- The regular meeting of the Holton Township Board was called to order at 7:00 pm at the Holton Township Hall, 6511 Holton Whitehall Road.
- Pledge of Allegiance was given by all present
- Roll Call of Members: Clerk Hippler, present; Trustee Jager, present; Treasurer Halbower, present; Trustee Schroeder, absent; Supervisor Jager, present.
- Set the Agenda: Added 12 D- Hire New Fire Fighter and 12 E- 2 MFR Classes under New Business.
- Review the Minutes
- 090120 Trustee Jager made a motion to approve the August 11, 2020 regular meeting minutes as presented. Second by Treasurer Halbower. CARRIED.
- Payment of the Bills
- 090220 Trustee Jager made a motion to approve the payment of the August bills as presented. Second by Treasurer Halbower. CARRIED.
- Business From the Floor
- Jason Kolkema- Candidate for District Court Judge. Presented literature to all present. Graduate from Fruitport High School, Law Degree from MSU Law School. Worked in some criminal law, mostly civil law. Has been working in the area for the last 7 years, wants to meet with as many people as possible.
- Ronald Stitt-property borders 8400 Holton Road. Stated neighbors have been living in campers on the property since winter and have built a berm that crosses his property line. Also says they have a tree that fell onto his property that has not been taken care of. Mr. Stitt has met with the township Zoning Administrator as well as the other property owner. Mr. Stitt was told by the other property owner that he had met with Supervisor Jager and was told the issue was about marijuana which Mr. Stitt refuted. Mr. Stitt believes the township is allowing his property to be taken and wants action. Also wanted it made clear that his son is also against marijuana operations. Wants clarity on how ordinances are going to be enforced.
- Supervisor Jager- The Township does not get involved in property line disputes and they should be handled by the property owners and their attorneys. Property owners at 8400 Holton Road are growing marijuana under their rights of the State Medical Marijuana Law. If Mr. Gibbs plans to build anything, he must come to the township for permits and site plan review.
- Treasurer Halbower- Believes that as property is in a commercial district, site plans will need to be presented unless the property meets R1 standards for an exception. Stated the berm is not in the character of the neighborhood and that the township also has fencing ordinances that could apply to the property as well.
- Diane Bayle- Corner of Marvin Rd/Maple Island Road- Concerned over numerous accidents at the corner, most coming from westbound traffic. At least 7 accidents in the last year and would like the township to reach out to the road commission and state police to assess options for improving safety.
- Supervisor Jager- has talked to MCRC. Was told rumble strips would cause too many noise complaints. He will talk more with them about adding a light. Will ask the MCRC to reach out to Newaygo County as well.
- Treasurer Halbower- Township could ask for a traffic study.
- Joe Clark- Level II assessor, enrolled in State Assessor III program. Family from the Holton area. Presented resume for Township Assessor position.
- Treasurer’s Report
- 090320– Trustee Jager made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s report as presented. Second by Clerk Hippler. CARRIED.
- Department Reports
- Fire Department- 37 calls last month. 6 auto accidents in 7 days with three deaths. The Fire Chief’s Association provides assistance to firefighters dealing with the accidents, Fire Chief Hawk urges drivers to pay attention and slow down. Asked the township to reach out to the Sheriff’s Department for a stronger presence in the area.
- Fire Academy starts in January. Fire department is looking for more firefighters.
- Correspondence- None
- Unfinished Business- None
- New Business:
- Selection of Assessor- Township received 4 bids: Cory Burns, Muskegon County Department of Equalization, Ed Vandervries and Joe Clark.
- 090420 Trustee Jager made a motion to hire Cory Burns as the Township Assessor for $24,000 for 1 year. Second by Supervisor Jager.
- Discussion: Trustee Jager believed Mr. Burns would do an excellent job serving the Township and he offered his services at a lower price than the county. Mr. Burns would also provide two days of office hours to the township.
- Supervisor Jager also believed Mr. Burns would do a good job but thought the lower contract price of another bid was something to consider.
- Clerk Hippler- believed Mr. Burns would do a good job but was concerned about having only one person handling the township assessing. Believed that having a team may offer more protection to the township in terms of oversight and management of records. Also worried about protecting assessor from accusations of impartiality if there was only one individual.
- Martha Hicks- Believed Mr. Burns would do a great job. Stated there are many benefits to having a local assessor. She has had issues with the county in the past.
- Donna Vandervries- MC Equalization director- refuted Ms. Hicks’ claims. Points to MC Equalization’s perfect score with the State’s AMAR reviews.
- Roll Call Vote: Supervisor Jager, No; Treasurer Halbower, No; Clerk Hippler, No; Trustee Schroeder, absent; Trustee Jager, Yes. FAILED.
- 090520 Supervisor Jager made a motion to hire Ed Vandervries as Township Assessor for $21,000 per year.
- Roll Call Vote: Trustee Jager, no; Treasurer Halbower, no; Trustee Schroeder, absent; Supervisor Jager, yes; Clerk Hippler, yes. FAILED.
- 090620 Treasurer Halbower made a motion to hire Muskegon County Equalization for Township assessing for $30,000 a year. Second by Clerk Hippler.
- Roll Call Vote: Supervisor Jager, no; Clerk Hippler, yes; Trustee Schroeder, absent; Treasurer Halbower, yes; Trustee Jager, no. FAILED.
- 090720 Supervisor Jager made a motion to reconsider hiring Ed Vandervries as Township assessor at $21,000 for 3 years with a 60 day cancellation clause. Second by Clerk Hippler.
- Roll Call vote: Treasurer Halbower, yes; Trustee Schroeder, absent; Clerk Hippler, yes; Supervisor Jager, yes; Trustee Jager, no. CARRIED.
- 090820 Treasurer Halbower made a motion to allow Clerk Hippler to purchase 2 ballot containers for $152. Second by Trustee Jager. CARRIED.
- 090920 Treasurer Halbower made a motion to allow the clerk to purchase 3 long term ballot storage bags for $60. Second by Trustee Jager. CARRIED.
- 091020 Trustee Jager made a motion to hire Robert Langon to the Holton Fire Department pending a medical screening. Second by Clerk Hippler. Discussion: Board wishes Mr. Langon good luck. CARRIED.
- 091120 Trustee Jager made a motion to approve sending two firefighters to the MFR course. Second by Supervisor Jager. Discussion: Chief Hawk stated the courses will begin October 1st and will be partially completed online to allow for more accessibility. CARRIED.
- Future Business: None
- 091220 Trustee Jager made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:37. Second by Treasurer Halbower. ADJOURNED.