Thursday October 13, 2005 at 7:00 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 Clerk Audrey Sovis. Sinicropi, Sovis, Treasurer Carolyn Stevens and Trustees Paul Dutton and Charles Simpson were present. There were 9 visitors. Scheduled comments: Sealed bids for clean-up of the property at M-21 and Warren Road were accepted (with a deadline of October 8, 2005 due to publication timing, not Oct. 1 as stated in September minutes). Nine bids were received and were opened and read out loud. Bids ranged from $1,800 to $13,487. A motion was made by Dutton, seconded by Stevens to accept the bid of $2,670 from Ovid Iron and Metal. Roll call vote: Sinicropi nay, Sovis aye, Stevens aye, Dutton aye, Simpson aye, motion carried. Deputy Ryan Hall of the Shiawassee County Sheriff’s Department came and reported that the township has been quiet. County Commissioner James Capitan came to explain to the board why he voted in favor of the rails to trails proposal at the Commissioner’s meeting on this date. He stated that he must decide what is best for the county as a whole and that he represents other townships and precincts that he felt were in favor of the project. A motion was made by Simpson, seconded by Dutton to approve the agenda with the additions to amend the budget to create a new fund, and to approve the minutes of the October 11, 2005 public hearing/special meeting for the rails to trails proposal. All ayes, no nays, carried. A motion was made by Dutton, seconded by Simpson to approve the minutes of the September 8, 2005 board meeting as presented. All ayes, no nays, carried. A motion was made by Stevens, seconded by Dutton to accept the minutes of the October 11, 2005 special meeting as presented. All ayes, no nays, carried. A motion was made by Sovis, seconded by Sinicropi to approve the treasurer’s report. All ayes, no nays, carried. A motion was made by Dutton, seconded by Sinicropi to amend the budget and create a new fund (262) Land Acquisition with $3000 from (901) Transfer to Other Funds. All ayes, no nays, carried. A motion was made by Dutton, seconded by Simpson to approve the payment of bills in the amount of $8,547.52 (ck #’s 1526-1538). Carried by signature vote. Communications: Violation notices were read regarding property owned by Roger L. Jones and James and Karen Russell. Burnham and Flower Insurance Group sent optional quotations to increase the township’s liability limit. A motion was made by Sovis, seconded by Stevens to stay at the current coverage of $2 million. All ayes, no nays, carried. Unfinished Business: A motion was made by Sovis, seconded by Sinicropi that the township be billed quarterly for the township webpage maintenance fees. All ayes, no nays, carried. Discussion of a memorial plaque for Harold Hehrer was brought up again, as nothing was ever done with the $261.79 that was donated by the family. A motion was made by Sinicropi to spend up to $250 for a plaque to purchase a memorial to be placed near the new flag pole at the cemetery for Mr. Hehrer. Dutton seconded. All ayes, no nays, carried. Dutton will look into different plaque options. New Business: A motion was made by Sovis, seconded by Stevens to approve the proposed text amendment of the Shiawassee County Zoning Ordinance to allow conditional rezoning requests, noting that it was already approved by the township planning commission. Roll call vote: Simpson aye, Sovis aye, Sinicropi aye, Stevens aye, Dutton nay. A motion was made by Sinicropi, seconded by Simpson to have Gary Fortin, if interested, make a cover for the postings board at the township hall to accommodate inclement weather. All ayes, no nays, carried. A motion was made by Simpson, seconded by Dutton to appoint the following election inspectors for the November 8, 2005 election: Audrey Sovis (R) Chairman, Marsha Unterbrink (D) and Lois Wadsworth (R). All ayes, no nays, carried. Sovis reported that we have received our new voting machine and ballot box from the state. A motion was made by Sinicropi, seconded by Dutton to try to sell the old voting machine. All ayes, no nays, carried. A motion was made by Dutton, seconded by Sinicropi to pay $32 to the Shiawassee MTA to cover four board members’ dinners. This check #1539 is to be written and added to the October bills. All ayes, no nays, carried. It was discussed that Perry Township suggested reserving a block of rooms together for the Annual Conference in Grand Rapids in January 2006. Middlebury will need 6 rooms. Clerk will call Perry clerk to let her know. It was noted that the bill for Burnham and Flower Insurance is currently due. A motion was made by Dutton to add to the October bills check #1540 to be paid to B&F in the amount of $3,537. Stevens seconded. All ayes, no nays, carried. Total for October bills is now $12,116.52. Reports: Simpson noted that this month’s bills contained the third and final payment on the land for Maple Grove Cemetery. A motion to adjourn was made at 9:36 p.m. by Sovis, seconded by Stevens. All ayes, no nays, carried.