Meetings Archive

March 9, 2009
February 9, 2009
January 12, 2009

GREENWOOD TOWNSHIP

MARCH 9, 2009

MINUTES

Supervisor don Kaiser called the monthly meeting of the Greenwood Township Board of Trustees to order at 7:37 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

The meeting was held in the newly repaired community room.

Present: Supervisor Don Kaiser, Trustees: Charles Beard, Chris Dahm, Jack Peleck and John Jones.  Also present were Assessor Karen Roth, Highway Commissioner Roger May, and Bookkeeper Colleen Dumais.  Public attendees are attached to the minutes.

Previous minutes were approved with one correction by Don Kaiser.  Kaiser’s addition was the inclusion of his twenty-eight years of service.  Motion by C Dahm and seconded by J Peleck.  Motioned approved.

Audience participation was offered but no one accepted.

Old Business:  Jon Toussaint from Northwest Networks made a second presentation for the township’s website.  Toussaint presented his general fees.  There was a lot of discussion.  C Dahm moved to accept the quote presented by Toussaint pending a contract to be presented at the next meeting.  Seconded by J Peleck.   Motion carried.
J Peleck suggested that Toussaint should check with the TOI website.

New Business:  Review of the Assessor’s budget was moved to the April meeting.

Bookkeeper Dumais discussed paying bills online.  Although there are many advantages, a decision was made to wait until after the election to implement.

Bookkeeper Report:  C Dumais reported that the floor improvements exceeded $12,000.
Contractor Ron Caprio interjected concern over the general floor cost discussion.  The amount of $4,000 was mentioned by several in the room and he wanted to clarify the cost.  Each board member attempted to assure Caprio that he would be paid.   All of the trustees and the bookkeeper were confused over costs because we did not see any estimates, bills, etc.

Bookkeeper Dumais reported that the township was running out of funds and that the supervisors would not be paid April 1st.    R May offered to lend the township enough funds to cover paychecks which the township would pay back with the Tax Anticipation Bonds.

Tax Anticipation Bonds were discussed.  J Peleck motioned to borrow $30,000 on the Tax Anticipation Warrants.  C Dahm seconded the motion and it carried.  D Kaiser cautioned that school bond issue votes could delay the Tax Anticipation Bonds.

J Peleck suggested that when doing the budget when should include a monthly payment of $1000 to pay off our debt.

Bookkeeper Dumais discussed the township health plan.   The current plan is costing the township over $70,000 per year.   In her professional opinion, we are providing more covearage than most employers are providing.   She suggested that we explore the current market to secure a lower cost plan.   Savings of up to 28% are possible.  Dumais is to take new applications from the employees and provide a report at the next meeting.

Supervisor Report:  D Kaiser reminded all of our annual meeting that is set for April 14th at 7:00 p.m.

Kaiser reported that 90% of the repairs and updates have been completed.  The township has received $19000 from the insurance company settlement.  The tile cost $2700.

Road Commissioner’s Report:  R May mentioned that during salary negotiations we had not secured an agreement on the 50/50 salary split between the road district and the township.  R May agreed to continue the agreement.  The new commissioner will need to also agree.   A written agreement will be drawn up at that time.

J Jones questioned whether R May was securing salt for next year.  R May said that the seventeen township commissioners were forming a coop to make purchases and this should help to keep the cost low for next year.

R May distributed copies of correspondence with the Village of Greenwood and their attorneys concerning an outstanding statement.

Assessors Report:  K Roth said that our township hearings were finished but other assessors were continuing.  All hearings needed to be completed before tax bills are released.

K Roth also asked if we could hire an exterminator.   During the construction signs of extensive rodent activities were found.  D Kaiser said that he would prepare a report for our next meeting.

C Beard made a motion to adjourn.  C Dahm seconded the motion and the meeting was adjourned at 9:33.

Report submitted by Trustee Jones.

GREENWOOD TOWNSHIP
REGULAR MEETING
February 9, 2009

Supervisor Don Kaiser called the monthly meeting of the Greenwood Township Board of Trustees to order at 7:35 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. 

The meeting was held in the highway dept garage due to flood damage repairs.

Present:  Supervisor Don Kaiser Trustees Charles Beard, Chris Dahm, Jack Peleck, John Jones, Assessor Karen Roth, Deputy Assessor Randy Roth, Highway Commissioner Roger May, Clerk Barb Klasen, Bookkeeper Colleen Dumais.  Public attendees are attached to minutes.

Approval of Minutes:  C. Beard motioned to approve the minutes from the December 8, 2008 meeting; C. Dahm seconded.  Motioned approved.

Motion by C. Dahm to correct the minutes from January 12, 2009 to change Tom Wilson to John
Jones as trustee present; C. Beard seconded.  Minutes approved as corrected.

