TOWNSHIP OF BRUCE
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING HELD ON MAY 8, 2008
The regular meeting of the Bruce Township Board was held on May 8, 2008 at the Bruce Township Hall with board members Marsh, Avery, Rogers, LaJoie and Sawyers present. Absent none. Also in attendance were 11 township residents. The Supervisor called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Dan Rogers, our new Trustee on the board was introduced.
Public Comments: Lannie Castagne inquired as to the status on the information she had requested at the last meeting about the Bruce Township Board of Review decision. Treasurer LaJoie responded to some of her questions.
Lylene Hillman spoke on the condition of W.16 Mile Rd. The Supervisor
is trying to find some solutions to help.
Cloverland Electric will be performing right –of-way maintenance along power lines and it was suggested that we see if they will be cleaning up the debris that is left in the ditches. The Supervisor will call Mr. Eagle.
Elizabeth Church introduced herself and announced she is running for District Judge.
The minutes of the regular meeting held on April 10, 2008 were presented. Motion was made by Avery, seconded by LaJoie to approve the minutes as presented. All were in favor, motion carried.
The minutes of the Special Meeting held on April 24, 2008 were presented. Motion was made LaJoie, seconded by Avery to approve the minutes as presented. All were in favor, motion carried.
Motion was made by Avery, seconded by LaJoie to pay the bills. Checks # 4975 through # 5024 were issued for a total of $31,445.43. All were in favor, motion carried.
County Commission Report: Commissioner LaJoie had just attended a meeting where one Commissioner was trying to have a code of ethics put in place. Bruce Township Fire Department should be getting a refund within the next week or two for previously voted millage.
Special Meeting: There were no special meetings.
Zoning Administrator: Zoning Administrator, Mike Pins, issued 4 zoning permits this month. He has also had 4 complaints which have been handled. Zoning Amendment #9 has been published and went into effect May 7, 2008.
Planning Commission Report: The Planning Commission met on Tuesday, May 6, 2008. There are 3 new members on the Planning Commission. Election of officers was held with Carolyn Person, Chairman, Linda Little, Vice Chairman, and Marjorie Mitchell as Secretary. Next month they will be going over the Zoning Ordinances.
Treasurer’s Report: The Treasurers report was read. The balance of all funds is $588,615.09. Motion was made by Avery, seconded by Marsh to accept the Treasurers report. Motion carried.
Clerk’s Report: A letter was received from the Chippewa County Road Commission informing us that they no longer keep excess chloride on hand. The Township would be required to buy in bulk and to store any amounts we would order. No action was taken.
The MTA Spring District Meeting will be held in St. Ignace on May 30, 2008.
MTA will sponsor a workshop on “Managing Human Resources in the Township” in Ann Arbor on June 3, 2008.
Municipal Underwriters of Michigan now offers a new option on our insurance. We can renew our policy with a $250.00 or $500.00 deductible. Motion was made by LaJoie, seconded by Avery to renew our policy with a $500.00 deductible. All were in favor, motion carried.
Firemen’s Report: There were no fire calls this month.
All people who took the extrication classes passed.
The person who is taking the EMT class will need another $70.00 for classes.
The new tanker truck needs new tires.
Grounds and Park Report: There was no report.
Old Business: Lighthouse Computers are interested in putting a high speed internet tower on township property. The Township will receive high speed internet with upgrades and high speed internet will be available to Bruce Township residents in the parking lot. We will bring our requests to Lighthouse and wait for the Lawyers to get back to us.
We have a new person who will be doing our website.
We will be doing brine on the roads when the roads dry up.
Spring Clean Up will be held on May 16, 17 and May 30 and 31.
The Township will pay for the first 500 lbs.
New Business: The big refrigerator in the kitchen couldn’t be repaired so we have purchased a new one. The hot water heater and pressure tank also had to be replaced.
Discussion was held on the cost of hauling the recycle trailer. Motion was made by LaJoie, seconded by Marsh to increase the cost of hauling the recycle to $100.00 a trip. In favor, Marsh, Rogers, Avery and LaJoie. Abstain, Sawyers. Motion carried.
Carolyn Person would like to donation a picture of a farmhouse in Bruce Township. Motion was made by LaJoie, seconded by Marsh to allow historical prints to be displayed in the Township Hall at the discretion of the Historical Society. All were in favor, motion carried.
Carolyn Person is requesting $250.00 for flowers and bricks for the flower garden. Motion was made by Rogers, seconded by Marsh to give $250.00 toward flowers and bricks for the flower garden. In favor, Sawyers, Marsh, Rogers and LaJoie. Opposed, Avery. Motion carried.
Land Division was presented by Steve Cannello for the Grant farm on the corner of M-129 and Tone Rd. Mr. Jim Stain would like to purchase 4.72 acres of land. We have not heard from Sharon Kennedy on the application for land division and it was agreed to table the land division until we have more information.
Public Comments: The question was asked when you get a building permit if OSHA is notified. The township only issues a zoning permit.
The question was asked if Amendment #9 was signed. It came into effect on May 7, 2008.
Motion was made by Rogers, seconded by LaJoie to adjourn the meeting. All were in favor, motion carried. The Supervisor adjourned the meeting at 8:13 p.m.
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Wanda Sawyers, Clerk
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Carl Marsh, Supervisor