Call To Order: Meeting called to order at the Holton Township Hall, 6511 Holton White Hall Road, at 7:00pm.

Pledge of Allegiance given by all present.

Roll Call of Board Members: Treasurer Halbower, Trustee Jager, Clerk Hippler, Supervisor Jager, Trustee Schroeder all present.

Agenda set with the addition of 12h-Purchase Tools from West Shore Fire

090119 Trustee Jager made a motion to approve the minutes from the August 13, 2019 Regular Board meeting. Second by Trustee Schroeder. CARRIED.

090219 Trustee Jager made a motion to approve the payment of the bills as presented. Second by Treasurer Halbower. CARRIED.

Business from the Floor

David Fook, 6048 Syers.  Wondered who was responsible for the sidewalks on Syers Road to the school? Would like to plow/clear sidewalks for students in the winter. Understands he does so at his own risk.

Melinda Pego, 6230 Third Street. Questions regarding Agenda Item 12A. Did not believe the taxpayers should have to pay for another legal opinion on what she believed was a settled matter.

Amy Brookhouse, 10549 Holton Duck Lake Road. Comments on letter from EGLE and MDART stating the lagoons in Holton Township are not agricultural operations. Wants the Township to take more steps to prevent more lagoons. Believes it is in the Township’s best interest to hire an expert in a field whenever possible.

Theodora Snyder, 9189 Maple Island Road. Would like more communication regarding lagoons. Was told by EGLE the contents are regulated like industrial waste.  Feels the lagoons and content are negatively affecting soil and water quality.

Art Stevens. Wants the Township to exercise due diligence when it comes to the lagoons. Believe there should have been more done at the Planning Commission in 2016. Requests Planning Commission Minutes from Nov and Dec 2016.

Louis Slater. Believes Attorney Kaufman is an expert and wants the best attorney possible.

090319 Trustee Jager made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report as presented. Second by Clerk Hippler. CARRIED.

Department Reports

Zoning, Permits, and Enforcement reports presented in writing. Building Inspector Tom Morratta introduced himself.

Fire Department: Challenge coins presented to Board members. Interim Chiefs Grabinski and McCastle will be ending their service with HFD September 13.  They both enjoyed their time with HFD. Trustee Jager thanked them for their service to Holton. Calls for 2019 already exceed calls for 2018 by 29 runs.

Library: New MADL Newsletter is available.  Summer Reading Program is finished and was very successful. New Fall Programs will be beginning soon.

Correspondence

Supervisor Jager received a letter from EGLE regarding Lagoons. It is available for public review.

Senator Bumstead sent a letter on pending legislation regarding mining of natural resources.

Blue Lake Township sent notice they will be reviewing/updating their Master Plan.

CSX proposed a land rental contract of $350 a year with a 3% annual increase.

Holton Business and Civic Association sent a letter that the group will be disbanding. Holton Township will assume responsibility for the park on Main Street.

Senator Bumstead will be holding office hours at Holton Township Hall on September 13th from 1-2pm.

Representative VanWoerkem will hold office hours at Holton Township Hall on September 27 from 9-10am.

Unfinished Business

RESOLUTION 09012019 2019 Ordinance 1 Commonly Known as Sign Regulation. Treasurer Halbower made a motion to adopt 2019 Ordinance 1 Commonly Known as Sign Regulation as written. Second by Trustee Schroeder.Discussion: Trustee Jager would like more time to review. Roll Call Vote: Treasurer Halbower-Yes, Supervisor Jager-Yes, Trustee Schroeder-Yes, Trustee Jager-No, Clerk Hippler-Yes. ADOPTED.

New Business

090419 Treasurer Halbower made a motion to hire Planning and Zoning Attorney Catherine Kaufman. Second by Trustee Jager. Discussion: Trustee Schroeder disagreed with actions taken by other board members to hire this attorney. Would prefer to use a local attorney. Treasurer Halbower stated he would like a second opinion regarding the Marijauna and zoning issues. Clerk Hippler wanted to know is this attorney had already been consulted. Also suggested a local attorney with similar expertise in municipal law would be desirable as Attorney Kaufman’s office is in Portage, MI. Supervisor Jager stated Attorney Kaufman is an expert, he has already discussed the matter with her firm which he has authority to do as Supervisor. Vote: Ayes: Treasurer Halbower, Supervisor Jager, Trustee Jage. Nays: Trustee Schroeder. Abstained: Clerk Hippler. CARRIED

090519 Treasurer Halbower made a motion to approve payment of $300 for the Building Inspector to attend the Code Officials Conference. Second by Trustee Schroeder. Discussion: Trustee Jager asked Mr. Marrotta if he worked for any townships other than Holton. He does not. Trustee Schroeder stated that if an inspector worked for other townships, they should pay part of the cost or it should fall on the inspector. It is the township’s interest to have an inspector who is knowledgeable and up to date with training. Vote: CARRIED.
090619 Trustee Jager was pleased to make a motion to appoint Bryan Hawk to the position of Fire Chief at Holton Fire Department. Second by Treasurer Halbower. CARRIED.

090719 Trustee Jager made a motion to hire and appoint Mike McGhan to the position of Assistant Fire Chief at Holton Fire Department. Second by Trustee Schroeder. Discussion: Board wondered about issue with Mr. McGhan living in a different township.  Mr. McGhan has permission to work in a different township and will provide fresh eyes and 22 years of experience to HFD. Vote: CARRIED.
090819 Treasurer Halbower made a motion to approve payment of $400 for Medical First Responder Training. Second by Trustee Jager. CARRIED.
090919 Trustee Jager made a motion to approve the purchase of a replacement garage door from Holton garage Door for $2450. Second by Clerk Hippler. CARRIED.

091019 Trustee Jager made a motion to approve the purchase of an LED sign for the Fire Station for $1,785. Second by Trustee Schroeder. Discussion: Supervisor Jager noted discussion before was that the Township would cover half the cost to ensure equal use. Interim Chief Grabinski stated FD was able to cover the entire cost after saving on other projects and the sign would be available for Township/community use. Vote:CARRIED.
091119 Treasurer Halbower made a motion to approve the purchase of 2 Perfect Purple Crabapple Trees for Swenson park for $140 each. Second by Trustee Schroeder. Discussion: Trustee Jager wondered if it would be better to wait to purchase until the contract with CSX was settled. Vote: Ayes: Clerk Hippler, Trustee Schroeder, Treasurer Halbower, Supervisor Jager. Nays: Trustee Jager. CARRIED.

091219 Trustee Jager made a motion to approve the purchase of new tools and mounting brackets for the Fire Department for a total of $1088 from West Shore Fire. Second by Trustee Schroeder. CARRIED.

Future Business

Supervisor Jager presented a Resolution allowing Golf Carts and Utility Vehicles on Township Roads but not ATVs. Board will review and vote at the October meeting.

091319 Trustee Jager made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:33 pm. Second by Trustee Schroeder. ADJOURNED.

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah Hippler, Clerk
Draft until Approved.