Thursday April 8, 2004 at 7:10 p.m. the regular Middlebury Township Board meeting held at the Ovid Municipal Building was called to order by Supervisor Anthony Sinicropi with the pledge to the flag. Prayer was given by trustee Charles Simpson. Sinicropi, clerk Audrey Sovis, treasurer Carolyn Stevens and trustees Simpson and Paul Dutton were present. There were six visitors. Resident Bill Kline inquired about the status of the Metz trailer clean up. Sinicropi explained that we are still waiting on the county zoning office to keep things moving on this issue. Diane Carey, Steve Daunt and Avery Weaver each spoke on their intent to run for 85th District representative, and gave their opinions on various issues. Leighton Leighty entered at approximately 7:30 p.m. A motion was made by Simpson and seconded by Dutton to approve the agenda. All ayes, no nays, carried. A motion was made by Dutton and seconded by Simpson to approve the minutes of the March 11, 2004 meeting. All ayes, no nays, carried. A motion was made by Simpson and seconded by Dutton to pay the bills for the month of April in the amount of $4,961.81 (check #’s 1186-1197). All ayes, no nays, carried. A motion was made by Sovis and seconded by Sinicropi to approve the treasurer’s report. All ayes, no nays carried. At 8:12 James Capitan entered and discussed the use of the violation forms given to the township for zoning complaints. He will inquire on behalf of the board as to the proper handling and signing of these forms. He also suggested that the township’s planning committee discuss the possibility of the Owosso Speedway being zoned for business rather than agriculture, thereby allowing them to expand. Leighty commented that changing the zoning will again bring up conflicts with residents who are outspoken against the racetrack. He and Stephen Schweikert also pointed out that a change could open new possibilities to the community, both good and bad. At 8:35 a recess was taken. At 8:50 the meeting resumed. Sinicropi reported that he had received two estimates for limestone to be applied on the Middlebury cemetery driveway. L & G of Ovid gave a verbal estimate of approximately $3,000 for materials and $700-$1,000 for labor. Constine’s of Middlebury gave a written estimate of $3,900 for material and labor. It is noted that they are also better equipped to do the job. A motion was made by Sinicropi, seconded by Dutton to let Constine do the necessary driveway work at the cemetery at the estimated cost of $3,900. Roll call: Sinicropi aye, Stevens aye, Simpson aye, Dutton aye, Sovis aye, no nays, carried. Stephen Schweikert, assessor, brought two contracts to be signed. One for a BS&A Software update and the other for a two-year renewal for MSA Appraisal with the township of Middlebury. A motion was made by Sovis, seconded by Stevens to approve the new software update at a cost of $1,495 to be paid from (209) the Assessor fund. All ayes, no nays. Carried. A motion was made by Stevens, seconded by Sinicropi to sign a two-year contract with Stephen Schweikert of MSA Appraisal at a cost of $7,000 per year. Roll call vote: Stevens aye, Simpson aye, Dutton aye, Sovis aye, Sinicropi aye, no nays, carried. A motion was made by Sovis, seconded by Stevens to approve the 2004-05 regular township board meeting dates as presented. Roll call vote: Sinicropi aye, Sovis aye, Stevens aye, Dutton aye, Simpson aye, no nays, carried. After discussion of how to properly form a “goal-oriented” fund, a motion was made by Stevens, seconded by Sinicropi to change the wording on the approved budget from “Road Fund” to “Improvement CD”. Roll call vote: Sinicropi aye, Simpson aye, Dutton aye, Stevens aye, Sovis aye, no nays, carried. A check will be written in May for $10,000 and will be put into the best option CD at Stevens’ discretion. A motion was made by Dutton seconded by Stevens to approve the following road contracts for the year 2004 and to give authority to Sinicropi to sign a contract for Baldwin Rd at approximately $16,160 if Owosso Twp opts to do that project this year: project #489.074 Chip seal Warren from Krouse to M-21 #489.075 Chip seal Simpson from Baldwin to Austin #489.076 Chip seal Elm from Township line to M-21 #489.077 Gravel Austin from Dewey to M-21 #489.078 Gravel Simpson from Warren to 3/4 miles east, plus partial reconstruction #489.079 Gravel Middleton from Warren to Meridian . Roll call vote: Dutton aye, Simpson aye, Sinicropi aye, Sovis aye, Stevens aye, no nays, carried. Middlebury will pay $65,301.50. The gas tax contribution will pay $27,090. In addition, approximately $16,160 from the gas tax contribution will be used on the Baldwin road project or to chip seal Krouse road. Total estimated cost for roads in 2004, $108,551.50. Sinicropi noted that the care of grounds is improving at the Middlebury Township cemetery. A motion was made by Stevens, seconded by Sinicropi to take the interest from the cemetery CD (due to mature 4-26-04) and earmark it for cemetery improvements with the remaining $20,000 being put back into a CD marked Perpectual Care. Roll call vote: Stevens aye, Sovis aye, Sinicropi aye, Simpson aye, Dutton aye, no nays, carried. Stevens estimated that the earned interest may total between $2,500 - $3,500. Simpson reported that the Ovid-Middlebury Emergency Service now has a new brush truck with a removeable unit. Dutton reported that the library has decided to go independent from the schools. Simpson and Dutton both reported that the Maple Grove cemetery is in dire need of improvements in the areas of roadways, fences and headstones. At 10:05 p.m. a motion was made by Simpson and seconded by Dutton to adjourn. All ayes. Carried. Audrey Sovis, clerk