The Regular Meeting of the Columbia Township Board was called to order by Supervisor Beckwith. Present were Beckwith, Burgett, Fogarty, Harrington and Hurley was absent. In attendance were 29 citizens.

Consent Agenda: Regular Meeting Minutes-October 21, 2003; Planning Commission Meeting Minutes-October 7, 2003; bills through November 17, 2003; Treasurer’s Report. Motion by Burgett, second by Fogarty, to approve the Consent Agenda. Carried.

Clerk: No Report

Public Comment: None

Announcements: Happy Birthday to Mary Fogarty and Vic Sedlak.

Additions/Corrections to Agenda: None

Guest Speaker: None

Supervisor: No Report

Sheriff: 118 complaints received in October: 16 accidents, 12 alarm activation, 1 ambulance standby, 1 animal control, 7 assault, 3 be on the look out, 5 breaking & entering, 3 civil/property disputes, 1 conservation, fire/ems, 1 fraudulent activity, 7 general assistance, 2 harassing/nuisance, 2 health & safety, 2 invasion of privacy, 2 larceny, 3 MDOP, 17 medical response, 7 obstructing justice, 1 under the influence of liquor, 6 public peace, 1 stolen vehicle, 4 suspicious situation, 2 traffic violation, 4 vehicle inspection, 6 wrecker request.

State Police: No Report.

County Commissioner: Van Buren County is looking into obtaining a new phone system to replace their outdated one. The county is looking at a 10% cut in Revenue Sharing.

Fire Chief: 7 calls since October 13, 2003, 1 car fire, 2 transformer fire/downed wire, 1 medical assist, 1 mutual aid, 2 personal injury. Average response time was 5.14 minutes. 19 Firefighters are on the Columbia Township Fire Department.

Planning Commission: A public hearing for the Riparian Waterfront Lot Use Regulations Keyhole or Funnel Waterfront Access Ordinance will be held December 2, 2003, at 7:00 pm.

Neighborhood Watch: Next meeting will be March 4, 2004-7:30 pm. The Van Buren County Sheriff and Columbia Township Neighborhood Watch were awarded a $500 grant from Sams Club. To help prevent break-ins during the winter months watch your neighbor’s house and be sure to remove papers from mail boxes.

Book Station: No Report.

Hospital: This year the hospital food drive broke all time records. Construction work is still being done on the hospital.

South Haven Senior Services: There has been an increase in the services provided to Columbia Township. This includes home visits, phone contacts, blood pressure/blood sugar screening, and transportation provided to doctors appointments, etc. There has also been an increase in the number of seniors attending the social events at the Township Hall.

Recreation/Cemetery: No Report.

Zoning Administrator: 9 Zoning Compliances issued in October: 2 double wide, 2 single wide, 2 additions, 1 pole building, and 1 agricultural addition.

Blight Officer: No Report.

Correspondence: None

Notices:

1)  Senior Bingo/Lunch November 26--1:00-3:00pm

2)  Blood Pressure/Sugar Clinic-December 11, 2003-9:30-10:30 am

3) Commodities November 21—9:00 am to Noon

4) Closed 11/24—11/29 for Thanksgiving

Public Comment: A thank you was given to Vic Sedlak for including the locations of the zoning compliances in his monthly report.

Adjourned: 7:40 PM

Mary Burgett, Clerk

Dean Beckwith, Supervisor