COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES

COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES

Type of Meeting:	REGULAR
Date of Meeting:	November 15, 2005 7:00 PM

Supervisor Bradford called the Regular Meeting of the Columbia Township Board to order. Present were Bradford, Burgett, Fogarty, Hurley, and Harrington. In attendance were 17 citizens.

Treasurer's Report:

General Fund	9.441.19	Road Fund	218.878.93
Fire Fund	164.813.07	Ambulance Fund	104.540.71
Trust & Agency Fund	159.049.51	Tax Fund	24.060.71
Liquor Control Fund	4.454	Housing Rehab Fund	48.060.98

Consent Agenda: Regular Meeting Minutes-October 18, 2005; Planning Commission Meeting Minutes-October 4, 2005; Public Hearing Minutes-October 18, 2005; Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes-October 3, October 17, October 24, 2005; bills through November 15, 2005; Treasurer’s Report. Motion by Burgett, second by Fogarty, to approve the Consent Agenda. Carried unanimously.

Clerk: Bills paid after the consent agenda. Lisa Lopez, Secretary, $233.88. Motion by Burgett, second by Fogarty, to approve the bills paid after the consent agenda. Carried unanimously.

Guest Speaker: Jennifer Carver, Senior Services, explained the services provided by South Haven Area Senior Services.

Public Comment: None

Announcements: None

Additions/Corrections to Agenda: Motion by Burgett, second by Fogarty, to add #8 Budget Amendment to New Business. Carried unanimously. Motion by Fogarty, second by Burgett, to add #9 Changing Bank Account to New Business. Carried unanimously.

Supervisor: No Report

Sheriff: 90 complaints received in October: 4 accidents, 4 alarm activation, 19 animal at large, 6 assault, 1 be on the look out, 4 breaking & entering, 1 cruelty/neglect; 3 cruelty to animals, 2 delinquent minor, 1 dog law violation, 6 flee/allude, 14 general assistance, 1 invasion of privacy, 5 larceny, 1 lost/found property, 3 MDOP, 1 obstructing justice, 5 public peace, 1 stolen vehicle, 7 suspicious situation, 1 vehicle inspection.

State Police: No Report.

County Commissioner: ¼ mil Transit Millage may be on the August 2006 ballot. If the township has any problems, they should send letters to all commissioners involved.

Fire Chief: 5 calls received in October: 2 mutual aid, 1 personal injury, and 2 hunting accidents. Average response time was 5.60 minutes. We have been looking for grant funding for replacement of Unit 2721.

Planning Commission: The Agricultural and Commercial Districts were discussed at our last meeting.

Neighborhood Watch: Thanks to all who voted yes for the Police Millage. Remove old newspapers, etc. from boxes belonging to people who are gone for the winter.

Book Station: The book station closed October 18, 2005, due to lack of interest by the residents. In 1992 a District Library millage was voted in. Only about 70 residents are using the District Library facilities in Bangor and Bloomingdale. Last year over $55,000 of Columbia Township’s tax dollars went to support this Library. Please contact Columbia Township to voice your opinion.

Hospital: South Haven Community Hospital has been re-accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals and Healthcare Organizations. Free Vascular Testing was offered November 16.

South Haven Senior Services: No Report.

Recreation/Cemetery: No Report.

Zoning Administrator: 15 Zoning Compliances issued in October: 1 deck, 2 pole barns, 3 garages, 1 pole barn addition, 1 balcony enclosure, 2 communication towers, 1 double wide, 1 attached garage, 1 roof over deck, 1 sun room, 1 modular.

Correspondence: Jim Jeffreys appeal to Circuit Court is proceeding.

Discussion: George Harrington stated that he had his utility bills for the property in Columbia Township to prove that he resides at that residence. He also stated that he slept there sometimes.

Farley Gruber stated that #2721 needs to be replaced. The frame is rusting through and the engine needs rebuilding.

Old Business: Motion by Burgett, second by Fogarty, to approve $350, to Mark Page, to Brush Hog Grand Junction Cemetery and Grade 2 drives at the Breedsville Cemetery. Carried unanimously.

New Business:

Notices:

	Motion by Burgett, second by Hurley, to offer property 1124B to the highest bidder after the attorney gives the go ahead to sell the property. Carried unanimously.
	Motion by Burgett, second by Fogarty, to authorize $2000 for 4 people to go to the MTA convention in January. Carried unanimously.
	Motion by Burgett, second by Hurley, to approve Resolution 2005-25, Board of Review March Meeting Date. Roll call vote. Bradford aye, Burgett aye, Fogarty aye, Hurley aye, Harrington aye. Carried unanimously.
	Motion by Burgett, second by Hurley, to approve Resolution 2005-27, Septic Ordinance Amendment. Roll call vote: Bradford aye, Burgett aye, Fogarty aye, Hurley aye, Harrington aye. Carried unanimously.
	Motion by Burgett, second by Fogarty, to designate Sites 138 & 139 in Breedsville Cemetery at no cost to persons who qualify. Carried unanimously.
	Motion by Burgett, second by Hurley, to approve Keith’s Stripping to strip the tile floors in the township hall at a cost of $200. Carried unanimously.
	Motion by Fogarty, second by Burgett, to allocate $5000 from the Housing Fund for Emergency Heating for those who qualify, subject to state approval. Carried unanimously.
	Motion by Burgett, second by Fogarty, to approve Resolution 2005-26, Budget Amendment. Roll call vote: Bradford aye, Burgett aye, Fogarty aye, Hurley aye, Harrington aye.
	Motion by Fogarty, second by Burgett, to change the Special Assessment Checking Account from a Money Market to a regular checking account. Carried unanimously.
	Commodities December 9, 2005—9:00 am to Noon
	Planning Commission Meeting—December 6, 2005—7:00 pm
	Blood Pressure/Sugar Clinic-December 9, 2005-9:30-10:30 am
	Closed November 20 thru 28 for Thanksgiving

Public Comment: George Harrington stated that Antwerp was paying a 40-hour deputy less than what Columbia Township was.

Adjourned: 8:37 PM Motion by Burgett, second by Hurley, to adjourn. Carried unanimously.

Mary Burgett, Clerk

Dale Bradford, Supervisor