The regular meeting of the Bruce Township Board was held on January 12, 2006 at the Bruce Township Hall with board members Gallagher, Marsh, Avery, Sawyers and LaJoie present. Absent none. Also in attendance were 8 township residents. Supervisor Gallagher called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Public Comments: There were no comments.

A public hearing was held on the proposed Hazardous Materials Incident Cost Recovery Ordinance. The proposed ordinance will establish procedures for the recovery costs incurred by the Township Fire Department associated with the responses to Hazardous Material Incidents and for recovery of other costs incurred by the Township associated with such incidents. There were no comments or concerns. The public hearing was closed.

Motion was made by LaJoie, seconded by Avery to adopt the Hazardous Materials Incident Cost Recovery Ordinance. Roll call vote – Yeas – Gallagher, LaJoie, Marsh, Avery and Sawyers. Nays – none. Ordinance was adopted.

The minutes of the regular meeting held on December 8, 2005 were presented. Motion was made by Marsh, seconded by Avery to approve the minutes as presented. All were in favor, motion carried.

Motion was made by Avery, seconded by Marsh to pay the bills. Checks # 3631 through #3684 were presented for a total of $12,943.29. All were in favor, motion carried.

County Commission Report: The Prosecuting Attorney has asked for an increase in hours and would like another assistant Prosecutor. He is also suing the County for furlough days to the employees in 2004. It has already cost between $40,000.00 and $60,000.00 in Attorney fees.

Dr. Terrian of the Chippewa County Health Department is retiring in August.

The Health Department would like people to be aware of the flu and if you have a cold for more than a week to see a Doctor.

The County is still in the process of hiring an Administrator.

  Special Meetings: The Treasurer attended a meeting of the County Chapter MTA meeting in Kinross. Evelyn David from MTA was the speaker. Since no one had forwarded any questions to her, she spoke on what happens when a vacancy occurs on the township board.

Leslie Askwith, Chippewa County Health Department’s Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, spoke on Homeland Security and the flu outbreak.

Supervisor Gallagher attended a Chippewa County Road Commission meeting. One of the issues that came up was the problem at Conley Point with all the fisherman that are parking on the road and blocking peoples driveways and mailboxes. This last Saturday there were 37 vehicles parked down there. The DNR have acquired all of the Conley Church Camp property and have agreed to clear some land in the field to provide for more parking and a turnaround.

Zoning Administrator: Mike Schmidt, Zoning Administrator, has gone to Florida for the winter. There were 68 zoning permits issued in 2005.

Planning Commission Report: The Planning Commission met on Tuesday, January 10, 2006. Election of officers was held with Lou MacDonald, Chairman, Linda Little, Vice Chairman, Carolyn Person, Secretary and Beverly Osborne as Assistant Secretary.

Discussion was held on the interpretation of variance provisions in the zoning ordinance. The Commission recognizes the need for a better understanding of requirements of the flexibility for Zoning Board of Appeals.

The Master Plan update continues to move ahead with the section on services and facilities.

Treasurers Report: The Treasurers report was read. The balance of all funds is $341,903.66. Motion was made by Avery, seconded by Marsh to accept the Treasurers report as presented. All were in favor, motion carried.

Clerks Report: There will be a Board of Review Training at Rudyard Township Community Center on February 9, 2006.

MTA will be sponsoring a Board of Review Training on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 at St.Ignace. Motion was made by LaJoie, seconded by Avery to sent 3 Board of Review members, Assessor and Supervisor to the Board of Review training on February 22, 2006. All were in favor, motion carried.

The water test for the Hall is negative with nothing detected.

A letter was read from a group called Yooper Jackpine Clan 101. They are an arm of the Shriners organization. They would like to rent the Hall on August 19^th and 20^th. Saturday would be a fund raising dinner with alcohol and Sunday a breakfast. Motion was made by Avery, seconded by Marsh to rent the Hall to the Yooper Jackpine Clan 101 on August 19^th and 20^th at a cost of $550.00. We will need a copy of the liquor license and insurance. All were in favor, motion carried.

Firemen’s Report: The Department had 1 fire call this month.

The Firemen will have a steak fry on January 22.

There is tanker truck in Daggett that is a 76 GMC that used to be a logging truck. It has a 2500gallon tank. It will be let out on bids on January 19. There is also a tanker truck in Evert that is 2000 gallon for $6,000.00. Motion was made by Gallagher, seconded by Marsh to send Trustee Marsh and Trustee Avery to look at the truck in Daggett with a bid of not to exceed $3,000.00. All were in favor, motion carried.

Grounds and Park Report: There was no report. There has been one new volunteer for the committee.

Old Business: The Zoning Ordinance has all the amendments consolidated into the ordinance. Motion was made by Gallagher, seconded by Avery that we adopt the consolidated version of the Zoning Ordinance. Roll call vote – Marsh, Avery, Gallagher, LaJoie and Sawyers. Nays – none. Ordinance was adopted.

The Annual MTA Convention will be held on January 24-27 in Grand Rapids.

New Business: Treasurer LaJoie reported that Lighthouse has a special until the end of March on satellite high speed Internet. If you sign a 3 year contract the fee will be reduced from $299.00 to $99.00 for the satellite. The cost will average out to what we pay for internet service now and we can get rid of one phone line. Motion was made by Marsh, seconded by LaJoie to purchase Wildblue satellite internet service from Lighthouse Computers. All were in favor, motion carried.

Public Comments: There were no comments.

Motion was made by Marsh, seconded by Avery to adjourn the meeting. All were in favor, motion carried. The Supervisor adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m.

Wanda Sawyers, Clerk

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