TOWNSHIP OF BRUCE

MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING HELD ON SEPTEMBER 10,2009

            The regular meeting of the Bruce Township Board was held on September 10, 2009 at the Bruce Township Hall with board members Marsh, Avery, Rogers, Sawyers and LaJoie present.  Absent none.  Also in attendance were 3 township residents and Attorney Charles Palmer. The Supervisor called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

            Public Comments:  There were no comments.

            The minutes of the regular meeting held on August 13, 2009 were presented.  Motion was made by Avery, seconded by LaJoie 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 #5703 through # 5733 were presented for a total of $ 37,039.94.  All were in favor, motion carried.

            County Commissioner Report:  The County Commissioner was not present.

            Reports of Special Meetings:  There were no special meetings.

            Zoning Administrator:  There have been 27 permits issued.  There have been 9 for new homes.

            Planning Commission Report:  There was no meeting in September.

            Treasurer’s Report:  The Treasurers report was read.  The balance of all funds is $659,962.20.  Motion was made by Avery, seconded by Sawyers to accept the Treasurer’s report as read.  Motion carried.

            Clerk’s Report:  There was no correspondence.

            Firemen’s Report:  The Department has 3 calls.  Two were smoke investigations and one for an airplane wreck.

            Grounds and Park Report:  The Recreation Committee had one meeting.  The new volley ball nets are here and will be put up in the spring.

            Old Business:  At the August Board Meeting it was decided to cancel our contract with Waste Management and to have Smith Sanitation provide us with a dumpster.  We received a letter from Waste Management stating that we were prematurely canceling our agreement and would have to pay $1109.34 and a removal fee of $150.00.  The contract was signed in September 2006 for 3 years but on the back of the contract in fine print it states that unless they had 90 days notice of cancellation it would automatically renew for 36 months.  Attorney Palmer’s advice is to discontinue using the dumpster and not pay any more bills and see what happens.

            Discussion was held on the house on 7 Mile Rd. that burned about 3 years ago and has not been cleaned up.  Attorney Palmer advised us to do a lien or title search on the property to find out the owner or owners and then notify the owner and try and work out a solution to this problem.  Attorney Palmer will send us some sample ordinances that comply with the Michigan Fire Insurance Withholding Act. We will decide on the action to take after the title search is done.  The Township also needs to look into an abandonment ordinance.

            New Business:  Land Division was presented for Peter Myotte at 7929 S. Nicolet Rd.  Motion was made by LaJoie, seconded by Avery to accept the land division for Peter Myotte on 7929 S. Nicolet Rd.  Motion carried.

            Discussion was held on maintenance at Dunbar Park.  The holding tank needs to be cleaned out so it can be pumped out.  Motion was made by Avery, seconded by LaJoie to have Don Coullard clean out the tank at Dunbar Park.  All were in favor, motion carried.

            The DNR will be doing an inspection at the Park on Tuesday. 

            The brush and hay around the Township Hall needs to be cut.  Cory Rogers has given a bid to hay bind and brush hog the fields for $1200.00.  Glen Atkins will come in and cut the bigger brush with a bob cat for $65.00 an hour.  Motion was made by Rogers, seconded by LaJoie to authorize Cory Rogers to hay bind and brush hog for $1200.00 and Glen Atkins to do the bigger brush for $65.00 an hour.  All were in favor, motion carried.

            The door locks in the Hall need to be changed.  Pat’s Lock and Key will come in and for around $100.00 will change the locks.  Motion was made by Rogers, seconded by Avery to change the locks with 10 master keys and 20 pass keys.  All were in favor, motion carried.

            Discussion was held on the double doors in the Township Hall.   

            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 8:00 p.m.

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                                                                        Wanda Sawyers, Clerk

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                                                                        Carl Marsh, Supervisor