COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES

COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES

Type of Meeting:	REGULAR
Date of Meeting:	February 19, 2002-7:30 PM

The Regular Meeting of the Columbia Township Board was called to order by Supervisor Beckwith. Present were Beckwith, Burgett, Fogarty, Harrington, and Hurley. In attendance were 36 individuals.

Treasurer's Report:

General Fund	145,753.19	Road Fund	(10,907.28)
Fire Fund	45,347.10	Ambulance Fund	45,233.31
Trust & Agency Fund	0	Tax Fund	4,546.39
Liquor Control Fund	2,882.21	Housing Rehab Fund	42,432.40

Consent Agenda: Regular Meeting Minutes-January 15, 2002; Special Meeting Minutes-January 16, 2002, January 18, 2002, January 23, 2002, January 31, 2002; bills through February 18, 2002; Treasurer’s Report. Discussion: Harrington requested that the minutes of January 15, 2002, be changed to reflect his change of vote, from yes to no, for appointment of Rosemary Hurley to Planning Commission, appointment of Farley Gruber as Fire Chief, and approval of Fire Chief’s contract. Motion by Burgett, seconded by Hurley, to approve the Consent Agenda and the minutes of January 15, 2002 as written. Carried. 4 Yes-1 No.

Clerk's Report: Invoices received after consent agenda.

Herb Murphy Snow Plow Transfer Station $60

Verizon Fire Department Phone $75.54

Motion by Burgett, seconded by Fogarty, to approve the invoices received after the consent agenda. Carried unanimously.

Public Comment: A question was raised about the Fire Chief’s contract.

Additions/Corrections: Add Recreation Plan Resolution to New Business. Motion by Burgett, seconded by Hurley, to add to the agenda as item # 5. Carried unanimously.

Supervisor: The Columbia Township Board with the exception of George Harrington are being sued by Frank Grubisich for improper termination of ex-fire chief Rogalla and improper selection of Fire Chief Gruber.

Sheriff: 62 calls received in January.

County Commissioner: Palisades will be installing a new warning system.

Fire Chief: 3 calls in January. The Fire Department has a house to burn. This will be used for mutual training with the neighboring departments. The Fire Department now has 7 fully trained firefighters and 5 trainees that will be attending classes this fall.

Planning Commission: The Master Plan has been approved by the County Planning Commission. The Township Planning Commission will be working on updating the zoning map.

Neighborhood Watch: Neighborhood Watch’s first meeting will be March 7, 2002. We will be discussing our goals and what we hope to accomplish in the year 2002.

Book Station: The Book Station needs volunteers to help set up in the church.

Hospital: Heart to Heart screening was held earlier this month. A new Fluoroscopic Unit has replaced the existing equipment.

Recreation/Cemetery: Mitchell Brothers will be surveying Thompson Cemetery.

Grant Writing: No report.

Zoning Administrator: 3 Building Permits, 5 Mechanical Permits, and 6 Electrical Permits, were issued in January.

Blight Administrator: 7 complaints have been filed. 4 have started cleaning up.

Correspondence: Harrington explained that the ex firefighters have received a letter from Chief Gruber, requesting any Fire Department clothing to be returned that they might still have. He stated that the clothing requested had not been paid for by the Township. Harrington also stated that the electrical setup at the fire station originally cost $5000. Palisades sent a check for $2500 toward this apparently because Ken Speicher worked there and was a firefighter. They never sent a bill for the rest of the money. He has been called in and interrogated about these allegations, false alarms, sabotage, theft, etc. He seems to feel if this keeps up he is going to ask that the rest of the $5000 be paid.

Old Business: None.

New Business:

	Motion by Burgett, seconded by Hurley, to adopt the Mining Ordinance-2002-03- Resolution. Roll call vote, Beckwith aye, Burgett aye, Fogarty aye, Harrington aye, Hurley aye.
	Motion by Fogarty, seconded by Harrington, to table the decision on the Mechanical Inspector and advertise for Mechanical Inspector applicants. Carried unanimously.
	Motion by Beckwith, seconded by Burgett, to appoint Max Streeter as assistant Fire Chief, and Ken Goodwin as Captain, of the Fire Department. Carried. 4 yes, 1 no.
	Motion by Fogarty, seconded by Burgett, to send $100 to the Van Buren County Historical Society for improvements. Carried unanimously.
	Motion by Burgett, seconded by Hurley, to approve Resolution 2002-04-Adopt Recreation Plan. Roll call vote. Beckwith aye, Burgett aye, Fogarty aye, Harrington aye, Hurley aye.

Notices: It has been rumored that Grand Junction School might be closed at the end of the school year. Please show community support by attending the School Board Meeting on Monday, February 25, 2002, at the Bloomingdale Jr./Sr. High School.

Public Comment: 1) A plaque should be dedicated to Larry Burgett for his accomplishments during his term in office.

2)Firefighter J.C.-I have been a part of fire fighting and ambulance services since I was able to walk . I take things pretty serious when someone attacks these organizations. Most people that attack are ignorant and don’t know what they are talking about.

3) The fire department has come a long way since 9/11.

Adjourned: 8:23 PM

Mary Burgett, Clerk

Dean Beckwith, Supervisor