Middlebury Township PO Box 622, Ovid, Michigan 48866 Regular Meeting 7627 W. M-21, Ovid, MI Tuesday, July 8th, 2025 at 7:00 pm REGULAR MEETING Call to Order: Supervisor Herendeen called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Board Members Present: Supervisor Michael Herendeen, Clerk Jamie Aldrich, Treasurer Jill Ruess, Trustee Gene Ruess, and Trustee Ronald Powell Guests Present: Guests were present: (9) Matt Tribfelner, Josh Haley, John Buck, Caroline Wilson, Gary Keiger, Carl Chalker, Jodi Medina, Carrie Meisel, Mark Holley Scheduled Comments: Josh Haley- Shiawassee County Commissioner- Received a bid for towing company proposal to work with Shiawassee county for towing needs. Need to negotiate on a set price and vote will take place in a couple of months. This is a new approach and it’s hopeful that the response rate will be better for the county needs and that there will be a set price no matter the situation. If it does not work out that way they will go back to the drawing board. jhaley@shiawassee.net Caroline Wilson- County Clerk- directory is now electronic, you can obtain on the county website. Township clerk has copy that can be printed if requested. Secretary of State was in County Courthouse on May 13 to assist public with various needs and it was successful, hopeful to have them in again in September. 9 days early voting is mandatory, in Shiawassee County it is in the Veteran’s Building on State Rd. November election brought in over 5K voters. This comes at an expense that at this time the state will reimburse. Consolidating 9 days early voting for most townships in Shiawassee County was a success. It would be largely expensive to have each township do the 9 day early voting. Justin Horvath- SEPD- was not able to attend/absent Public Comments: Opened at 7:28pm Closed at 7:28 pm None Motion to Approve Agenda: Ron Powell made a motion to approve agenda Gene Ruess seconded the motion. Voice Vote: Ayes: All Nays None Carried Motion to Approve Minutes: Jamie Aldrich made a motion to the June 2025 minutes. Gene Ruess seconded the motion. Voice Vote: Ayes: All Nays: None Carried Motion to approve Bills Jill Ruess made a motion to approve bills from General Fund ck# 6410-6434 $10,256.63, and EFT’s $0.00 For a total amount $10,256.63. Jamie Aldrich seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: J. Aldrich-Yes G.Ruess-Yes J. Ruess-Yes R. Powell- Yes G.Ruess- Yes M.Herendeen- Yes Nays: None Communications: MTA- June annual meeting was held. Discussing changing the format of meetings. Library- They are off to a great start for the summer reading program. We approved to have the cement in front of the library replaced. There have been several people who have tripped and fell in front of the library where the cement is heaved. The city is replacing that cement as it is their responsibility, however we have a slab that is cracked and butts up to the piece that is heaved so we decided to have it done at the same time. OMESA- Chief was on a call so did not make it to the meeting, not much discussion Clerk- important to lock buildings at the end of the day for safety and records Assessor- Poverty Exemption case coming up Treasurer- Will have CD come due that should be the last one to mature Cemetery- attended MTA conference- learned some laws and will work on updating procedures Business: 1.) Building and Grounds improvements – Matt a. Front door - $150 to repaint door and trim, will charge for plate on the bottom if rust is too bad b. Power wash the building - $150 c. Replace letters on building- cost is about $20 per letter for metal and $25/hr to install estimates about 4 hours or hall can look into a different signage d. Replace steps on back deck - $75 e. Replace landscaping timbers- $250 Jill made motion to have Matt paint the front door and trim $150, if at plate is needed that is additional township cost; remove letters off building and caulk holes for $100; Power wash the building for $150; Replace steps on back deck for $75 Mike H. seconded motion. Roll Call Vote: J. Aldrich-Yes J. Ruess-Yes R. Powell- Yes G.Ruess- Yes Herendeen-Yes Nays: None Jill made motion to get quotes for new hall signage. Gene R. will call three local businesses- Agnew, Dan Martin, Edward Signs and report back in September with quotes. Ron Powell Seconded Board discussed that sign does not need to be fancier than the building, that the size and colors of the sign can be recommended by the companies. Voice Vote: Ayes: All Nays: None Carried 2.) Mason Road had gravel added however there is still a large low spot that needs to filled in Mike or Jeff is going to call the county – about 150 yards west of Warren on Mason Rd 3.) Corner of Austin and Krouse, trees are covering the stop sign. Mike or Jeff is going to call the county 4.) Foundation for Mr Chalker. Foundation is cracked, there is some roots visible. Jeremy M. will move stone between for between $50-100 and then we can see what the problem is and how to address it. Roots may need to be cut to get a better base or the tree may need to be cut down, Matt will use his best judgment Jill R makes motion to have Jodi coordinate the work on Mr. Chalker’s headstone. Jeremy M will move the stone and Matt will remove and replace foundation that will be charged to the township. Gene R. seconded. Roll Call Vote: J. Aldrich-Yes J. Ruess-Yes R. Powell- Yes G.Ruess- Yes Herendeen-Yes Nays: None 5.) Amazon orders and shipping costs – lots of options 6.) Conference for Clerks Sept 2-3 Mike H made motion for Clerk and Deputy Clerk to attend free or at reasonable cost. Roll Call Vote: J. Aldrich-Yes J. Ruess-Yes R. Powell- Yes G.Ruess- Yes Herendeen-Yes Nays: None 7.) Earned Sick Time-policy needed Law is still in flux; board needs to discuss how the township wants to track the hours- frontload or pay as earned, BSA 8.) Fireworks -policy needed Herendeen does not believe a policy is need- the board agreed. The track is the only one that does fireworks in our township and the state has laws that regulate. It was discussed that there is not an application or anything that we need to turn into our insurance company because the township is not hosting or sponsoring. Old Business: 1.) New hall Hard to find a builder that will do a contract, most builders do time and materials. Intention is to not bond the build or increase taxes. Easement on the driveway expires 2030. Gary K has concerns about keeping the work local when the time comes. Request for proposals will be asked for, although local is considered the board has an obligation to not spend more of taxpayers money just to keep it local. Jill has concerns that we are not moving forward timely. Gene discussed that we need a contractor for questions that we don’t have all the answers to. Jamie suggested an outline for steps we need to take to move forward. Final Comments: Opened at 845pm Closed at 845pm Motion to adjourn the meeting: Adjourned at 845 pm without objection Next meeting September 9, 2025 at 7:00pm