Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance given by all present

In the absence of Clerk Johnson, Trustee Kittel agreed to record minutes of meeting.

Roll Call: Treasurer Halbower, Supervisor Noble, Trustee Wilson, and Trustee Kittel present; Clerk Johnson absent.

Agenda– Add new Business: 12:4 Executive Session for discussion of legal matters

Review of minutes of November 8th, 2011 Meeting  

120111            Motion made by Treasurer Halbower to accept the minutes for November 8th, 2011 minutes as presented. Trustee Wilson seconded. CARRIED.

Review of Bills:

120211            Motion made by Trustee Wilson to pay the bills as presented.  Trustee Kittel seconded. CARRIED.

Business from the Floor: None 

 Treasurer’s Report: 

 120311            Trustee Wilson made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report as presented.  Trustee Kittel seconded.  CARRIED.

Department Reports:

 Fire Chief Stevens reported … 81 paid and 69 volunteer for a total of 150 man hours for the month of November.  Expenses from the 206 account of $7,222.82 currently 23% under budget.  No expenses from the 216 account, currently 21% under budget.

Received the air packs and have started training to begin the change over.  The radio work is done, the cab and chassis will be done mid or end of the month.

Al Jager questioned how the township feels about the proposed change in the 911 service to a regional dispatch. Reported the County Commission is not in favor of the

change.

Art Stevens reported the fire departments are fighting the change.  It would cost $100,000 to change and would be less effective as Muskegon County has the best system in the state.

Tom West Planning Commission Chair stated he had nothing to report but was curious about the new proposed phone/computer system and how it might affect the online training programs.

Unfinished Business:  None

New Business:  

 New telephone system for fire department and township hall.

Art Stevens, Mick Noble and Al Wilson presented information on the costs and benefits of a new phone for the fire department and the township hall. Art stated the Fire Department already has fiber optic lines and that the installation of the new phone system would save the Fire Department 50-60% a year and the service would be better.  Costs for running the fiber optic lines to the township hall were not available and the savings were not substantial for the town hall. Questions were also proposed regarding the viability of the system as technology is changing quickly.

120411            Trustee Wilson made a motion to establish a resolution to allow Fire Chief Stevens to proceed with the purchase of the new phone system for the fire department at a cost of $4,020.38. Treasurer Halbower seconded.           Roll Call Vote: Treasurer Halbower: Yes, Supervisor Noble: Yes, Clerk Johnson: Absent, Trustee Kittel: Yes, Trustee Wilson: Yes.  RESOLUTION PASSED.

20/80 Insurance opt out.

120511            Treasurer Halbower  made a resolution to exempt itself from the requirements of Act 152 for the next succeeding calendar year 2012.  Trustee Wilson seconded: Treasurer Halbower: Yes, Supervisor Noble: Yes, Clerk Johnson: Absent, Trustee Kittel: Yes, Trustee Wilson: Yes.  RESOLUTION PASSED.

Old pension accounts.

Supervisor Noble reported that Clerk Johnson’s attempts to clear out two small pension accounts have been unsuccessful.  The representative from Municipal Retirement Systems recommended turning them over to the state as unclaimed cash.

120611            Trustee Kittel made a motion to turn the two old pension accounts over to the state.  Trustee Wilson seconded.  CARRIED.

Supervisor Noble reported a change in dates of service for the transfer station citing that people requested the change due to the holidays.  The transfer station will be closed Saturday December 24 and 31 and will be open on Monday December 26th and Tuesday January 2nd.

Executive Session to discuss legal matters.

120711            Treasurer Halbower made a motion to go into executive session at 7:55p.m. for legal issues.  Trustee Wilson seconded.  CARRIED.

120811            Treasurer Halbower made a motion to reopen public session at 8:16 p.m.  Trustee Wilson seconded.  CARRIED.

120911            Treasurer Halbower made a motion to instruct Attorney Hughes to conclude the Robert Bean Case.  Trustee Wilson seconded.  CARRIED.

Motion to Adjourn:

 121011            Trustee Wilson made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:16 p.m.                                      Treasurer Halbower seconded.  CARRIED.

Meeting adjourned at 8:16 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Anita Kittel

Holton Township Trustee