TOWNSHIP OF BRUCE 
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 14, 2008

            The regular meeting of the Bruce Township Board was held on February 14, 2008 at the Bruce Township Hall with board members Gallagher, Marsh, Avery, Sawyers and LaJoie present.  Absent none.  Also in attendance were 27 township residents.  The Supervisor called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

            Public Comments:  Judie Fischer clarified some statements that were made at the Planning Commission.

            The minutes of the regular meeting held on January 10, 2008 were presented.  Motion was made by Marsh, seconded by LaJoie 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 # 4836 through # 4880 were issued for a total of $ 17,958.61.  All were in favor, motion carried.

            County Commission Report:  The Commission has had a busy month.           
The bid has gone out for the jail expansion.
The County is in the process of purchasing the City County Building.
The Commission is in the process of hiring a County Controller.

            Special Meetings:  There were no special meetings.

            Zoning Administrator:  There were no permits issued this month.

            Planning Commission Report:  The Planning Commission met on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 with good public attendance.  The next scheduled meeting will be on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 because of a conflict with Board of Review. 

            At the meeting, the Commission reviewed the draft of revisions to the Master Plan text.
Revisions were also made to the future land use map.
A public hearing will be held on Wednesday, March 12, 2008.  Copies of the text references and the draft zoning ordinance and maps will be available at the Township office after the first of March.

            Treasurer’s Report:  The Treasurers report was read.  The balance of all funds is $384,052.90.  Motion was made by Marsh, seconded by Avery to accept the Treasurers report.  Motion carried.

            Clerk’s Report:  A letter was read from Waste Management informing us that our next invoice will reflect a rate adjustment to cover increased costs.
The routine kitchen food service inspection was held with no violations. 
The big refrigerator needs to be checked.
The MTA Capital Conference will be held on March 11, 2008 at the Radisson Hotel in Lansing, MI.

            Firemen’s Report:  The Department had 4 calls this month.
The Department is looking at a 2500 gal. tanker in New York for $30,000.00  It is a 82 Mack with a stainless steel body and tank.  Trustee Marsh would like to have more information on details, pictures and cost.

            Grounds and Parks Report:  There was no report.

            Old Business:  The Township Board had agreed to take under consideration at the next board meeting the resolution for the removal of Lou MacDonald from the Planning Commission.  The Supervisor sought legal council and was advised not to go into closed session.  The reasons for removal weren’t submitted with the petitions and this is an illegal petition.  It was an advisory petition.  The Supervisor called several people who had signed the petition and was given varied reasons as to why they signed the petition.  After calling MTA council, Evelyn David, we were told that the Supervisor appoints the Planning Commission members with the approval of the township board and is the one who can remove them with the approval of the township board.  In essence, the Supervisor is the one who must call for the removal of a Planning Commission member.  The Supervisor stated that the work that Lou MacDonald has done has been phenomenal and he finds some of these reasons false and hard to believe.  His term of office will be up in April and it is the Supervisor’s recommendation that he stay until his term is up and at this time if he decides he wants to stay or go, it will be brought to the township board. 

            New Business:  A salary resolution was presented by the Supervisor to remain at $13,600.00 for the following year.   Motion was made by Marsh, seconded by Avery to accept the resolution.  Roll Call vote – Aye, Marsh, LaJoie, Sawyers, Gallagher and Avery.  Nay – 0.  Resolution adopted.
A salary resolution was presented by the Clerk to remain at $13,000.00 for the following year.  Motion was made by Marsh, seconded by LaJoie to accept the resolution.  Roll Call vote – Aye, Marsh, Sawyers, Avery, Gallagher and LaJoie.  Nay – 0.  Resolution adopted.
A salary resolution was presented by the Treasurer to remain at $12,600.00.  Motion was made by Sawyers, seconded by Marsh to accept the resolution.  Roll Call vote – Aye, Sawyers, Marsh, LaJoie and Gallagher.  Nay – Avery.  Resolution adopted.

            The following budget adjustments were made:
Motion was made by Sawyers, seconded by LaJoie to increase Election Salary # 702, by $565.00 and decrease #694, Contingency by $565.00.  All were in favor, motion carried.
Motion was made by Sawyers, seconded by Avery to increase Printing #900, by $50.00 and decrease Contingency #694 by $50.00.  All were in favor, motion carried.
Motion was made by Sawyers, seconded by Avery to increase Telephone #850, by $300.00 and decrease Contingency #694 by $300.00.  All were in favor, motion carried.  
Motion was made by Sawyers, seconded by Marsh to increase Equipment #977, $2000.00 and decrease #694 by $2,000.00.  All were in favor, motion carried.

            The Board of Review dates are Monday, March 10, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and on Tuesday March 11, 2008 from 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

            Land Division was presented for Lorraine Pope Estate on E. 14 Mile Rd.  Motion was made by Marsh, seconded by LaJoie to accept the land division as presented.  All were in favor, motion carried.

            The Treasurer reported that Manatron has been sold. 

            Public Comments:  Carolyn Person and Shirley Patrick reported on work the Historical Society has been doing on Bruce Township.  They meet on Monday afternoons and invited anyone interested to join them.

            The Treasurer read a letter addressed to the Bruce Township Board by a person who could not attend the meeting.  It offered comments regarding the “Master Plan” and the removal of Mr. MacDonald from any appointed position in Bruce Township.

            A lengthy discussion followed pertaining to the Planning Commission and the proposed land use map.

            Motion was made by Marsh, seconded by LaJoie to adjourn the meeting.  All were in favor, motion carried.  The Supervisor adjourned the meeting at 9:10 p.m. 

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Wanda Sawyers, Clerk

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Daniel Gallagher, Supervisor