John Jones motioned to approve the minutes from the emergency meeting on January 26, 2009; J. Peleck seconded.  Motioned approved.

The bills were reviewed and approved as presented.

Public Comments:   Audience question why there were different assessments on houses in his area.  Karen explained the reassessment procedure and forms he needed to request review.  She also advised him she is in hearings until March and he should call her office and set up an appt. 

Old Business:  Don Kaiser advised the board that Ron Caprio is repairing the interior walls, disinfecting the area, and removed the carpet.  New carpeting should be installed Wednesday.  He will then continue to work on the other areas.  Roger May will take care of his own office.  Karen complimented and thanked Ron for the work he is doing. 

Don reported he has three estimates for carpet and tile.  He said he was advised by the adjuster we should receive approximately $19,600 for the structural damage.  Property damage still to be assessed.

Don advised he is looking into turbo power and windmills to go green at the township.  Could supplement electric and possibly pay for itself in 5 years.  Looking for federal money.  C. Dahm gave out information on suppliers.

B. Klasen asked if there was anything anyone wanted on the agenda for the annual town meeting on April 14th at 7:00 p.m.  No items were given.
Supervisor’s Report:  Don said he is receiving more requests for general assistance due to the economy.

Road Commissioner’s Report:  Roger advised Allendale Bridge is postponed for another year.  The holdup appears to be land acquisition and funding.  Part of the old bridge will not be incorporated in the new bridge as previously thought.  Don added that the bridge was a 1935 pony bridge. 

Roger announced that after one appointment and five elections he is not seeking re-election in April.  He has served 22.5 years with the township.  He is proud that all buildings and equipment are  paid for and that he was able to get a traffic light installed on Thompson Rd. & Rt. 120.  He is leaving due to medical issues.  The Board thanked him for his many years of service to the township and for the great job he has done over the years. 

J. Peleck also announced that he will not be seeking re-election as Trustee.  Said he is on a second honeymoon and enjoying every minute of it.  Urged all new elected officials to attend classes to obtain the knowledge they need to do their job.

D. Kaiser reiterated that he previously announced that he also was not seeking re-election due to health concerns.

The Board thanked everyone for their continued commitment and work to the township.

Assessors’ Report – Karen stated that she moved her office to her home since the flood and is looking forward to getting things back in order.  She also asked how long she is required to keep records since she would like to move only the needed records back into her office.  She was advised to contact TOI to see if they can give her an answer.  Would like to have a secure room upstairs to keep other needed records that need to be kept.

Bookkeeper’s Report:  Colleen reviewed each of the funds and current balances.  Everyone is within their budget.  However we have to keep in mind that we will probably have to go for a tax anticipation loan.  C. Dahm asked when we might get new tax money and was advised by Don usually by the end of June or beginning of July.

Roger said he has enough salt to last the remainder of the winter but may have to lay off employee to save money.  Had a lot of overtime in winter.  Roger also stated that $50,000 that was presently showing in road fund will be transferred to the insurance fund.  He will make a onetime transfer of funds at the County Clerk’s office to remedy this in the future.

Colleen asked Karen to use her Capital One account to pay bills for the next month since there is a large credit and we want to balance out at end of fiscal year.  She also reminded the board they will probably have to apply for a tax anticipation loan before we receive our  new tax money.

C. Dahm questioned the possibility of paying bills on line.  Colleen thought that would be a good idea but needs Karen to set her up with access and passwords since the accounts are in her name.  C. Dahm requested this be put on the agenda for next month.

C. Dahm questioned the terms of office for all township officials.  Was advised that all township officials are up for election at one time.

Don Kaiser urged all to attend the upcoming training sessions that will be held this year.

C. Dahm motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 p.m., J. Jones seconded.  Motioned approved

Barbara A. Klasen
Clerk                                                   Approved:  3/9/2009

GREENWOOD TOWNSHIP
REGULAR MEETING
January 12, 2009

Supervisor Don Kaiser called the monthly meeting of the Greenwood Township Board of Trustees to order at 7:30 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.  Present:  Supervisor Don Kaiser Trustees Charles Beard, Jack Peleck, Tom Wilson, Chris Dahm, Assessor Karen Roth, Randy Roth, Highway Commissioner Roger May. Absent:  Barb Klasen, Colleen Dumais Approval of Minutes:  In clerk’s absence the December minutes will be approved next month.
 
The monthly road district and township bills were reviewed and approved as presented. Assessor’s Report:  Karen reported that are over 100 cases for the Board of review. Highway Commissioner’s Report:  Crews are out due to the forecast of tonight’s snowstorm. Supervisor’s Report:  Don reported that he checked with Gerry Crabtree at TOI and was advised we do not have to compile or publish a venders list unless there were changes to our annual report. Don Kaiser, Supervisor Approved 2/9/2009