SPRINGPORT TOWNSHIP BOARD
February 13, 2006

The regular meeting of the Springport Township Board was called to order at 7:00 pm, February 13th, 2006 at the Springport Township Hall by Supervisor Mitchell. Members present were Travioli, Rybicki, Mitchell, Betz and Wilson. There were 4 visitors present.

Wilson stated that the meeting is being recorded to assist in the process of minutes.
Cliff Herl spoke on various issues. There is a workshop at Blackman on 2/22 at 7:00 with JNET and the Health Department regarding Meth labs. Emergency Management is going to Maryland. County is working on realignment of runway at the Airport. Will take a few years to do this. Also working on a project between 5 counties to sell farm products locally. There will be a slaughter house in Lenawee County. Also working on Farm Land Preservation Ordinance in Jackson County.

Jeff Mitchell would like to speak to the Board.

Motion by Betz to approve the minutes. Supported by Wilson. Motion carried.

Moved by Travioli to accept and file the Treasurers report of 57,693.42 in the Savings and $1,385.59 in the Checking. Supported by Rybicki. Motion carried.

Moved by Rybicki and supported by Betz to pay the Township bills in the amount of $6,164.54. Motion carried.

Moved by Rybicki and supported by Travioli to pay the Police bills in the amount of $10,836.20. Motion carried.
Rybicki gave the Police report. Liquor inspections were made with no violations. No Junk ordinance or junk vehicle ordinance citations were issued due to high attorney fees and budget crunch. Township did receive $250 in towing and storage fees due to arrest and conviction of a drunk driver.

Travioli spoke about the Planning Commission Meeting. The Planning Commission looked over the Land Division Application and asked that we take out the line about the private Rd on page 1. Also the new Zoning Books are in. There was no other new business. Lance also stated he talked to Rod about the trailer on Pope Church. Jack stated he may not be able to get an occupancy permit if it doesn’t meet code.

Lance spoke about the Fire Board meeting. A budget meeting was held and the Fire Board Budget for the year was approved for $137,825.00. It is an increase of $10,000.00 due to several increases. There was discussion about the request for $2.00 an hour raise for firemen. The Fire Board approved the raise of $1.00. Rybicki questioned what the vote on the raise was and Mitchell stated he could not remember.
Rybicki spoke about the Police Board. Patrolling hours are cut back due to budget. We are getting help from the County and a couple officers are donating their time.
Travioli stated he spoke with Jim S. from Northwest. The site is approved, he just needs a phone call and the bins will be ordered. There is no obligation. There was discussion on how often the pick up would be. Motion by Travioli to bring in the recycling bins. Supported by Rybicki. Motion carried. Rybicki stated we should let the Village know before going ahead with this. There was some discussion on this. Jeff Mitchell will talk to Village employees and get back with Rybicki. Darlene will put something in the paper.

Mitchell spoke with Jim Wardius about the Master Plan. Wardius stated we do have a Master Plan. Chuck R. from Region II will get a copy of the plan to Mitchell and then Mitchell will get with the Planning Commission.
Motion by Rybicki to set the date for the Budget Workshop for February 28th at 7:30. Support by Wilson. Motion carried.

Motion by Betz and supported by Rybicki to select option 3 to participate in the Roadside pickup with the Jackson County Sheriffs Department. Motion carried.

Wilson wanted to let the Board know that Ballot Language for upcoming Elections is May 30th for the August Election and August 29th for the November Election. The last of the Police and Fire Operating Millage is being collected right now. Mike and Rybicki are working on some proposals to get community input. Betz questioned the dates of upcoming Elections. Discussion followed on possibly putting both Police and Fire on the same Ballot. There was also discussion on Mills for the Fire.
Discussion then followed on the Fire Budget regarding if the amount of mills is enough to keep in Budget for operating. Rybicki asked Mitchell if Clarence Township went along with the Fire Board Budget increase and the raises. Mitchell stated that Clarence Township was the ones that brought it up. Wilson then asked Mitchell if he went along with it and he stated that he did go along with it. Discussion continued. Rybicki stated he would also work on Fire as well as Police. Rybicki asked if the Board had to accept the Fire Board Budget. He then stated that they just received 2 new trucks so maintenance should be less. He also said that in the last 9 years the budget has went up and our revenue sharing has went down. Betz stated that there had to be some restraints somewhere but was unsure how to do it. The option of charging for runs is still open if the money/millage runs out.

Mitchell received a letter from M-DOT. They are in final stages of the Downtown Springport changes. There is an open house on 2-21 from 2pm to 6pm. Everyone is invited.

Someone has to be there to sign papers for the Township.

Jeff Mitchell spoke to the Board about S.A.G.A. There was over $1000.00 made at the breakfast for S.A.G.A. J. Mitchell also requested that Streetor Rd be paved. Travioli also mentioned Robbins Rd as well. L. Mitchell stated he would contact Karl Schmidt with the Road Commission and ask him to come to a meeting. Bill Russell stated it may be a good idea to let the public know when he will be here so that anyone with questions could attend the meeting.
Bill Russell stated that the Spring Tree Catalog is available through Jackson County Conservation. Also in regards to the Slaughter house that Cliff was talking about, it will be for Swine, Chickens and Cattle.

Betz stated that he attended the Road Commission meeting. There is $50,00 in matching funds available to the Township but we have to match it to get it. He did question as to what happens to the money if we can’t match it. He did not get an answer on this. Betz stated it is between 160,000 to 200,000 to do a mile of road.

Wilson wanted to let the Board know that the Zoning Book will be added to the website. Wilson also gave the Board copies of the Budgets for the current year. Some budget adjustments will need to be made. Wilson also stated that the copy machine is not working properly. Also the fax is not working properly. Discussion followed. Motion by Rybicki for Travioli to make the best judgement on copier, phone/fax/answering machine combo. Supported by Wilson. Motion carried.

Motion by Betz to adjourn the meeting. Supported by Rybicki. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:37pm.