Middlebury Township Board Minutes Draft Minutes Middlebury Township Board Regular Meeting Wednesday February 9, 2011 7pm Middlebury Township Hall 7627 W. M-21 Ovid, Michigan 48866 Minutes Supervisor Anthony Sinicropi called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm Call To Order with a Pledge to the Flag and a prayer led by Richard Semans. Members Present: Supervisor Anthony Sinicropi, Clerk Susan Roll Call Tomasek-Swan, Treasurer Carolyn Stevens, and Trustee Paul Dutton. and Trustee Paul Dutton. Absent: Erin Dutton Guest Present: 17 people present Jim McClelland, Steve Loomis, Bob Dennison, Gary Kiger, Richard Semans, Lynn and Rich Givens, Bill Kline, John Tribfelner, Bill Sloat, John Michalec, Mike Constine Steve Zemcik, Mike Herendeen Lynn Bowen Lonny Latunski Scheduled Comments: Scheduled Comments Steve Loomis stated everything is doing well in the township. Lonny Latunski introduced everyone from road commission. He continued by reviewing their recommendations for road repair this year. An error was found in numbers and he would get back regarding the Austin road and Wilkinson road estimate. Lonny explained about the repainting the paved roads side and center lines. Due to budget cuts, they can not afford to paint lines every year. If the township choose to paint the white side lines, it will have to be paid by the township and continued to be maintained by the township. He also brought to our attention that any federal projects being done in our township may have to match funds. Overall, Lonny felt the township roads were doing well. He reminded everyone the 2nd and 4th Tuesday at 3:30 pm is the road commission board meeting . Bill Kline asked about the excessive plowing. Gary Kiger asked about the road being farmed right up to the ditch. Lonny stated that a letter was sent to farmers to not plow out the ditches. Lonny felt all roads need ditches. Public Comments Lynn Givens asked about why was brine put on roads even when houses were not located on them. Sinicropi explained that brining keeps the gravel road in good condition. Opened 7:30pm Closed 7:36pm Moved by P. Dutton, seconded by Stevens to approve the agenda. Motion to Approve Agenda with the addition (C)Purchase of real estate AYE: All NO: none CARRIED AGENDA APPROVED Moved by Stevens , seconded by P. Dutton to approve the minutes Minutes Approved from January 12, 2011 regular township board meeting with add assistance to fire chief. January 12, 2011 AYE: All NO: none CARRIED Moved by Sinicropi and seconded by Tomasek-Swan to approve the Treasurer's report as presented. Treasurer's Report Approved AYE: All NO: none CARRIED Moved by P. Dutton and seconded by Stevens to pay bills in with Bills Payment Approved checks numbered 2769-2784 & EFT in an amount of $5,732.63. AYE: All NO: none CARRIED Sinicropi discussed the letter placed in the paper regarding the placement of Michael Herendeen on the OMESA board. Sinicropi stated he felt it was in the best interest for the township to have Mike on the board. Attorneys have stood by the township's decision. Communications Lynn Bowen commented on the letter by Cooley. Mcl 4161 allows to have a Deputy and he can carry out duties in place of the supervisor but can not vote on the township board but can sit on other boards with full duties. The reasons for the Deputy to serve in place of the Supervisor can be personal or medical and it is at the discretion of the township's supervisor. In regards to the OMESA open meeting issue, he reviewed the situation and deemed it not a violation. Bill Sloat stated he objected to any closed meeting session. He felt only an employee should use it to prevent embarrassment He feels that attorney-client is over used when an attorney is present. He feels if it can't be held in public session then something is wrong. He wanted to be on record. Lynn Bowen countered with there are times when the board needs to be held in a closed session. He reminded that no action can be taken in closed session. Bob asked if the information can be made available to the public but was told the minutes are sealed but any action has to be done in a public manner. Lynn Bowen updated the board on the Lupe Garcia situation. The letter was just reminding the parties that money was owed. Supervisor Sinicropi, Deputy Supervisor Michael Herendeen and Trustee Paul Dutton spoke on the MTA Annual conference. Sinicropi felt some of the seminars were the same that he had attended previously. Herendeen felt it was very worth well to attend this conference .Paul stated he went to a specific road meeting and he will be going to the Shiawassee Road Commission to share the information that he had learned. None Unfinished Business New Business Carolyn made a motion to set the Budget meeting on March 9, 2011 at 6:30 pm P. Dutton seconded. Ayes: All NO: none CARRIED Tomasek-Swan made a motion to pay up to six people to attend the MTA March 24 meeting. Sinicropi seconded. AYE: All NO: none CARRIED Final Comments Richard Semans stated that the consultant is working on and hoping to have some idea by spring. Bob asked about the building and if they were going to use MMR. Richard stated that Sinicropi made a motion to go into closed session for purchase of real estate. Stevens seconded it. Aye: Stevens, Paul, Tomasek-Swan, Sinicropi Closed Session NO: none CARRIED 8:25 pm entered 9:31pm adjourned The meeting was adjourned at 9:32 pm Moved by Stevens and ADJOURNED seconded by P. Dutton. 09:32 PM AYE: All NO: none CARRIED Minutes prepared by ___________________________________________________________ Susan Tomasek-Swan Susan Tomasek-Swan, Middlebury Township Clerk Clerk