Hillsdale Township Board Minutes
05/12/2015 Regular Meeting
Township Hall Hillsdale MI 49242
Board Members Present: Keefer, Emery, Sullivan, Lantis, and Marsh.
Guests: George Berg, Jack McLain, Ruth Brown, Jack TenEyck, Shean Donihue, Rod Stewart, Michelle
Wilxox, Batterson Family
Supervisor Sullivan called the meeting to order at 6:33 pm with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Motion to approve agenda, Sullivan/Lantis 5-0
Guests: Ruth Brown, county commissioner, provided her report before the meeting in an electronic format. She answered questions from the Board. Lantis noted that she appreciated the format and information Ruth provides.
There were no public comments on the agenda items.
Correspondence: Dekker Agency sent an inquiry to see if we wanted Terrorism coverage. No action was taken so we will respond no. They also sent a Zoning Questionnaire which Marsh will complete and return. Consumers Energy will be conducting a field survey of the existing streetlights.
Consent Agenda:
This month’s payments were presented by Marsh: $18,462.96 which includes a last minute priority bill for the fire department. New sheets will be printed for the Board and placed in the meeting binders.
Board minutes of the 4/14/2015 were accepted.
Planning Commission minutes were reviewed.
Fire Board Chief’s reports were reviewed.
Treasurer’s report: Current balance: $620,046.82 which does not include a recent deposit of $23,000.00.
Summer tax bills will be going out in June so newsletter info will be needed
Motion to approve consent agenda Sullivan/Keefer 5-0
Old Business: Republic Waste did not provide a new contract yet. Sullivan will follow up.
Batterson special use permit: The Planning Commission recommended that any mention of a gravel road determining a special use permit be eliminated. Sullivan will check with the lawyer to see if every resident that lives on a gravel road will have to be notified of the public hearing. Possible time frame would be for the Planning Commission to hold the public hearing at their June meeting and then make a recommendation to the Board. The Board could then respond at their July meeting. If the zoning change takes place then Mr. Batterson’s special use permit for a campground would go into effect.

Fire Dept. Transfer. The transfer of the vehicles just took place and the new name was painted on the trucks.
Spring Clean Up: The dumpsters were filled by 10:30 am
Election Re-Cap: 25% voter turnout and the proposal was defeated 127 yes to 278 no
New Business:
Assessor: Sullivan is making contacts for a new assessor. We encouraged Ruth Brown to check out resources at the county level.
Appointments to the planning commission: Sullivan recommended and Marsh supported a motion to appoint Steve Wood Passed 5-0. Sullivan will contact Mr. Wood.
Headwaters: Rod Stewart, one of our representatives on the Headwater Board gave a presentation of the current status. Motion to fund Headwaters in the amount of $750 if the other 3 member communities also participate to move forward for engineering one leg of the trail system.
Sullivan/Marsh 5-0
Hall Improvements: Motion to spend no more than $4000 on creating a kitchen in the old board room.
Sullivan/Lantis 5-0. Trustee Emery will supervise the work by B & A (Bob Billman)
Sexton’s report: In Joe Sanford’s absence, Trustee Keefer gave a lengthy presentation concerning natural burials, plotting out King Lake Cemetery with new records and pictures, and prices to stabilize the current grave markers at King Lake. He requested the Board give it some thought so action can be taken in the near future.
Zoning Officer’s report: Zoning permits have been issued for two house, two decks, and a garage addition. Letters have gone out concerning rubbish.
HRFD: They are looking for options for a new Jaws of Life.
Public Comments: None
Motion passed to adjourn at 8:05 Sullivan/Keefer 5-0
Respectfully Submitted, James Marsh