DRAFT On Thursday January 3, 2008 at 7:00 pm the Middlebury Township Board met for a regular meeting at the Ovid Municipal Building, 114 East Front Street, Ovid, Michigan. Supervisor, Anthony Sinicropi called the meeting to order and began the meeting with the Pledge to the Flag. Trustee Charles Simpson led the board in prayer. Roll call was taken with the following board members present: Supervisor, Anthony Sinicropi; Clerk, Susan Tomasek-Swan; Treasurer, Carolyn Stevens, Trustees, Paul Dutton and Charles Simpson. Also present Deputy Supervisor Richard Givens and Deputy Clerk Shawn Dilts, Sexton, Gary Fortin and from SEDP, Justin Horvath .Two guests were also present. Scheduled Comments: Craig Lawson was present in place of Steve Loomis. Lawson went over December’s report. He stated that traffic stops are down in our township. Trustee Simpson discussed about snowmobiles. Public Comment: Justin Horvath spoke on behalf of SEDP of the benefits our township would have even if the industry and jobs were not directly in our township. Treasurer Stevens discussed the Ethanol plant plans decision not being made until summer. She also stated that the speaker to represent SEDP last month was not from our area but from Ohio. Deputy Supervisor Givens stated about the Shiawassee county contributing money and the townships giving would be like “double dipping”. General Business: Trustee Simpson moved a motion seconded by Trustee Dutton to approve the agenda as written. All ayes and no nays, the motion was carried. Trustee Dutton moved to approve the minutes from the December 13, 2007 meeting. Trustee Simpson seconded the motion. All ayes and no nays the motion was carried. Trustee Dutton made a motion to approve the December’s treasurer’s report. The motion was seconded by Trustee Simpson. All ayes and no nays, the motion was carried. A motion was made by Trustee Simpson and seconded by Trustee Dutton to pay bills for the month of January in the amount of $5,762.26 with checks numbered 2025 thru 2048 with voids on checks 2029 and 2041. All ayes and no nays except Treasurer Stevens signed protesting checks number 2030, 2031 and 2036. Trustee Dutton signed under duress. Communications: Supervisor Sinicropi addressed a complaint about a resident having a burning permit for wood chips with was causing problems with area neighbors. Fire Chief Brown responded to the problem promptly and has pulled the burn permit. New Business: A preliminary budget for fiscal year 2008-2009 was discussed for presenting to the board at the February meeting. A public meeting for the budget was set for March 13th at 6:30 at the Ovid Municipal building. Trustee Simpson made a motion to continue to support SEDP at the same rate as last year of $500.00. Trustee Dutton seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken: Dutton: yes; Simpson: yes; Sinicropi: yes; Tomasek-Swan: yes; Stevens: No. The motion was passed by 4 ayes and 1 nay. The board discussed staying with the Ovid Municipal building for the regular township board meetings and possible use for elections. Tomasek-Swan stated that it would need to be investigated as if it was even legal to hold elections here. Sinicropi delegated for Tomasek-Swan to write a letter to request use of the building for our meetings and possible elections contingent on what was found out on the legality. Deputy Supervisor Givens addressed the board about a decision needing to be made regarding use of our township hall if it is not used for meetings or elections. The discussion was tabled until next month. Supervisor presented to the board the recommendations by the Road Commissioner. The budget only includes brining the dirt roads; seal coating Vincent Rd. and Mabbit Rd. and adding gravel to Krouse Rd. and Hammond Rd. for a total of $64,880.50. Spring Weekender from MTA was presented to the board with no one attending. Supervisor Sinicropi mentioned that the Capital Conference was coming soon and expressed a desire to attend. Trustee Dutton made a motion to approve the Clerk to purchase a wireless G USB network adaptor. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Sinicropi. All ayes and no nays the motion was carried. Trustee Simpson made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Trustee Dutton. All ayes and no nays the meeting was adjourned at 10:10 pm Submitted by Susan Tomasek-Swan Clerk