland from Vernon to Battle: $23,681.98
b. Also requested quotes for:
I. Drainage-Gravel Doherty from Crawford to Lincoln
II. Drainage-Limestone Stevenson Lake at Hall
c. County Commission Hearing on Road Millage on April 6th at County Building.
2. Property Tax: Board of Review finished in March.
3. Zoning:
a. Appointments to ZBA & Planning Commission are still open.
b. The Zoning Officer is working on the Stevenson Lake Road burned house.
4. Other:
a. The Due Diligence between INEFD board and Denver Township will be part of the meeting of the INEFD board on April 13.
b. Discussion regarding checks and balances of the different funds included the clerk needing to set up a company in the bookkeeping program for the Central MI Credit Union Prime Interest account. Discussion continued about the possibility of 2 bank statements-one for the treasurer and one for the clerk.
c. J. Bean discussed with the Board a CAFD incident that occurred on Vernon Hill.
Clerk's Report.
1. Cemetery: The markers have been set on the outside rows of the main cemetery. More markers will be purchased for the new property.
2. Miscellaneous: Reminder about the Isabella MTA meeting for April 21st at 7 p.m. in the County building. The topic will be the 14 point review.
Treasurer's Report
1. Financial Report as of : March 31, 2010
General Fund Checking............................. $96,414.04
Waste Management.................................. $82,807.00
Vernon City Highway Lighting.................... $ 1,842.00
Vernon Twp Perpetual Care Savings............. $ 2,674.46
Vernon Twp Cemetery CD _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ $ 29,185.79
CMCFCU-Prime Access Acct as of 12-31-09 _ $50,498.90
First Bank CD_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ $23,156.86
2. Review and Pay Bills:
Motion made by M. Turner to pay bills as presented in the amount of $30,066.54. Seconded by J. McConnell. Motion carried. See attachment of bills paid.
Trustees' Report
1. J. McConnell: No report.
2. M. Turner: No report.
ld Business:
1. L. Cole made the motion to table the consideration of the Amendment to the By Laws allowing for revision of the representative term for the INEFD. Seconded by V. Louch. Motion passed.
2. L. Cole made the motion to table the consideration of the Denver Township's request to add on an area to the INEFD district. The Coleman fire department needs one year's notice for the Denver Township to pull out of their district. Seconded by J. McConnell. Motion passed.
New Business
1. A Fireworks Display permit was considered for Robert Denton. The event would be held on May 15, 2010 at 1399 E. Doherty Rd., Clare, MI. This is an annual event. Last year the stipulation was that the pipes could not be over 18 inches. His application is present and his insurance. V. Louch made the motion to authorize the permit with the limit of the 18 inch or smaller pipes and Robert Denton signing the necessary documents. Seconded by J. McConnell. Motion passed.
2. There was discussion about the present Cemetery Burial rates for Cremations. It was decided to discuss the Cemetery Ordinance next month.
Adjournment:
V. Louch made the motion to adjourn and it was seconded by J. McConnell. Motion carried. This meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m. on April 5, 2010.
Respectfully Submitted
L. Cole, Clerk
J. Bean, Supervisor
V. Louch, Treasurer
M. Turner, Trustee
J. McConnell, Trustee