TOWNSHIP OF BRUCE
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETNG HELD ON MARCH 12, 2009

            The regular meeting of the Bruce Township Board was held on March 12, 2009 at the Bruce Township Hall with board members Marsh, Avery, Rogers, Sawyers and LaJoie present.  Also in attendance were 6 township residents.  The Supervisor called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

            Public Comments:  There were no comments.

            The minutes of the regular meeting held on February 12, 2009 were presented.  Motion was made by Rogers, seconded by LaJoie to approve the minutes as presented.  All were in favor, motion carried. 

            Motion was made by LaJoie, seconded by Rogers to pay the bills.  Checks #5413 through # 5466 were presented for a total of $26,801.88.  All were in favor, motion carried.

            County Commission Report:  Don McLean, County Commissioner, stated the new jail house edition is nearly completed.  There will be an open house at a later date.
The Sheriff Department will have 2 new deputies to cover night patrol with the cost being covered by a grant for three years.
The Prosecutor’s Office has added an Assistant Prosecutor.
The District Court Judge has added a full time Magistrate.
Work is being done on the accounting system.
The sound system in the District Court will be improved.

            Reports of Special Meetings:  The Supervisor attended the last MTA meeting at the 911 Center. 
The Road Commission will have a meeting on Monday, March 16, 2009 to determine how the stimulus money will be used.
The road work in Bruce Township will be started when the frost goes out of the ground.

            Zoning Administrator:  There was no report.

            Planning Commission:  Marge Mitchell, chairman of the Planning Commission, reported on the public hearing that was held on Wednesday, March 11, 2009.  A copy of the proposed changes and additions to Zoning Ordinance #28.605D was presented to the Township Board.  The Board will vote on the changes at the April meeting.

            Treasurer’s Report:  The Treasurer’s report was read.  The balance of all funds is $693,956.60.   Motion was made by Rogers, seconded by Sawyers to accept the report as presented.  Motion carried.

            Clerk’s Report:  MTA will be holding a seminar in Lansing on April 23, 2009 on ‘How Boards Make Decisions’ and ‘Making Meetings Work More Effectively’.
On May 11, 2009 in Gaylord a workshop will be held on ‘Come to Order: Making Parliamentary Procedure Work’.

            Firemen’s Report:  There was one call for a car accident.  They are working on reports for risk management.

            Grounds and Parks Report:  There was no report.

            Old Business:  The Planning Commission Resolution has not come back from the Lawyer.                     

            New Business:  The Trustees would like an increase in wages.  Motion was made by LaJoie, seconded by Marsh to increase the Trustee Salary to $130.00 a meeting and $50.00 for any addition meetings.  All were in favor, motion carried.

            The Michigan Emergency Management Assistance Compact is asking for a resolution that authorizes the State and it political subdivisions to provide emergency aid assistance in the event of a disaster.  The resolution was tabled until the April meeting.

            The following General Fund Budget adjustments were made:

Motion was made by Sawyers, seconded by Marsh to increase Treasurer Office Supplies #727 by $100.00 and decrease #694, Contingency by $100.00.  Motion carried.

            Motion was made by Sawyers, seconded by LaJoie to increase Board of Review Salary #702 by $120.00 and decrease #694, Contingency by $120.00.  Motion carried.
Motion was made by Sawyers, seconded by Rogers to increase Electricity #920 by $230.00 and decrease #694, Contingency by $230.00.  Motion carried.
Motion was made by Sawyers, seconded by LaJoie to transfer $1,470.00 to Web Tech Salary 702 and decrease #694, Contingency by $1,470.00.  Motion carried.
Motion was made by Sawyers, seconded by Roger to transfer $115.00 to Web Tech FICA #715 and decrease #694, Contingency by $115.00.  Motion carried.

            The following Zoning Fund Budget adjustment was made:

            Motion was made by Sawyers, seconded by Marsh to increase Zoning Administrator Salary #702 by $160.00 and decrease #694, Contingency by $160.00.  Motion carried.
Motion was made by Sawyers, seconded by LaJoie to increase FICA #715 by $30.00 and decrease #694, Contingency by $30.00.  Motion carried.

            The following Fire and Ambulance Budget adjustment was made:

            Motion was made by Sawyers, seconded by Marsh to increase Contractual Service by $2,000.00 and decrease General Fund Contingency #694 by $2,000.00.  Motion carried.

            The following Fire Equipment Budget adjustment was made:

            Motion was made by Sawyers, seconded by LaJoie to increase Equipment #977 by $7,000.00 and decrease General Fund Budget Contingency #694 by $7,000.00.  Motion carried.

            The Annual Meeting will be Saturday, March 28, 3009 at 9:00 a.m.

            The Township Hall is need of a new roof.  A bid package will be ready for the April meeting.

            Public Comments:  There were no comments.

            Motion was made by Rogers, seconded by LaJoie to adjourn the meeting.  All were in favor, motion carried.  The Supervisor adjourned the meeting at 7:35 p.m.

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Wanda Sawyers, Clerk                           

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Carl Marsh, Supervisor