Flowerfield Township Meeting Minutes

 FLOWERFIELD TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING
April 6, 2009

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Supervisor Carroll Parmeter. Carroll Parmeter, Pam Altimus, Ron Shaver, Teresa Ives and Jim Griffith attended the meeting. There were ten visitors present.

Board Member Additions
Carroll requested that we add the dust control for the township’s gravel roads under new business.

AGENDA

Approval of Agenda for April 6, 2009- Pam Altimus made the motion to accept the agenda as read, seconded by Teresa Ives, motion carried.

Board Member Comments
No comments were made.

MINUTES

Approval of Minutes from March 2, 2009-Jim Griffith made the motion to accept the Minutes, seconded by Pam Altimus, motion carried.

SPECIAL GUESTS/PUBLIC COMMENTS

Jack Abrams- Flowerfield resident asked the board what the limit was for the number of cremations on one grave. He had purchased graves in the Howardsville Cemetery and he would like to have future immediate family members, if cremated, to be buried on one grave. The board will look into this and reply.

CORRESPONDENCE
Teresa read the following letters:
MTA- Upcoming Educational Events: Intro. To Planning & Zoning, Board Decisions & Effect. Mtgs. & Making Parliamentary Procedure Work

St. Joe. Co. MSU Extension Office: Offering an educational program on Parliamentary procedure called “Effective Mtgs: The Parliamentary Way” on Tues. April 21,2009 @ St. Joe Interm. School District and runs from 6:30-9:00pm

St. Joe Co. Planning Commission: Recv’d copy of the letter that was sent to PC Chairman, Greg Hamelink- RE: Master Plan

St. Joe Co. Road Commission: Recv’d letter regarding 2009 Dust Control Program- Stated that the cost would remain the same as last year. $1,200.00 per mile.

Franger Gas- At this time we have $218.62 credit left over from last year—Since we have a credit we will automatically be renewed for Guaranteed Pricing- No Higher than $ 1.79 per gallon

Ron Shaver read a letter from Domestic & Sexual Abuse Services has a “Take Back The Night” event on April 16, 2009 at 7 p.m. in Sturgis.

REPORTS

Assessor: Shalice Northrop was present. She stated that everything is turned in and she is working on homesteads. She stated that we had a few appeals made and the BOR met them half way.

Rural Inspection: Tony Vaickus was not present. Teresa read off his invoice of (2) renewal permits, (1) permit for addition & (1) land division.

Planning Commission: Greg Hamelink, PCB Chairman was present and provided the following update.

• He stated that he and Toben Houts went to the St. Joseph County Planning Commission on March 25, 2009.

• Rick Shaffer attended our Planning Commission meeting on March 26, 2009. He stated that he wanted to apologize for the miscommunications regarding the county planning commission meeting that Greg and Toben attended.

• Public Hearing for the Master Plan will be on Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. Teresa will publish the notice in the newspapers. The question presented will also be who is going to print the hard copies, we will need about (15) copies.

• The Planning Commission would like the board to retain Bob Toland for help in zoning issues after changes made in the master plan. Will ask him for estimates of his fees.

Sexton: Bill Kruger was present. He stated there wasn’t any funerals this past month.
Carroll stated that he would like the dirt at the Howardsville Cemetery removed. Carroll, also stated that he would like to have topsoil and grass planted on all new burials.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Marcellus Fire Department- Teresa reported on the conversation that she had with Mary Fisher of the Marcellus Fire Department. Teresa states that we need a new updated contract, since the current one is from 1996 for the amount of $9,006.97. Carroll, stated that the board should put in writing any questions or concerns and bring to the next township meeting.

Fire Bills- Will keep working on this issue.

Cemetery Software- Teresa Ives and Bill Kruger will meet with ZCSS and set up a demonstration appointment. Teresa will also investigate in prices of cemetery software.

High Speed Internet- Teresa stated that since the School Elections on May 5, 2009 will be small, she will wait for high speed internet, until her dial-up services expire in November 2009.

NEW BUSINESS

Township Attorney- Ken Sparks: Carroll made the motion to appoint Ken Sparks as the township attorney, seconded by Pam, with a roll call vote: Jim Griffith- yes, Pam Altimus-yes, Ron Shaver-yes, Teresa Ives-yes and Carroll Parmeter-yes.

Township Auditor- Siegfried & Crandall: Pam made the motion to have Siegfried & Crandall as the township auditors, seconded by Carroll, with a roll call vote: Pam Altimus-yes, Ron Shaver-yes, Carroll Parmeter-yes, Jim Griffith-yes and Teresa Ives-yes.

Mileage Rate- IRS rate is $.50: Teresa made the motion to set the mileage rate at .50 cents, Pam seconded, motion carried.

Township Banks- FNB, Flagstar, Fifth Third & G. W. Jones Exchange: Pam made the motion to approve these banks as the township banks, seconded by Teresa, with a roll call vote: Carroll Parmeter-yes, Jim Griffith-yes, Pam Altimus-yes, Ron Shaver-yes and Teresa Ives-yes.

Zoning Board of Appeals- Needs to be resolved and transferred to the
Planning Commission-Teresa will call the attorney at MTA on Thursday during the Free Legal advice and inquire about this. She will report back to the board.

School Election is May 5, 2009: Election inspectors who will be working this election are Teresa Ives, Joan Woodall and Norma Kruger. Paul Kruger will be an alternate.

St. Joe Co. Road Commission- Dust Control: Carroll made the motion to have dust control on all township dirt roads, seconded by Ron, roll call vote: Jim Griffith-yes, Carroll Parmeter-yes, Teresa Ives-yes, Pam Altimus-yes and Ron Shaver-yes.

APPROVAL OF EXPENDITURES

Jim made the motion to approve payment of expenditures 3227 thru 3259, seconded, by Teresa, motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Pam to adjourn, seconded by Ron, motion carried with the meeting adjourning at 8:00 p.m.

Next Meeting Date: May 4, 2009 at 7pm