Monday July 14, 2008 9:00 p.m.
Meeting began at the Middle Branch Cemeteries for evaluation. Those present: Don Williams, Sarah Blackledge, Beverly Orvis, Patricia Michell, Bob Hoard and Patrick Babcock.
Meeting resumed at the Middle Branch Township Hall at 7:10 p.m.
Board Members present: Sarah Blackledge, Peggy Hoard, Bev Orvis, Patricia Michell and Don Williams.
Guests Present: Carol Halladay-Osceola Co. Treasurer, Lynne Austin-Deputy Treasurer, Bob Hoard-Grounds Keeper & Assistant Sexton, Alan Ginrich-Running for Road Commissioner for two year term. Brian & Vickie Cushman-Middle Branch Township Assessors & Brian running for Road Commissioner for 4 years.
Don Williams called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Don acknowledged guests.
*Carol Halladay passed out pens and leaflets to each
present. Carol described her reasons to
run for re-election for
*Alan Ginrich passed out leaflets to promote his running for Road Commissioner for 2 years. He answered questions.
*Brian Cushman addressed the Board on his running for the 4 year term on the Road Commission. He answered questions.
*Vickie reminded the Board that the Board of Review would be meeting on the 22 of July at 5:00 p.m. She also inquired about their contract they sent to Don Williams. Don stated he did not receive the contract. Vickie will fax it to the office and will meet with the Board at the Sept. 8th meeting.
*Bob Hoard requested a $2.00 increase per hour for the mowing and trimming. He stated that when he took the job of grounds keeper fuel was $2.00 per gallon. Is has more than doubled in price. Bev made a motion to increase mowing and trimming $2.00 per hour. Peggy 2nd the motion. Those in favor of the motion: Bev, Peggy and Pat. Those opposed: Don and Sarah. Bob requested placing a tipped head stone at the cemetery into the storage shed for safety reasons. Bev made the motion that Bob remove the dangerous head stone and place it in locked storage. Sarah 2nd the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
Minutes were read and approved.
Treasurer reported we have $85,014.30 plus $10.00 in savings for a total of $85,024.30..
Don made a motion to pay checks 4469-4487 and 4070-4097 and to pay Main Street Electric $565.00. Bev 2nd the motion. All were in favor and motion passed.
Old Business:
Attorney James White did not attend this meeting so the Zoning and Officer were tabled.
Well and Septic work was done, however the sewer line insulation and clean outs have not been done. Don will contact the company.
Don said the pines would bring in about $6,000.00. He asked if we wanted to sell them now or wait. Discussion followed and it was agreed to wait on a decision for now.
Choosing burial sites was requested. Sarah asked if she would sell hers back to the Township. She was told she could get the original price for them. Don made no comment.
The Marion Public Library Contract was brought up. Pat had forgotten to check on this but will do so before the next meeting.
The new electrical work was completed at the cemetery. A new pole was installed, the old one taken away, new 100 amp overhead service and 1 G.F.I. receptacle installed. Materials and labor cost $565.00.
New Business:
The typed 2008 State Poverty Guidelines were reviewed. Don made a motion to accept the amended Middle Branch Township Hardship (Poverty) Exemption Policy and accept the 2008 federal poverty guidelines. Sarah 2nd the motion. Those voting in favor were: Don Williams, Patricia Michell, Beverly Orvis, Sarah Blackledge and Peggy Hoard. Motion carried.
Rubbish Day was discussed. Bev stated that all 4 roll off dumpsters were very full and that there wouldn’t have been enough room for all the waste if someone had not taken away some for themselves. 56 people used the dumpsters. Don made a motion to move the October rubbish day to Thursday October 9th from noon to 7:00 p.m. and reserve 4 dumpsters. Peggy 2nd the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
Pat discussed the properties that were going up for sale and did the Township want to purchase them. Discussion followed as the properties were looked up. Everyone agreed the Township did not want to purchase the properties.
Bev brought up the need for bush hogging the property by the cemeteries. Don said he would do it for $50.00 per hour. Bob would do it for $22.00 per hour. The board will determine which way to go.
Peggy said her and Bob Hoard had paid their own way to the Annual Cemeteries convention and gained much valuable information. She also showed the Board the Marion Press dated June 25, 2008. The ad for the Registration notice had the following errors: Deadline for registering for the General Election was placed as Tuesday November 7, 2000 instead of 2008, they listed the Middle Branch Township clerk as Carla Haenlein instead of Peggy Hoard, they listed the Middle Branch Township Hall as not being barrier free instead of completely barrier free, and they listed the Hall contact phone number at 743-2456 instead of 743-6342. Peggy called them July 25, July 3, and July 9th to request the corrections be placed in the paper. To date no corrections have been made. The Board agreed NOT to pay for the ad.
Don made a motion to have someone cut the trees on the fence line and that person would receive the wood and must haul away the brush, also to have Bob remove the remainder of the fence on the West side of the cemetery and all of the fence on the South side of the cemetery all the way to Johnson’s property. Sarah 2nd the motion. All were in favor and motion passed. Don requested to contact Attorney James White to draw up on ordinance against blight and burned buildings. Sarah 2nd the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed. Don will bring the drawn up ordinance to the September 8, 2008 Township Board Meeting for examination, corrections, approval.
Next meeting will be held on Monday, September 8th beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Hall. Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Peggy Hoard,