MIDDLE
BRANCH TOWNSHIP REGULAR BOARD MEETING
Saturday May 10th, 2008,
9:00 a.m.
Board Members present: Sarah Blackledge,
Peggy Hoard, Bev Orvis, Patricia Michell and Don Williams.
Guests Present: Barbara Tower, Lori
Leudeman, Lynne Austin, Brian & Vickie Cushman
Don Williams called the meeting to order at
9:00 a.m.
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Don acknowledged guests. Barbara Tower
requested a hook put on the basement door for safety reasons. She also
asked about the new markers for the cemeteries. The Board will have a
hook and eye installed on the basement door. The Board advised Barbara
that the markers were in and those they would be placed this summer.
Lori Leudeman addressed the Board regarding
her running for County Treasurer and passed out her card.
Cushman’s addressed the Board. They handed
out the 2008 assessment report to the Board. They also presented a bid
for a contract for the next three years. Bid for 2009 $7500.00, 2010
$7500 and 2011 $8500. In addition the Township would be responsible for
postage, one toner, (black only), one case of paper (lowest grade
possible) with the toner and paper not to exceed $125.00. Included will
be mileage and phone usage, an assessor attending all the Board of Reviews
for the full duration of the meetings. Contract dates would be 4-1-2009
to 3-31-2010, 4-1-2010 to 3-31-2011 and 4-1-2011 to 3-31-2012. See
contract for further information. Discussion followed. Peggy questioned
about the Board obtaining bids from other assessors. Bev brought it to
the attention of the Board that the Cushman’s bid is only about $8.00 per
parcel and that we couldn’t find a cheaper one. Don made a motion to
accept Cushman’s three year contract. Bev 2nd the motion. All
were in favor. Pat asked Cushman’s if the Fire Dept. was paid by the
Township on taxable value. Cushman’s said yes.
Minutes were read and approved.
Treasurer reported we have $84,882.48 plus
$10.00 in savings.
Bev made a motion to pay checks 4457-4468
and 4064-4069. Sarah 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.
New Business:
Middle Branch Township Poverty Exemption
Policy was discussed. Peggy had typed a new policy from the Board of
Review’s training packet, as her and Don had not met together to revise
the policy. Don advised the Board that he had faxed the 2005 Middle
Branch Township Hardship (Poverty) exemption Policy to MTA and they said
the policy was fine with the exception of: No. 1 removes the words twelve
(12) months out of the year, No. 3 removes the entire first line, and No.
12 removes the entire paragraph. Peggy will retype this policy with the
corrections and submit it at the July Board meeting.
Wording for the additional mileage for roads
was discussed. It is uncertain if the Commissioners will seek a mileage
for roads. If they do it will for black top roads/chip and seal. The
Board tabled the mileage/road issue.
It was brought to the attention of the Board
that Don and Sarah have purchased plots in the cemetery, but have not
chosen the site. Peggy advised that she can not put the information in
the computer/cemetery program unless she knows what plots they actually
own.
Peggy made a motion to change the Board
meeting days and times from the 2nd Saturday of the month at
9:00 a.m. to the 2nd Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. Bev 2nd
the motion. Voting yes: Peggy, Bev and Pat. Voting no: Don and Sarah.
Motion carried.
Bev will drive May 12th to the
MTA Spring Conference. All 5 members of the Board have signed up to
attend and have been paid for. We will leave at 8:15 a.m.
Peggy suggested that we have the October
Rubbish day on a Thursday to help prevent others from using the dumpsters
over the week end. Discussion followed. It was noted the time would be
best from noon until 7:00 p.m. Don made the motion to hold the October
rubbish day on Thursday, October 9th, 2008 from noon until 7:00
p.m. Peggy 2nd the motion. All were in favor and the motion
passed.
The trip to the cemeteries was tabled until
the July meeting where we will meet at the cemeteries on July 14th
at 6:15 p.m. and then continue the Board meeting at the Township Hall at
7:00 p.m...
Peggy asked if someone would check with the
Library about a contract with the Township and the money amount. Pat
volunteered to take care of this.
It was reminded that OCTA would be at the
Hall Monday, May 19 at 7:00 p.m.
Don announced that he was running for Road
Commissioner for two years and not seeking Supervisor for Middle Branch
Township.
Next meeting will be held on Monday, July 14th
beginning at 6:15 p.m. at the cemeteries and continuing at 7:00 p.m. at
the Hall.
Meeting adjourned at 10:35 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Peggy Hoard, Clerk
Middle
Branch Township