Board of Trustees MinutesGTB Minutes
GTB Minutes Feb. 14, 2007 Members Present: Dennis Long, Monica Ashton, Ruth O’Mara, Terry Wright.
Members Absent: Shawn Kraycs.
Others Present: Jay L. Stephan, Jeff Cook, Larry Helvie, Jim Clements, Robert McReavy, Judy McReavy,
Ed Nellist.
Supervisor Wright called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Invocation & Pledge of Allegiance.
CORRESPONDENCE & REPORTS (No action required)
January recycling report, January Blight Enforcement report, January LMPOA newsletter, February COA newsletter, January E-911 Activity report, February Chamber News, Sheriff Dept 2006 Year End report, Building Dept report.
1. Approval of the January 10, 2007 minutes was set-aside until March meeting.
2. Treasurer’s Report for January was distributed and placed on file.
3. There were no citizens that wished to speak on non-agenda items.
4. Mr. Jim Clements, representing a coalition of several northern Michigan county groups concerned with clear-cutting of state lands and the diminishing deer population addressed the Board. He distributed packets of relevant information and copies of two petitions concerning the above subjects for interested parties to circulate and forward to Lansing.
The Coalition is approaching County Boards of Commissioners and Township Boards seeking support in an effort to convince the powers that make the decisions regarding clear-cutting and hunting licenses that their current practices are not working and are severely effecting the recreation, tourism and natural resources industries of the state and should be changed. Representatives M. Gillard and J. Sheltrown are taking an active lead in this matter and will address the Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources Committee at a hearing on clear-cutting in mid-March.
Others speaking in favor of curbing the above practices were Jay L. Stephan, Bob &Judy McReavy, Larry Helvie and Ed Nellist.
5. Motion by Long, second by O’Mara, to authorize the Supervisor to draft a resolution to be forwarded to the Governor, our Senators, Representatives and County Board of Commissioners regarding the following:
A. Oppose clear-cutting as a major forest management practice. (propose moratorium)
B. Disagree with the proposal to increase hunting license fees.
C. ORV’s on recreational forestland. Ayes; four, Nays; none, Absent; one. Motion carried.
6. Motion by Ashton, second by Ashton, to approve refund of a portion of Planning Commission fee for withdrawn Case #06-04SU in the amount of $215.30 to Terry VanDeCar. Ayes; four, Nays; none, Absent; one. Motion carried.
7. Bids were received from two firms for the position of Grayling Township Auditor for FY 2006-07. After considerable discussion, a motion was made by Long and seconded by O’Mara, to enter into a three year contract with Keskine, Cook, Miller and Alexander LLP of Gaylord for Grayling Township’s Annual Audit for the amount of $5,500.00 per year. Ayes; four, Nays; none, Absent; one. Motion carried.
8. Consensus of the Board that Supervisor be authorized to consult the Township Attorney concerning legalities of seeking a cease and desist order against Susan Thiel and the MDNR Forestry Division regarding clear-cutting and road closing practices on state land in Grayling Township.
9. Motion by Long, second by O’Mara, that Grayling Township not establish a Fire Board of Appeals at this time but proceed through the court system with the litigants named in the fire code violation. Ayes; four, Nays; none, Absent; one. Motion carried.
10. Board members reviewed the Fiscal Year-to-date Budget Report presented by Ashton.
11. Motion by Long, second by Ashton, to adopt a Fiscal Year End Close date of March 31 upon becoming a Charter Township. Ayes; four, Nays; none, Absent; one. Motion carried.
12. Motion by Long, second by Ashton, to approve payment of claims on vouchers 5082 through 5155, Board & Comm. Fees of $420.00, Liquor inspections of $120.00 and Fire Dept construction loan payment of $11,040.71 for a grand total of $83,635.55. Ayes; four, Nays; none, Absent; one. Motion carried.
13. Motion to adjourn, carried. (8:15 p.m.) Ayes; four, Nays; none, Absent; one. Motion carried.
Monica Ashton, C.M.C.
Grayling Township Clerk
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