1-8-07 Minutes

LINCOLN TOWNSHIP
CLARE COUNTY
P.O. BOX 239
LAKE GEORGE, MI 48633
989-588-9841

Minutes for January 8, 2007

Gene Ringley, Supervisor
Carol L. Majewski, Clerk
Lori L. West, Treasurer
Joyce A. Branam, Trustee
Gerald E. Galloway, Trustee

Minutes
Regular Meeting
Lincoln Township Board
08 January, 2007

Supervisor Ringley called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.

Pledge of allegiance.

Present were, West, Branam, Ringley and Majewski. Absent – Galloway. Also present were building Insp. Mantei, Planning Chair Bergey, Planning member Chapman, Fire Chief Majewski, County Comm. Grim and Lockmiller, Fire Fighter Bury, Lakes Dir. Carey, Road Comm. Engineer Stocking and 9 other interested persons.

Minutes of the 11 December 2006 meeting accepted after correction reflecting that Kim Hamilton is the Zoning Board Chair, rather than the Zoning Admin.

Treasurers report was accepted as presented.

Motion by Branam to pay the monthly bills, second by Ringley, roll call vote, 4 yeas, 0 nays, motion carried.

Chief Majewski read the fire dept. minutes and reported 313 runs for 2006 which is the most runs in one year that the fire dept. has had. Majewski reported 28 rescue, 3 mutual aid, and 2 fire runs for the month of December.

Motion by Ringley to approve the White Birch Lakes fire personnel recommended solution, second by Branam, West – opposed, Branam – yea, Ringley – yea, Majewski – opposed, tie vote, no action taken.

Motion by Branam to approve the Zoning Board of Appeals for three year terms as Lori West, Board Liason, Member Eric Reinke, Member Marty Perkins, Chairman Kim Hamilton, Planning Rep. Ron Chapman, alternate planning reps, Bill Bergey and Ken Osborn, second by West, all in favor, motion carried.

Motion by Ringley to approve a freeze on using the lawyer unless you have approval from the Supervisor or 2 Board members, unless it is ongoing litigation or normal board business, second by West, all in favor, motion carried.

Motion by Branam to adjourn the meeting, second by West, all in favor, meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

Carol L. Majewski, Clerk

Minutes
Work Session
Lincoln Township Board
08 January, 2007

Supervisor Ringley called the work session to order at 6:40 pm.

Roll call present were West, Branam, Ringley and Majewski. Absent – Galloway. Also present were 4 other interested persons.

Ringley read the letter from Merle Harmon of Lincoln Sanitation regarding the leaf/yard waste pick up. Harmon presented 3 options to the township in his letter. The board discussed the cost of the 3 suggestions. It was decided that of the 3 options, none were financially feasible to the township. We will possibly re-open the contract or have maintenance do a weekly pick up. Ringley suggested that we may want to consider discussing with Harmon the possibility of Lincoln Sanitation doing trash pick up every other week in January, February and March. This would keep costs down and reduce fuel surcharges.

The current situation with White Birch Lakes regarding fire and rescue response was discussed. Ringley presented a written recommendation for consideration. Majewski expressed concern that encouraging fire and rescue personnel to respond alone to a scene may result in placing that firefighter in danger. West expressed concern that fire and rescue personnel going to a scene alone and rendering aid has no witness to their actions. Branam recognized Majewski’s concerns and West’s concerns, and feels that the situation is double edge sword. Ringley stated that his recommendation only applies to White Birch Lakes Subdivision.

Ringley recommended that we put a freeze on lawyer use. He suggested that any one needing to contact the townships attorney need to have permission from Ringley or 2 board members, not to include pending litigation or normal board function. It was agreed by all that this was a reasonable solution to help keep lawyer fees down.

West suggested that planning present their proposed ordinances and zoning changes to the board prior to the attorney in order for the board to review and ask questions. Currently, planning generally sends such proposals to the attorney first and then brings to the board for approval. If the board wants to add or delete something it then has to go back to the attorney. West’s suggestion would save on attorneys fees. It was agreed by the board that the planning commission will follow this process.

Motion by Branam to adjourn the work session, second by West, all in favor, session adjourned at 7:30 pm.

Carol L. Majewski, Clerk