TOWNSHIP OF BRUCE    
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING HELD ON JUNE 12, 2008

            The regular meeting of the Bruce Township Board was held on June 12, 2008 with board members Marsh, Avery, Sawyers, Rogers and LaJoie present.  Also in attendance were 11 township residents.  The Supervisor called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

            Public Comments:  Lannie Castagne informed the board of the judgment of the Michigan Tax Tribunal.
Chuck Palmer introduced himself and announced he is running for District Judge.

            The minutes of the regular meeting held on May 8, 2008 were presented.  Motion was made by Avery, seconded by Rogers to approve the minutes as presented.  All were in favor, motion carried.

            Motion was made by LaJoie, seconded by Avery to pay the bills.  Checks # 5025 through # 5080 were issued for a total of $50,022.53.  All were in favor, motion carried.

            County Commission Report:  Commissioner LaJoie was not present.  We did receive a check for $14,760.72 for previously voted millage for the Fire Department.

            Special Meetings:  The Clerk attended a meeting in Kinross on elections.
The Supervisor attended a meeting on flood plains.  They are updating the maps and putting them on computer disks.

            Zoning Administrator:  Zoning Administrator, Mike Pins, has issued 11 zoning permits.

            Planning Commission Report:  The Planning Commission met on Tuesday, June 10, 2008.   The Commission reviewed and discussed the Lighthouse Communication Tower lease.  Payne and Dolan will be opening their pit on West 15 Mile Rd.  They also reviewed some of the zoning ordinances.

            Treasurer’s Report:  The Treasurers report was read.  The balance of all funds is $581,996.64.

            Clerk’s Report:  The National Association of Towns and Townships will hold a 2008 Legislative Conference in Washington, DC on September 30 – October1, 2008.
Spring Clean Up was held with 82 vouchers used for a total of $1,273.02.
A letter was read from the City of Sault Ste. Marie Fire Chief, Ken Eagle, informing us that there would be an increase for township ambulance coverage from $675 to $700.00.  This rate will be effective July 1, 2008.
A letter was received from Waste Management informing us of our Fuel/Environmental charge increase to a flat rate of $3.00 for small and $6.00 for large loads.  The fuel surcharge component for the Fuel/Environmental Charge remains unchanged.

            Firemen’s Report:  The Department had 2 calls last month.

            Grounds and Parks Report:  The Committee will be putting in horse shoe pits, the soccer nets are out and they will be putting up the rest of the basketball hoops when it gets dried up.  They are working on getting some more chips hauled in.

            Old Business:  Steve Mason was present from Lighthouse Computers.  A lease was presented for putting a high speed internet tower on township property.  Motion was made by LaJoie, seconded by Marsh to adopt a resolution to accept the lease from Lighthouse, contingent to approval from the Attorney.  Roll call vote – Yeas, Marsh, Avery, Rogers, Sawyers and LaJoie.  Nays – none.  Resolution adopted.

            There will be an inspection at Dunbar Park on Friday, June13 at 8:00 a.m.  The DNR are not in favor of putting fire rings at the Park.  Discussion followed and it was decided that we would not pursue putting in fire rings at this time.

            The pile of cement on the corner of 7 Mile and M-129 is scheduled to be crushed sometime in the next week.

            Land Division was presented by Treasurer LaJoie for the Grant Farm on the corner of M-129 and Tone Rd.  Mr. Jim Stain will purchase 4.72 acres.  Motion was made by LaJoie, seconded by Avery to accept the Grant Farm division.  All were in favor, motion carried.

            New Business:  Payne and Dolan will be moving into their pit on the south side of 15 Mile Rd., west of M-129 for six to eight weeks.  They will be removing the rest of the gravel in that pit.

            A contract was presented from the Chippewa County Road Commission for improvement on 16 Mile Rd., west of M-129.  Motion was made by Avery, seconded by Rogers enter into an agreement with Chippewa County Road Commission to improve 16 Mile Road, west of M-129 in Bruce Township for a distance of 0.43 miles.  Improvements will consist of clearing, sand sub base and gravel shoulders at a cost to the Township of $11,035.00.  All were in favor, motion carried.
The County Surveyor stated that they will be starting on Nicolet Rd. and are in the process of getting permits for 7 ½ Mile Rd. 

            The County is interested in doing some ditching on short areas of roads that have water problems.  We need to decide what roads need the work and the cost before the next meeting.  Treasurer LaJoie stated we have the Metro money that is suppose to be used for ditching.

            A letter was received from a gentleman from St. Ignace interested in developing a ship watch park.  The proposal is to work up an agreement between Bruce Township and the Corp of Engineers to establish this park on the property owned by the Corp of Engineers at the Rock Cut.  He believes there may be grants available from Michigan Water Ways Commission.  The Board is willing to meet with him at his convenience. 

            We need to add 5 line items to our budget for Website Tech and FICA, Lawn Mowing and FICA and Mileage.  Motion was made by LaJoie, seconded by Marsh to add these 5 items to the General Budget with amounts to be brought to the next meeting.  All were in favor, motion carried.

            Public Comments:  The Sportsman Club will be having a Father’s Day Breakfast from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

            Motion was made by Avery, seconded by Rogers to adjourn the meeting.  All were in favor, motion carried.  The Supervisor adjourned the meeting at 7:50 p.m.

______________________________
Wanda Sawyers, Clerk

_______________________________
Carl Marsh, Supervisor 

Next board meeting July 10, 2008