Big Prairie Township

All minutes are unofficial until approved at the next township board meeting

BIG PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
August 12, 2008

The regular meeting of the Big Prairie Township Board was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Supervisor Wright.

The Pledge of Allegiance was said.

Roll call showed the following Board members present: Wright, Baker, Ruehmeier, Anderson and Davison.

Motion by Anderson seconded by Davison to approve the agenda with the addition of the Community Development letter, motion carried.

Special guest County Commissioner, Chuck Trapp was present and spoke to the Board about the County Library Board. One member is still needed.

Mr. Matt Behling was present from Aflac Insurance and presented the board as to what is offered to employees. One would need to sign up for one year at a times, approx. cost of 19.80 per monthly deducted from their check. This issue was tabled for more information from the Fire Dept. as they also have another company they are looking at.
This program will be presented to the Fire Dept members.

Motion by Anderson seconded by Ruehmeier to approve the minutes of the July meeting as received, motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report:
Beginning balance 68,572.66
Income 27,668.04
Disbursements 18,758.36
Withholding 430.72
Due-Park Board 1,430.00
Balance 78,481.61

Report filed for audit.

Correspondence read. Motion by Ruehmeier seconded by Anderson to regretfully accept the resignation of Megan Mayle from the Zoning Board of Appeals, motion carried.

Mr. Wright and Baker to look over applications and bring to the Board.

Zoning Administrator’s Report was reviewed as Mr. Hall is on vacation.

Assessor: office hours are going well, August 19th the Assessor will be in classes all day so will not have office hours, this will be posted. The week of August 25th, the Assessor will be on vacation. Consumer’s Energy case has been settled but is still waiting for the papers.

Rec Area; Committee had a meeting with issue of caretaker. Neighbors have complained on grass not being cut. The committee decided to re bid the job and took the low bid from American Landscape .They will also be trimming trees, doing some painting and repairing the fence. The signs at the Rec Area need replacing. Jackie to get prices on this for the Board.

Fire Dept.The Chief reported the runs for the month of July. The grass rig is almost ready, only needing some hose and the lettering. Chief asked that the heli-pad be painted again. The paint is faded out. Chuck Wimmer will paint the lettering. The Chief asked for a copy of the ballot wording for the Department.

Board reports; The Clerk thanked all the election workers for a job well done. A joint meeting with Croton Township will be August 27th at Croton to discuss the swan issue.
Mr. Wright attended the Brownfield Authority meeting. Wright will pursue and get more information.

Petitions/Requests from the audience: Mr. Wimmer asked about the clean up on September 20th, it will be free to the residents.

Old Business; A questions was asked on the Borgman Ford bill for the responder truck, one more bill is coming. Motion by Baker seconded by Davison to approve and pay the bills to include the brine at 15,350.00, and 50.00 for the gutter work, motion carried.

Bids for the new furnace: 3 bids were received but after opening and looking over the bids were not all on the same work. Wright will contact the mechanical inspector for the County and get the size of furnace needed and ask all to re bid the project. Tabled until September.

Park Rules and Regulations Ordinance: The rules have been passed by the Park Commission and need Township Board approval for this ordinance. Motion by Anderson seconded by Ruehmeier to adopt the Rules and Regulations Ordinance as presented,
Roll call vote:
Wright, yes
Baker, yes
Ruemeier, yes
Davison, yes
Anderson, yes
Ordinance adopted and will be published.

Rec Area Plan: Mr. Wright went over a few changes made. Motion by Anderson seconded by Baker to approve the plan with the wording changes. Roll call vote:
Wright, yes
Baker, yes
Ruehmeier, yes
Anderson, yes
Davison, yes.
Rec Plan adopted.

Flood Management is tabled until papers can be sent to the Township Attorney to look over resolution. Clerk will send the resolution.

Community Development: has asked to have inspections in Big Prairie done by the County. Motion by Wright seconded by Baker to continue with Township Inspectors, motion carried.

Ballot wording for the November election: The Attorney is drafting the wording for 1 mil for 4 years for substation. Supervisor and Clerk will work on fact sheet for the Hall.

No further business to come before the meeting, meeting adjourned

Subject to Board approval Judith Baker, Clerk