Helena Township Board Meeting

August 13th, 2015

Meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Supervisor Rick Teague.  Present:  Catherine Rice, David Peterson, Bonnie Robbins and Butch Bartz. Motion to approve agenda by Robbins with support by Bartz and motion carried.

Conflict of Interest: None

Public Comment: Laura Westerman spoke about roadway congestion July 3^rd at the ball park.

Approval of minutes: Motion by Bartz to approve July’s minutes with support by Robbins and the motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report:  Township:  Beginning balance as of July1^st, 2015               $393,193.90                                                                                                                       

                                                         Receipts                                                               $50,973.64

                                                         Disbursements                                                     $36,729.05

                                                         Bank balance 07/31/2015                                  $407,438.49

Motion to approve the Treasurer’s report by Robbins with support by Bartz and motion carried.

Presentation of bills:  July 1-31, 2015 – $27,226.14 and August 1-13; 2015 – $8,779.84.                               

Speakers: None

Communications: None

Committee Reports:

Zoning – Zoning Administrator Guy Molby gave report for July, 2015.  Molby to notify the supervisor when land use permit is issued in order to address the escrow account.

Planning Commission – Robbins reported the master plan to be completed in September.  A special use permit was issued for a wine tasting room.

Ambulance Authority – The ambulance authority has received billing authority for ambulance services.

Parks and Recreation Committee – There will be a public informational meeting for the proposed light/lighthouse at the Alden Safe Harbor September 15^th during the Parks & Recreation Committee meeting.

Roads:  Bartz reported that both road projects have been prepped for paving: both ends of Cemetery road and Paige road from E. Torch Lake Drive to Chapman Road.

Old Business: None

New Business:  Teague made the motion to increase the land division fees from $25 to $40 with support by Bartz and the motion carried.

Peterson presented board with bid from Ahrens Asphalt Paving & Sealcoating for paving three sections of roadway in the Helena Township Cemetery.  Teague made the motion to accept the $19,850.00 bid from Ahrens with support by Bartz and the motion carried.

Peterson requested an increase from $10 to $12 per hour for election workers and an increase for $12 to $14 per hour for the election chairperson; the last increase was October 1, 2008.  Rice made the motion to increase the $10 to $12 per hour for election workers and increase the $12 to $14 per hour for the election chairperson with support by Teague and motion carried.

Announcements: None

Additional Public comment: Benthic barriers to be installed on the bottom in the Alden Safe Harbor.  Alden school graduation pictures to be donated to the Historical Society.  Comments by Jim Gurr.

Motion to pay bills: Teague made motion to pay bills with support by Robbins and motion carried.

Meeting was adjourned by call of the Chair at 7:55 PM.

Respectfully submitted, David G. Peterson Jr., Helena Township Clerk_     David G. Peterson Jr.