1) Supervisor Jager called the regular meeting to order at 7:02 pm at the Holton Township Hall.
2) Pledge of Allegiance given by all present.
3) Board Members present: Trustee Jager, Clerk Hippler, Treasurer Halbower (arrived after roll call), Supervisor Jager. Absent: Trustee Schroeder.
4) Agenda Set without changes.
5) 010119 Trustee Jager made the motion to approve the December 11, 2018 Regular Meeting Minutes as presented. Second by Supervisor Jager. CARRIED
6) 010219 Trustee Jager made the motion to pay the bills as presented. Second by Supervisor Jager. Carried.
7) Business from the Floor
A) Mike Hiles, Holton Duck Lake Road, Holton; expressed concern regarding the sex offender status of a member of the Holton Fire Department, urged the board to act to prevent safety concerns and avoid negative public perception.
B) Clieve Young, Meinert Road, Holton; concerned with the moving of fire equipment from the department; concerned over the limited number of reliable fire fighters, respect for chain of command, and deterioration at the fire department.
C) Michael Dyer, Holton Duck Lake Road, Holton; would like to see secure fencing around the transfer station for safety, would like the board to investigate state requirements; concerned over biodigester and the impact it has on residents.
D) David McCastle, 3rd Street, Holton; would like to see someone with knowledge and experience of fire fighting included on the interview board for fire chief; expressed concern over disregard of chain of command at fire department; suggested a citizen board to oversee fire department and would be willing to volunteer to serve.
E) Michelle McCastle, 3rd Street, Holton; former clerk, explained that Holton Employment policy was created to address married couples working at the cemetery and for employees under the direct supervision of the supervisor and maintenance supervisor; cited research regarding common family traditions at many fire departments.
F) Art Stevens, Schow Road, Holton; stated fire service is a family tradition; other fire departments have created nepotism policies which have created problems and suggested the board amend the employment policy to exempt fire and police departments.
G) Amy Brookhouse, Holton Duck Lake Road, Holton; cited research stating nepotism laws are designed to prevent financial favoritism; would like to see experts in the field included on the interview committee for fire chief; reminded the board of the necessity and duty to follow and understand all township policies.
H) Mike Hiles, Holton Duck Lake Road, Holton; wanted to clarify that he had asked fire department and board to address fire member concerns he mentioned earlier but had not had a response and felt like addressing it at the meeting was necessary.
I) Malinda Pego, 3rd street, Holton; concerned about trash between High School and District Service Building, would like to see a trash can made available; wanted to know response time requirements/procedures for emergencies. David McCastle explained response times of 5 minutes and mutual aid contracts with local departments.
8) 010319 Trustee Jager made the motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report. Second by Clerk Hippler. Treasurer Halbower stated funds remaining with PNC will be transferred to Choice One in a week. CDs will remain spread in consideration of FDIC insurance. CARRIED.
9) Department Reports
A) Library: Julie Vanderboegh presented the MADL Newsletter which featured Holton Library. The Dog Man Police academy program had 50 visitors January 8, 2019.
B) Cemetery: Julie Vanderboegh stated Kevin Elliot was doing a great job. Requested the board approve funds to have Marc Hawk consult with Mr. Elliot over the cemetery computer program.
a) 010419 Treasurer Halbower made the motion to pay Marc Hawk at the equivalent of his former wage for consulting on the cemetery computer system. Second by Clerk Hippler. Carried.
C) Permits: 16 permits were issued in December for fees totaling $2,545.00.
D) Planning Commission: Special Meeting will be held January 12 at 1 pm regarding Master Plan. Regular Meeting Scheduled for January 15th, Site Planning Meeting will be in February.
E) Fire Department: December Man hours were 110 paid, 25 volunteer, 135 total hours. Department is 23% under budget. December calls: 15 Holton, 7 Cedar Creek. Total calls for 2018 was 334 and current 2019 calls are 5. PNC financing was not completed, funding through Choice One for the new tanker truck is being pursued. Engine/Chassis status will be known by Friday. Payment will be $100,000 from fire fund and $288,000 financed.
10) Correspondence: Clerk Hippler shared parade policy suggestion submitted by Holton School Board President Amy Brookhouse. Clerk Hippler suggested a complete review and compilation of all Township policy.
11) Unfinished Business: Employment Policy, especially nepotism policy and Fire exemption will be reviewed.
12) New Business
A) Fire Department Purchases
a) 010519 Treasurer Halbower made the motion to approve the purchase of an air compressor from Tractor Supply Company for $900. Second by Trustee Jager. CARRIED
b) 010619 Trustee Jager made the motion to approve the purchase of a Laview 16 Channel nvr Security Camera System for $1,400. Second by Treasure Halbower. CARRIED.
c) 010719 Trustee Jager made the motion to approve the purchase of a battery charger from Northern Tool and Equipment for $330. Second by Treasurer Halbower. CARRIED.
B) Approval of Ballot Language: Petitions circulated regarding the Zoning Ordinance changes allowing Medical Marijuana facilities gathered the required number of signatures. Clerk Hippler submitted the petition language to the law offices of Williams and Hughes for review and proposal language guidance. The proposal will be on the May 2019 ballot.
a) 010819 Clerk Hippler made the motion to approve the proposed ballot language “Shall the Township of Holton amend the Zoning Ordinance at Article 7, Section 7.06, which governs special use permits in the Agriculture A-1 zoning district, and Article 9, Section 9.0, which governs special use permits in the Commercial C-1 zoning district, to allow medical marihuana facilities as special uses in those districts? Yes No“ for the May 2019 election. Second by Supervisor Jager. ROLL CALL VOTE:
Trustee Schroeder: Absent
Supervisor Jager: YES
Clerk Hippler: YES
Trustee Jager: YES
Treasurer Halbower: Yes
MOTION CARRIED
C) 010919 Treasurer Halbower made the motion to accept the resignation of Gary Weller as Mechanical Inspector. Second by Trustee Jager. CARRIED
D) 011019 Treasurer Halbower made the motion to accept the resignation of Bob Tufts, Jr as Building Inspector. Second by Trustee Jager. CARRIED
E) 011119 Trustee Jager made the motion to approve the appointment of Jim Hoppus as Mechanical Inspector. Second by Treasurer Halbower. Treasurer Halbower verified that Mr. Hoppus will be contractual. CARRIED
F) 011219 Treasurer Halbower made the motion to approve the purchase of 6 plastic tables for the Township Hall. Second by Trustee Jager.
G) 011319 Treasurer Halbower made the motion to reappoint Julie Vanderboegh and Tim Ylitalo to the Planning Commission for 3-year terms. Second by Trustee Jager. CARRIED
H) 011419 Treasurer Halbower made the motion to reappoint Tammy Jager and Herman Straub to Zoning Board of Appeals for 3-year terms. Second by Supervisor Jager. CARRIED
I) 011519 Trustee Jager made the motion to appoint Harley Maginity and to reappoint Bill Halbower and Anita Kittel to the Park Commission for 3-year terms. Second by Clerk Hippler. CARRIED
J) 011619 Trustee Jager made the motion to appoint Cheyenne Williams and to reappoint Herman Straub, Steve Mullins, and alternate Tom West to the Board of Review for 2-year terms. Second by Treasurer Halbower. CARRIED
K) 011719 Trustee Jager made the motion to reappoint Tommy Monette, Jr. to the Construction Board of Appeals for a 2-year term. Second by Treasurer Halbower. CARRIED.
13) Future Business: None
14) 011819 Trustee Jager made the motion to adjourn. Second by Clerk Hippler. CARRIED
ADJOURNED AT 8:28 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah Hippler, Clerk